Save fuel, WFH, online classes, no gold: PM repeats appeal amid West Asia crisis

In Vadodra, PM Modi once again urged citizens to cut fuel use, postpone gold purchases, adopt work-from-home practices and avoid unnecessary foreign spending amid economic uncertainty caused by tensions and supply disruptions in West Asia.

In Short

• PM Modi repeats his appeal to curb fuel use and imports amid crisis
• Encouraged people to use metro services, electric buses, carpooling
• Links broader economic caution to uncertainty from Middle East war

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday renewed his appeal for austerity measures to reduce pressure on India’s economy amid rising tensions in West Asia, urging citizens to conserve fuel, postpone gold purchases, adopt work-from-home practices and reduce unnecessary spending involving foreign exchange.

Addressing a gathering in Gujarat's Vadodara, PM Modi said the world was passing through a prolonged phase of instability, beginning with the Covid-19 pandemic and now worsening due to the conflict in West Asia.

"I appeal to every citizen of my country to reduce the use of petrol and diesel as much as possible. Use the metro, make greater use of electric buses and public transport, and promote carpooling. Those who have a car should take more people along in one vehicle," the Prime Minister said.

Furthermore, the Prime Minister also reiterated his appeal to employers to encourage work from home culture.

"Digital technology has now made so many things easy that technology's assistance will also be very beneficial for us. It is essential that priority be given to virtual meetings and work from home in both government and private offices," he said.

The Prime Minister's remarks came amid growing concerns over global oil prices, shipping disruptions and economic volatility linked to the conflict in West Asia.

PM Modi also pushed for greater use of online systems in daily functioning, recalling how remote working and virtual communication became common during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Alongside fuel conservation, he urged citizens to postpone gold purchases until global conditions stabilise, noting that India spends large amounts of foreign exchange on gold imports every year.

"A huge amount of the country's money also goes abroad on gold imports. Therefore, I would urge all of you, my fellow countrymen, to postpone the purchase of gold until the situation returns to normal," he said.

Calling for reduced dependence on imported products, PM Modi urged citizens to strengthen the “Vocal for Local” campaign by choosing domestically manufactured goods and supporting local businesses.

"India spends lakhs of crores of rupees in foreign exchange to import many products from abroad. At the same time, the prices of imported goods are soaring, and global supply chains have also been severely disrupted," he said.

The Prime Minister also urged citizens to avoid unnecessary foreign travel and overseas destination weddings, saying such practices lead to heavy foreign exchange outflows. He said families should instead explore destinations within India for vacations and weddings.

"The moment the holidays begin, children are handed tickets to go abroad. The trend nowadays is to travel overseas, often for destination wedding. This trend of destination weddings abroad is growing rapidly. However, consider the fact that this entails a significant expenditure of foreign currency. Ask yourselves that are there no places within India where we can spend our vacations," PM Modi said.

"It is essential that we celebrate our vacations right here in India. Furthermore, even when it comes to weddings, I do not believe there could be any place more beautiful or sacred for us than our own India," he added.

Pitching Gujarat's Statue of Unity as a wedding destination, PM Modi suggested that dedicated wedding infrastructure should be developed at the site.

"You should now make it a point to hold your weddings right at the Statue of Unity. At every single one of your weddings held there, Sardar Sahab himself will be present to shower you with his abundant blessings," he said, referring to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

The Prime Minister's appeal comes amid mounting concerns over the prolonged US-Iran conflict, which has now stretched into its third month with no breakthrough in sight after the latest peace initiative ran into trouble. US President Donald Trump has described Iran's response to a proposed peace agreement aimed at ending hostilities as "totally unacceptable".

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