Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a public meeting at the Parade Grounds in Secunderabad on May 10, 2026. | Photo credit: G. Ramakrishna
Amid heightened global oil prices and an energy crisis triggered by the US-Iran war, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (May 10, 2026) called for collective participation to help the country weather global economic uncertainty, supply chain disruptions and inflationary pressures.
He urged citizens to adopt what he described as a “nationally responsible” lifestyle and encourage the use of local products, asking “how can a nation progress when we are dependent on imports for everything”.
Mr Modi appealed to people to avoid non-essential purchases of gold for a year to reduce pressure on foreign exchange outflows and advised against foreign travel. He said maintaining foreign exchange reserves was an act of patriotism and urged people to avoid overseas holidays and foreign weddings. He bet on domestic tourism and celebrations in the country.
He suggested reviving some of the practices adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic, including work-from-home arrangements, online conferences and virtual meetings.
In a 30-minute address at a public meeting at the Parade Grounds in Hyderabad, the Prime Minister spoke about strengthening India’s economic resilience and promoting responsible living. He called for a reduction in petrol and diesel consumption, the promotion of the use of rail and metro public transport, car-pooling and freight rail, in addition to the wider introduction of electric vehicles.
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Mr. Modi said patriotism is not limited to sacrificing one’s life for the country but also means fulfilling one’s responsibility towards the nation in difficult times. Emphasizing that protecting national interests is not the responsibility of any government or political party, he said every citizen, political party and organization should work together to help the country overcome global challenges. In this regard, he sought the support of the media.
Referring to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine war on the global economy, the prime minister said supply chains had been severely disrupted and prices of food, fuel and fertilizers had risen internationally. Despite these pressures, he said, the Center is protecting farmers from the burden of rising fertilizer prices through subsidies. He said fertilizer bags costing nearly ₹3,000 in the international market were being supplied to Indian farmers for less than ₹300.
The Prime Minister called for a stronger implementation of the ‘Vocal for Local’ campaign and appealed to people to prefer locally made (swadeshi) products, including daily necessities such as shoes, bags and accessories. He asked families to reduce consumption of edible oil, saying it would benefit both the country’s economy and public health.
The prime minister expressed concern over the excessive use of chemical fertilizers, saying the practice was damaging soil health and increasing dependence on imports. He urged farmers to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers by up to 50% and gradually switch to natural farming practices. He promoted the use of solar irrigation pumps instead of diesel generator sets for agriculture.
“There is a situation where we are even forced to import cooking oil. We must achieve self-sufficiency in edible oils. The use of fertilizers should be reduced to protect the fertility of the soil. We must examine the products we use in our homes. Most of our daily necessities come from foreign countries. How can a nation progress when we depend on imports for everything? Everyone should not commit to using more indigenous Swade products in their daily lives. politics,” Mr. Modi said.
Union Ministers G. Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay, state BJP chief N. Ramachandra Rao and other senior leaders attended the rally.
Published – 10 May 2026 22:12 IST
