Chandrababu Naidu backs PM Modi's ‘seven appeals’ — says ‘national mission because of…’

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday endorsed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to strengthen India’s foreign exchange reserves, urging citizens to treat it as a national mission.

Speaking at the CII Annual Business Summit in New Delhi, he said the current geopolitical environment highlights the need for greater self-reliance and careful use of resources, according to the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).

Referring to the national mission outlined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, CM Chandrababu Naidu highlighted several key measures suggested to tackle emerging global challenges.

Resharing PM Modi's appeal, he said the Prime Minister had called for postponing gold purchases, promoting energy conservation, encouraging the use of public transport, adopting a work-from-home culture, reducing fertiliser consumption, and moving towards natural farming.

CM Naidu stressed that these measures are essential in the present global scenario marked by fuel and energy crises caused by international conflicts.

He also pointed to rising problems related to LPG, petrol, and diesel prices, saying countries that are not directly involved in wars are still suffering the consequences. In this context, he said work-from-home has become a practical solution, as technology now allows people to work efficiently from anywhere.

Addressing industrialists, especially the giants of the business community present at the summit, CM Naidu appealed to them to treat these reforms and conservation measures as a national mission rather than solely the responsibility of the Prime Minister, according to a release.

He expressed confidence that every crisis creates new opportunities and asserted that after overcoming the current global challenges, India would emerge stronger and become “unstoppable” on the global stage.

Speaking to reporters in Delhi, Naidu said, “The PM has given a national mission because of the geopolitical situation. Every one of us has to follow these principles.”

PM Modi, while addressing a gathering in Secunderabad on Sunday, urged citizens to prioritise work from home, cut fuel consumption, avoid foreign travel for a year, adopt Swadeshi products, reduce cooking oil use, shift to natural farming and curb gold purchases.

He stressed the need to reduce dependence on imports and said every household should cut down on edible oil consumption and move towards natural farming to help save foreign currency and protect the environment.

Highlighting the heavy dependence on imported chemical fertilisers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India spends a large amount of foreign exchange on fertiliser imports and encouraged farmers to reduce their usage.

He also called for changes in travel and transport habits to deal with fuel price volatility. He urged citizens to cut down on petrol and diesel consumption by using metro and public transport wherever possible, adopting carpooling when private vehicles are necessary, shifting more freight movement to railways, and gradually increasing the use of electric vehicles.

(With inputs from ANI)