Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday warned that the ongoing conflict in West Asia has created a global crisis affecting petrol and diesel supplies. Addressing citizens in the 132nd episode of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, he urged everyone to stay united, remain alert, and rely on official information amid the situation.
“The world is facing a crisis around petrol and diesel. Thanks to our strengthened global partnerships and domestic capabilities, India is prepared to face these challenges,” PM Modi said. He noted that even after emerging from the Covid pandemic, global instability continues to disrupt economic and energy systems.
Impact on Indians in Gulf Countries
The Prime Minister also spoke about the large number of Indians working in Gulf nations, who are directly affected by the conflict. “Relatives of lakhs of families live in the Gulf countries. I am grateful to these nations for providing every kind of support to over one crore Indians during this difficult time,” he said.
PM Modi cautioned citizens against rumours and stressed that the issue should not be politicised. “This concern affects 140 crore Indians. Those spreading rumours or politicising it are harming the country. Trust only the information provided by the government and stay vigilant,” he said.
Cultural and Educational Initiatives Highlighted
Beyond the crisis, PM Modi highlighted initiatives promoting India’s culture and youth participation. He spoke about the Gyan Bharatam Survey, encouraging citizens to share images and information about manuscripts from across the country. Contributions have included manuscripts in Tai, Gurmukhi, copper plates, and Tibetan scripts.
He praised the youth for participating in the Budget Quiz organized by MY Bharat. Nearly 12 lakh students took part, and over one lakh sixty thousand were selected for an essay competition. PM Modi shared, “I read essays where young people wrote about farmer welfare, women-led development, environmental protection, and rural sports. Their ideas are crucial for the nation’s progress.”
Sports Achievements and Fitness Focus
PM Modi also celebrated India’s T20 World Cup victory and Jammu & Kashmir’s first Ranji Trophy title in nearly seven decades. He highlighted athletes like Gulveer Singh, who became the first Indian to finish the New York City Half Marathon in under an hour, and 17-year-old squash player Anahat Singh, who entered the top-20 Asian ranking.
He encouraged citizens to focus on fitness and health, reminding them to reduce sugar and cooking oil intake. He also promoted Yoga Day, noting, “Yoga is attracting global attention, and people across continents are practising it.”
Water Conservation and Renewable Energy Efforts
The Prime Minister shared inspiring examples of water conservation. Wangmun village in Tripura installed rooftop rainwater harvesting systems in almost every household, while farmers in Chhattisgarh’s Korea district created small recharge ponds in their fields to improve groundwater levels. In Telangana’s Mudhigunta village, 400 families built soak pits at their homes, leading to a significant rise in groundwater.
PM Modi also highlighted the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, which provides solar electricity to remote households. He praised beneficiaries like Payal Munjpara from Gujarat and Arun Kumar from Meerut for using solar energy to become self-reliant. He also mentioned women in Nagaland preserving over 150 varieties of traditional seeds through community seed banks.
Collective Responsibility and Hope
PM Modi concluded by calling for unity and collective responsibility during challenging times. “These are difficult moments, but India will overcome these challenges. Let us stay alert, trust official sources, and support each other,” he said. He encouraged citizens to continue sharing positive stories from their communities, saying that public participation strengthens the nation.
