New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has triggered a nationwide debate after urging Indians to revive several Covid-era habits — including work from home, online meetings and reduced travel — to help the country tackle rising global economic pressure caused by the ongoing West Asia conflict.
Addressing a public gathering in Hyderabad, the Prime Minister appealed to citizens to use petrol, diesel and other imported fuel products “with restraint”, warning that global tensions have increased pressure on supply chains, oil prices and India’s foreign exchange reserves.
Recalling the Covid-19 period, Modi said systems such as work-from-home, virtual meetings and video conferencing had already proven effective in reducing unnecessary travel and fuel consumption. He urged offices and institutions to consider bringing those practices back wherever possible.
The Prime Minister also advised citizens to prefer metros and public transport, adopt carpooling, reduce edible oil consumption and avoid “non-essential” gold purchases for a year. He further encouraged people to postpone unnecessary foreign trips and support locally manufactured products to reduce pressure on India’s economy.
However, the remarks quickly turned political. The Congress party attacked the government, questioning why the country had reached a stage where citizens were being asked to alter daily lifestyles due to international tensions. Senior Congress leaders accused the Centre of lacking a strong contingency plan despite the global crisis continuing for months.
What made the appeal resonate online was its familiarity. For many Indians, Modi’s speech sounded like a flashback to the pandemic years — when work-from-home, digital meetings and controlled consumption became part of everyday life.
But this time, the concern is not a virus. It is the fear of a global economic shock driven by war, oil prices and rising import costs.