Padma Shri awardees from Chhattisgarh back Modi's fuel saving and organic farming push
Synopsis
Two Padma Shri awardees from Chhattisgarh — Usha Barle and Phoolbasan Bai Yadav — have publicly backed PM Modi's appeals on fuel saving, swadeshi products, healthy eating, and natural farming, with Yadav's group already running organic farming with around 500 farmers using cow dung manure.
Key Takeaways
Padma Shri awardees Usha Barle and Phoolbasan Bai Yadav from Chhattisgarh expressed support for PM Modi 's public appeals on 11 May 2025 .
Usha Barle backed Modi's carpooling message, noting shared travel can cut petrol and diesel use without raising costs.
She also supported the Prime Minister's emphasis on swadeshi products and reducing excessive oil in cooking for better health.
Phoolbasan Bai Yadav said her group has initiated organic farming with around 500 farmers using cow dung manure instead of chemical fertilisers in Rajnandgaon .
Yadav flagged rising vehicular pollution, saying it has made breathing difficult and contributed to more road accidents.
Two Padma Shri awardees from Chhattisgarh on Monday, 11 May voiced strong support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's public appeals on fuel conservation, promotion of indigenous products, healthier eating habits, natural farming, and pollution reduction. Their endorsements came from Raipur and Rajnandgaon, reflecting grassroots resonance for the Centre's behavioural-change messaging.
On Fuel Conservation and Carpooling
Padma Shri awardee Usha Barle said citizens should plan travel more thoughtfully to reduce petrol and diesel consumption. She cited Prime Minister Modi's example of shared travel:
Point of View
But the broader question is whether celebrity-adjacent validation translates into measurable behavioural change at scale. Modi's appeals on fuel saving and natural farming are consistent with recurring themes — from the Swachh Bharat era to the current push against chemical fertilisers — yet adoption data on organic farming and carpooling remain patchy. Phoolbasan Bai Yadav's 500-farmer organic initiative is a genuine on-ground example, but it is also a reminder that the gap between pilot success and systemic shift is rarely bridged by appeals alone. The government's school-level outreach, mentioned by Yadav, may be the more durable lever.
NationPress
12 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Padma Shri awardees from Chhattisgarh backed PM Modi's appeals?
Padma Shri awardees Usha Barle and Phoolbasan Bai Yadav from Chhattisgarh backed PM Modi's appeals on 11 May 2025. Barle spoke from Raipur on fuel conservation and swadeshi products, while Yadav spoke from Rajnandgaon on organic farming and pollution reduction.
What did Usha Barle say about fuel conservation?
Usha Barle supported PM Modi's carpooling message, saying that if one person's travel costs ₹1,000, four people travelling together may cost the same, making shared travel a practical way to save petrol and diesel. She also backed reducing oil in cooking for health benefits.
What is Phoolbasan Bai Yadav doing for organic farming?
Phoolbasan Bai Yadav's group has initiated organic farming with around 500 farmers in Rajnandgaon, using cow dung manure and other natural resources instead of chemical fertilisers. She also raised concerns about rising vehicular pollution making it harder to breathe.
What is the swadeshi message that PM Modi has promoted?
PM Modi has urged citizens to prioritise goods made within India and at home — whether food items or other products — arguing that using domestically produced goods benefits the country's economy and communities more broadly.
Why are these endorsements significant?
Padma Shri awardees are recognised by the government for distinguished service and carry credibility in their communities. Their public backing of the Prime Minister's behavioural-change appeals lends grassroots visibility to policy messaging on fuel saving, natural farming, and healthier lifestyles.
