Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday once again appealed to citizens to conserve petrol and diesel, reduce unnecessary imports and avoid activities that lead to excessive foreign currency expenditure, stressing that every Indian must contribute responsibly during periods of global uncertainty and economic disruption.
Speaking during the inauguration of the Sardardham Bhavan-3 hostel complex in Vadodara, PM Modi said Indians have historically stood united whenever the country faced war or major crises, and called for a similar spirit of collective responsibility today.
Referring to rising global commodity prices and disruptions in international supply chains, the Prime Minister urged citizens to adopt practical measures to reduce pressure on the country’s foreign exchange reserves and energy consumption.
“Every small and big effort matters,” PM Modi said, urging people to reduce dependence on imported goods, avoid unnecessary spending in foreign currency and support domestic economic resilience through responsible consumption habits.
As part of his appeal, the Prime Minister encouraged greater use of public transport, carpooling and electric vehicles to reduce petrol and diesel consumption. He also suggested that schools and educational institutions explore online classes wherever feasible to help minimise fuel usage associated with daily transportation.
In addition, PM Modi advised citizens to defer non-essential gold purchases, linking such discretionary imports to rising foreign exchange outflows at a time when global markets remain volatile.
The remarks came during the inauguration of the newly built Sardardham Bhavan-3, a Rs 150 crore educational and residential complex developed to support students preparing for competitive examinations such as UPSC, GPSC and other professional entrance tests.
The project forms part of the broader Sardardham educational framework inspired by the vision of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The expanded campus includes accommodation facilities for nearly 1,000 boys and 1,000 girls, along with libraries, digital learning infrastructure, mentoring systems and common academic spaces.
PM Modi also virtually laid the foundation stone for Phase-2 of the Dharamshi Harji Mordiya Girls Chhatralaya, aimed at increasing hostel access for female students pursuing higher education and competitive examinations.
Another key announcement during the programme was the launch of the ‘Sardar Dham Education Support Yojana’, a Rs 500 crore initiative focused on financial aid, mentoring, training and academic guidance for students from economically modest backgrounds.
During his visit, the Prime Minister toured multiple sections of the Sardardham campus, including the e-library, dining facilities and student amenities. He was also conferred with the ‘Sardar Gaurav Ratna’ award at the event.
Describing the Sardardham initiative as an important nation-building project, PM Modi said such institutions would serve as future “launchpads” for India’s youth by creating structured ecosystems for education, career development and civil service preparation.
