Reduce energy consumption, delay gold purchase, urges PM Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday appealed to citizens to collectively adopt some resolutions to help the country cut down on its energy consumption to save foreign exchange, which will India face global economic disruptions, supply-chain challenges, and rising prices caused by international conflicts.

The PM suggested several austerity meas­ur­es, which he said, would be an act of patrio­tism.

Modi asked farmers to cut the consumption of chemical fertilisers by at least up to 50 per cent. He urged middle class Indians to cut down on foreign vacations and opt to travel within India, pick Indian instead of foreign destinations for weddings, abjure from purchasing gold and gold jewellery for the next one year, return to some of the changes that took place during the Covid-19 pandemic, such as working from home and holding virtual meetings, whenever possible. “It is our responsibility to save foreign exchange that the country spends in purchasing oil,” the PM said.

Addressing a Bharatiya Janata Party event in Hyderabad, the PM said patriotism is not only about sacrificing one’s life for the nation, but also about living responsibly and fulfilling duties towards the country during difficult times. He said India spends precious foreign exchange on purchasing oil. He said the prices of oil, gas and fertilisers had skyrocketed because of the West Asia conflict, and the government tried to shoulder the burden over the past two months so that common people were not inconvenienced.

However, supply-chain challenges have increased and the people need to meet these with the spirit of unity. Performing ones duties for the country is as much an act of patriotism as achieving martyrdom for the country, the PM said. The PM suggested resolves such as people reducing their fuel consumption, using the metro network in cities, wherever it is available, car-pooling if car travel is essential, and send their good in freight trains since they run on electricity.

He blamed trade unionism for closure of copper plants, and asked trade unions to understand the national interest. The PM said people need to use energy judiciously. He said citizens could help the country by prioritising Made-in-India and locally manufactured products, including daily-use items such as shoes, bags, and accessories, and adopt the mantra of ‘vocal for local’.

The PM asked people not buy new foreign products.

“We should list all that we use in our homes, many of which is foreign manufactured, including scissors and other things of daily needs, and find replacements manufactured in India.”