Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday once again urged citizens across the country to conserve petrol and diesel, avoid unnecessary imports and reduce activities that lead to excessive foreign currency spending. Stressing the need for collective responsibility during a period of global uncertainty and economic pressure, the Prime Minister said every Indian must contribute through disciplined and practical everyday actions.

Addressing a gathering during the inauguration of the Sardardham Bhavan-3 hostel complex in Vadodara, PM Modi reminded citizens that India has always shown unity during difficult times, including wars and major national crises. Referring to the present global economic situation, he said the country once again needs the same spirit of public participation and national responsibility.

The Prime Minister spoke about the impact of rising international commodity prices and disruptions in global supply chains, which have affected economies across the world. In this situation, he appealed to people to adopt habits that can help reduce pressure on India’s foreign exchange reserves and energy requirements.

“Every small and big effort matters,” PM Modi said while encouraging citizens to reduce dependence on imported products, avoid unnecessary foreign currency expenditure and strengthen the domestic economy through responsible consumption.

As part of this appeal, the Prime Minister encouraged people to make greater use of public transport systems, adopt carpooling wherever possible and increasingly shift towards electric vehicles. According to him, such measures can significantly help in reducing the country’s petrol and diesel consumption at a time when fuel imports continue to place pressure on the economy.

PM Modi also suggested that schools and educational institutions should consider conducting online classes wherever feasible. He said reducing daily transportation linked to educational activities could help lower fuel usage and reduce avoidable energy consumption.

In another important appeal, the Prime Minister advised citizens to postpone non-essential gold purchases. He linked heavy gold imports to increasing foreign exchange outflows, especially at a time when international markets remain unstable and volatile. His remarks highlighted the broader concern regarding imports that place additional burden on the country’s foreign reserves.

The Prime Minister made these remarks during the inauguration of the newly constructed Sardardham Bhavan-3, a major educational and residential project built at a cost of Rs 150 crore. The complex has been developed to support students preparing for competitive examinations including UPSC, GPSC and several professional entrance tests.

The Sardardham initiative is part of a larger educational framework inspired by the vision of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The expanded campus has been designed to provide large-scale academic and residential support for students. It includes accommodation facilities for nearly 1,000 boys and 1,000 girls, along with libraries, digital learning systems, mentoring support and shared academic spaces aimed at improving preparation standards for competitive examinations.

During the programme, PM Modi also virtually laid the foundation stone for Phase-2 of the Dharamshi Harji Mordiya Girls Chhatralaya. The expansion project is intended to improve hostel access and educational support for female students pursuing higher education and preparing for competitive examinations.

Another major announcement made at the event was the launch of the ‘Sardar Dham Education Support Yojana’, a Rs 500 crore initiative focused on providing financial assistance, mentoring, academic training and educational guidance to students belonging to economically modest families. The scheme aims to improve educational opportunities and strengthen support systems for deserving students preparing for professional and civil service careers.

During his visit to the campus, the Prime Minister toured several facilities developed under the Sardardham project, including the e-library, dining areas and other student amenities. At the event, he was also honoured with the ‘Sardar Gaurav Ratna’ award.

Describing the Sardardham initiative as an important step in nation-building, PM Modi said such institutions will play a major role in shaping the future of India’s youth. He stated that these centres would function as future “launchpads” for young Indians by creating organised ecosystems for education, career growth and civil services preparation.

For more information related to the Sardardham initiative and public programmes, readers can explore Prime Minister’s Office India and Sardardham Official Website