PM Modi hails 'janbhagidari' as Indians cut gold buys, fuel use amid global crisis
Synopsis
In the 135th Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi revealed that Indians responded to his crisis-time appeals by skipping gold at weddings, carpooling to work, and switching to organic farming — framing mass voluntary behaviour change as India's most underrated policy tool in a global energy emergency.
Key Takeaways
PM Modi praised public response to his crisis appeals during the 135th episode of 'Mann Ki Baat' on 28 June .
Citizens reportedly avoided gold purchases for weddings, choosing instead to recycle old jewellery.
Commuters shifted to carpooling, buses, and metro, helping conserve petrol and diesel .
Farmers across multiple regions have reportedly increased use of organic fertilisers .
Modi linked the public response to the concept of 'janbhagidari' (people's participation) as a national asset during the West Asia-linked global energy crisis .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, 28 June praised the overwhelming public response to his appeals for fuel conservation, reduced gold purchases, and curtailed foreign travel, calling it a vivid demonstration of 'janbhagidari' — people's participation — in national service. He made the remarks during the 135th episode of his monthly radio programme, 'Mann Ki Baat'.
What Modi Said
"When a nation's soul resides in its people and when the people of that country make a resolve, no power can deter them from their goals," Modi said. "The power of 'janbhagidari' in nation-building is a tremendous asset for India. We experience this janbhagidari time and time again."
The Prime Minister recalled that against the backdrop of a war-like situation in West Asia and the resulting global energy crisis, he had urged citizens to temporarily refrain from buying gold, avoid vacationing abroad, adopt carpooling, and shift to organic farming. He said the public's response had exceeded expectations.
How Citizens Responded
Modi said families across the country shared their experiences through messages and on social media. Several households reportedly decided to forgo gold purchases for weddings, opting instead to recycle old jewellery into new pieces. Many individuals wrote publicly about postponing international travel plans.
On the fuel-saving front, commuters who previously drove alone daily have begun carpooling, while bus and metro ridership has reportedly increased. "This has helped to save petrol and diesel," Modi noted. Reports of wider organic fertiliser adoption are also emerging from multiple regions, he added, crediting farmers for heeding his appeal.
The Broader Context
The appeals were made in the context of global energy market stress linked to the West Asia conflict, which has pushed crude oil prices higher and strained India's import bill. India is the world's third-largest oil importer and one of the largest gold consumers, making citizen-level behavioural shifts meaningful at a macroeconomic scale.
This is not the first time Modi has used 'Mann Ki Baat' to mobilise public behaviour — the programme has previously been a platform for campaigns ranging from Swachh Bharat cleanliness drives to vocal for local consumption nudges. The consistent thread is leveraging mass civic participation as a policy complement.
Modi's Closing Message
Expressing gratitude to every citizen who cooperated, Modi said, "I am happy to see that we are dealing with this global crisis together. I am sure that this power of janbhagidari will make us stronger." The remarks signal that the Centre views voluntary public compliance as a credible instrument alongside formal economic policy in managing external shocks.
Point of View
Not discretionary — driven by wedding seasons, agricultural cycles, and commute infrastructure gaps that no radio appeal can durably alter. The more interesting question is whether these anecdotal responses represent a genuine macroeconomic signal or a feel-good moment that flatters the narrative of national unity without moving the underlying numbers. Mann Ki Baat has a proven reach, but reach and compliance are not the same thing.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'janbhagidari' and why did PM Modi invoke it?
'Janbhagidari' means people's participation in Hindi. Modi invoked it during Mann Ki Baat's 135th episode on 28 June to describe the public's voluntary response to his appeals for fuel conservation, reduced gold buying, and less foreign travel during the global energy crisis triggered by the West Asia conflict.
What specific appeals had PM Modi made to citizens?
Modi had urged citizens to temporarily avoid buying gold, skip foreign vacation travel, adopt carpooling, and switch to organic farming. He made these appeals in the context of a war-like situation in West Asia that was straining global energy markets.
How did Indians reportedly respond to Modi's appeals?
According to Modi, families chose to recycle old gold rather than buy new jewellery for weddings, individuals postponed foreign travel, commuters began carpooling and using public transport more, and farmers in multiple regions increased organic fertiliser use.
What is Mann Ki Baat and how often does it air?
Mann Ki Baat is Prime Minister Narendra Modi's monthly radio programme, broadcast on All India Radio. The episode on 28 June was its 135th instalment and is typically used to communicate directly with citizens on civic, cultural, and national themes.
Why does India's gold and fuel consumption matter in a global energy crisis?
India is the world's third-largest oil importer and one of the largest consumers of gold globally. Any reduction in demand — even voluntary and temporary — can have a measurable impact on the country's import bill and current account deficit, particularly during periods of elevated global commodity prices.
