Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat arrived at Kurukshetra by Shatabdi Express on Wednesday, 14 May and cycled nearly the entire stretch from the railway station to Gurukul, reinforcing his personal pledge to abandon air travel and trim his security convoy as part of a nationwide fuel conservation drive. The gesture, rooted in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for ‘economic self-defence’ amid global energy uncertainty, drew participation from roughly 200 cyclists including athletes from the Sports Authority of India (SAI).

The Journey: Train, Then Two Wheels

The Governor reached Kurukshetra railway station at approximately 9.30 am and was received by citizens and members of the Gurukul community. He then pedalled through Railway Road, Arya Samaj Market, Panorama Chowk, and Birla Mandir via Kurukshetra University Road before arriving at the Gurukul. OSD Dr Rajendra Vidyalankar and Gaurav Arya accompanied the cycling rally alongside the SAI contingent.

What the Governor Said

Addressing students and residents at the programme, Acharya Devvrat urged citizens to reduce fuel consumption and prioritise swadeshi products. “Every citizen should contribute towards making India a developed nation by purchasing swadeshi products in order to strengthen the country’s economy and monetary position,” he said, framing the effort as integral to achieving PM Modi’s ‘Viksit Bharat’ vision.

On his own travel choices, he was categorical: “Until the country’s petroleum situation stabilises, I will not use helicopters or air travel for official engagements within Gujarat.” He added that despite holding Z+ security status, he had directed officials to keep convoy vehicles to the bare minimum. “Only the minimum number of vehicles will be used despite the Z-plus security arrangement, with the aim of conserving fuel,” he said. Students were urged to carry the conservation message “from house to house.”

Broader Austerity Push Across BJP-Ruled States

The Governor’s actions sit within a wider austerity wave that followed PM Modi’s recent appeal for fuel economy amid rising import costs and global market volatility. Several Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled states and senior leaders have since announced reduced convoy sizes, capped official travel, and greater use of public transport. Notably, Acharya Devvrat has also directed all state universities in Gujarat to observe one ‘combustion engine-free’ or ‘No Vehicle Day’ every week, encouraging students and faculty to use bicycles, electric vehicles, or public transport in place of petrol and diesel vehicles.

Natural Farming Push at Kurukshetra Gurukul

The Governor also highlighted his Gram Kalyan programme, under which he visits one village every week in Gujarat and stays overnight in government schools to promote natural farming, de-addiction, cleanliness, tree plantation, and value-based education. He said natural farming had been practised for the past 10 years on 200 acres at Kurukshetra Gurukul and claimed the model had inspired approximately 8.5 lakh farmers in Gujarat to adopt the method. According to him, farmers practising natural farming are reportedly saving between ₹5 lakh and ₹8 lakh annually per acre, with soil fertility also improving as a result.

With state governors and BJP leaders visibly aligning behind the fuel-saving message, the coming weeks will test whether symbolic gestures translate into sustained policy shifts at the institutional level.