Online classes and remote work

        Calling on educational institutions to rethink their operations in the near term, Modi said arrangements for online classes should be considered for some time to reduce unnecessary movement and fuel consumption. He extended the same logic to the country’s offices, urging both government and private organisations to prioritise virtual meetings and work-from-home arrangements wherever possible. “Digital technology has now made so many things easy. It is essential that priority be given to virtual meetings and work from home in both government and private offices,” the Prime Minister said.

“I appeal to every citizen of my country to reduce the use of petrol-diesel as much as possible. Use the metro, make greater use of electric buses and public transport, and promote carpooling.” — PM Narendra Modi

A call for everyday change

            Highlighting the mounting pressure on global energy supply chains caused by the West Asia conflict, Modi made a direct appeal to every Indian citizen to consciously cut back on petrol and diesel usage in their daily lives. He encouraged greater use of the metro, electric buses, and public transport systems, and promoted carpooling as a practical and immediate way to reduce individual fuel consumption. The Prime Minister stressed that even small behavioural changes at the household and community level could collectively make a significant difference during periods of global uncertainty.

Vocal for Local

        The Prime Minister also used the occasion to reinforce his long-standing “Vocal for Local” message, urging citizens to choose Indian-made products over imported foreign goods as a means of strengthening economic self-reliance. He called on the public to turn the principle into a genuine people’s movement. “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,” Modi said, framing the current global crisis as an opportunity for India to deepen its domestic economic foundations.

The bigger picture

             Modi’s address comes at a time when the ongoing conflict in West Asia has sent fresh shockwaves through global oil markets, threatening energy security across import dependent nations. India, which relies heavily on crude oil imports to meet its energy needs, is particularly exposed to supply disruptions and price spikes. The Prime Minister’s call for collective public participation  spanning education, the workplace, and daily commuting habits  reflects a broader government strategy to prepare citizens for a potentially prolonged period of global energy volatility, while also using the moment to advance longer-term goals around digital adoption, public transport use, and self-reliance.