NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged citizens to revive work-from-home practices, online classes, virtual meetings and video conferences to help reduce fuel consumption and conserve foreign exchange amid the ongoing global energy crisis triggered by the conflict in West Asia.
Addressing a public gathering in Hyderabad, the Prime Minister said India must collectively act to reduce dependence on imported fuel and minimise unnecessary expenditure during a period of global uncertainty and supply chain disruptions.
Modi said systems adopted during the Covid-19 pandemic, including work-from-home arrangements, online meetings and virtual learning, should once again be encouraged in the national interest.
“During the Corona period, we adopted work from home, online meetings, video conferences and developed many such systems. We had also become accustomed to them. Today, the need of the hour is that we restart those practices,” the Prime Minister said.
He appealed to citizens to use petrol, diesel and gas “with great restraint” and stressed the importance of greater use of metro services, public transport, carpooling and electric vehicles to cut fuel consumption.
The Prime Minister also advised people to avoid unnecessary foreign travel, destination weddings abroad and non-essential gold purchases for at least one year in order to conserve foreign exchange reserves.
Highlighting the impact of global tensions on fuel prices and supply chains, Modi said responsible public behaviour and economic discipline were essential to safeguard India’s economic stability. He also called for greater support to “Made in India” products and domestic tourism.
The Prime Minister further urged farmers to reduce dependence on chemical fertilisers, adopt natural farming practices and increasingly use solar-powered irrigation pumps instead of diesel-run alternatives.
The remarks came amid rising concerns over global oil prices and energy supply disruptions linked to the continuing conflict in West Asia.
