NewsGate Press Network

The Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a general call to citizens across the country to adopt COVID era type austerity measures as a direct fallout of the on-going West Asia conflict that has affected global supply chain.

While addressing a rally in Hyderabad on Sunday the 10th of May 2026 the Prime Minister urged citizens to help the nation conserve petrol, diesel and foreign exchange reserves by using public transport, avoiding unnecessary foreign travel and refraining from non-essential gold purchases.

“Patriotism is not only about the willingness to sacrifice one’s life on the border. In these times, it is about living responsibly and fulfilling our duties to the nation in our daily lives,” Modi said.

The prime minister called for collective participation to help India face global economic disruptions, supply chain challenges, and rising prices triggered by international conflicts.

The PM said that citizens should use public transport as much as possible, increase the use of electric vehicles (EVs), revive Covid-era measures such as work-from-home arrangements and virtual meetings, avoid non-essential foreign travel and gold purchases for a year, and prioritise local goods, among other measures.

“Use metros wherever metros are available. Use carpooling to go to places, and use the Railways if you have to transport goods. All of this will reduce dependency on petrol and diesel, and thereby cut the dependence on foreign currency,” he said.

During a global crisis, such as the one caused by the conflict in West Asia, he said, “We have to take resolutions, keeping the country above all else.”

Modi also asked people to avoid no-essential gold purchases at last for one year.

He also added that unnecessary foreign travel should be avoided.