Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked Indians to cut back on spending and use resources wisely. He made this appeal during a speech in Hyderabad on 10 May. Modi wants people to bring back habits from the COVID-19 pandemic, like working from home and using public transport or carpooling to save fuel. He also urged citizens to delay buying gold, reduce the use of edible oil and fertilisers, limit foreign travel, and support local products by choosing “Made in India” goods.
Modi presented this call as a way for Indians to show patriotism and help protect the country’s foreign exchange reserves. This is amid rising oil prices and the ongoing crisis in West Asia. However, his request has led to criticism. Some people argue that it shows long-standing problems with economic policies rather than just reacting to external challenges.
This austerity drive highlights deep issues in India’s economy after more than a decade of Modi’s leadership. While he claims it is about managing the crisis wisely, others believe it reflects failures in how the country has been run.