Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday reiterated his appeal to help navigate the economic challenges due to the geopolitical tensions in West Asia, calling for people to take collective responsibility for reducing the burden on the nation's resources.
Addressing the gathering in Vadodara in Gujarat, he referred to the ongoing global crisis for the second time within 24 hours.
PM Modi said that the world has been passing through unstable conditions over the past few years – first the Covid crisis, then global economic challenges, and now rising tensions in West Asia. He said these situations have continued to impact the entire world, and India too has not remained untouched.
"Over the past few years, the world has been continuously passing through unstable circumstances. First, the crisis of COVID, then global economic challenges, and now the rising tensions in West Asia. The impact of all these situations is continuously falling on the entire world, and India is not untouched by it either," he said.
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PM Modi’s Appeal To Citizens
PM Modi appealed to citizens to reduce the use of petrol and diesel as much as possible. He urged people to use the metro, electric buses and public transport more frequently and promote carpooling.
"Those who have a car should take more people along in one vehicle. 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... 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. Today, the need of the hour is that we turn "Vocal for Local" into a people's movement. Instead of foreign goods, adopt local products. Empower the entrepreneurs of your village, your city, your country."
He added that digital technology has made many things easier, and its use can be highly beneficial. He stressed that both government and private offices should prioritise virtual meetings and work-from-home arrangements wherever possible.
‘West Asia Conflict One Of Biggest Crises Of This Decade’
PM Modi said that if the Covid pandemic were the biggest crisis of this century, then the situation created by the war in West Asia is among the biggest crises of this decade.
Calling for collective efforts to reduce imports, he said, "There is a need for all of us to come together and fulfil our responsibility to reduce the burden on the country's resources. 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. Just as every drop fills a pot, every small and big effort matters. We must reduce the use of products that come from abroad and avoid unnecessary dependence on imported goods in our daily lives, and also avoid such personal activities that involve spending foreign exchange."
‘Postpone Gold Purchases Until Situation Normalises’
The Prime Minister said a huge amount of the country’s money goes abroad through gold imports.
"A major share of India's imports comes from crude oil. Unfortunately, the very region that supplies oil to a large part of the world is currently caught in a situation of conflict and instability. Therefore, until conditions return to normal, all of us will have to take small yet meaningful resolutions in our daily lives for the larger interest of the nation."
He also called on people to turn “Vocal for Local” into a mass movement by choosing local products over foreign goods and supporting entrepreneurs from their villages, cities and across the country.
( With PTI Inputs )