New Delhi:Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged citizens to curb fuel use, revive working from home, pause gold purchases and reduce overseas travel to deal with a surge in global energy prices amid the continued crisis in the Middle East due to the Iran war.

Addressing a rally in Hyderabad, PM Modi noted that the austerity measures -- a reminder of the Covid-19 pandemic -- would reduce India's fuel consumption and help protect the country's foreign exchange reserves. 

"Patriotism is not only about the willingness to sacrifice one's life on the border. In these times, it is about living responsibly and fulfilling our duties to the nation in our daily lives," the prime minister said.

He said reducing gold imports and foreign travel would help conserve foreign currency reserves as higher oil prices increase pressure on India's import bill."In the current situation, we must place great emphasis on saving foreign exchange."

Source:Ndtv