Amid ongoing global uncertainty, including tensions in the Middle East and rising energy prices that have prompted PM Narendra Modi to recently highlight austerity measures such as working from home, reducing gold purchases, conserving fuel, and limiting non-essential spending, his visit to Gujarat also carried a strong emphasis on cultural continuity and national resilience.
The Prime Minister held a roadshow in Prabhas Patan during his two-day visit to Gujarat to mark 75 years of the consecration of the reconstructed and restored Somnath Temple.
He arrived in Jamnagar at the start of the visit, with extensive security arrangements and ceremonial welcomes planned across Jamnagar, Somnath, and Vadodara.
At Gir Somnath, a large number of people gathered along the nearly 1.5-km route from the helipad to Veer Hamirji Circle near the Somnath Temple to welcome him. The route featured cultural performances by artists from across India, including West Bengal, while devotees chanted slogans and waved flags as his convoy passed. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi accompanied him during the roadshow.
PM Modi also paid floral tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel before proceeding to the temple, where he performed key rituals including Vishesh Maha Puja, Kumbhabhishek, and Dhvajarohan, marking the consecration ceremonies and flag hoisting at the shrine.
On the occasion, he also released a special Rs 75 commemorative coin, issued through an official gazette notification, symbolising “1000 years of India’s unwavering faith and devotion.”
The Somnath Swabhiman Parv, part of the celebrations, recalls the temple’s historical resilience since the 1026 attack by Mahmud of Ghazni and highlights India’s spiritual heritage. After the event, he also inaugurated Sardardham-3 in Vadodara.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also extended greetings, calling the Somnath celebrations a powerful symbol of India’s spiritual consciousness and civilisational strength, reflecting continuity between heritage, unity, and national resolve.
PM offers prayers at temple
Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed the Mahapuja and Kumbhabhishek rituals at the Somnath Temple in Gujarat. He described the moment as one of the most emotional and unforgettable experiences of his life, especially as it coincided with 75 years since the reconstructed temple was reopened.
In a post on X, he said offering prayers to Mahadev on this historic occasion was deeply special and that the darshan and pujan filled him with immense spiritual strength and energy.
Modi urges caution amid global energy crisis
A few days before, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged Indians to adopt measures such as working from home, reducing gold purchases, and limiting foreign travel amid rising global energy prices driven by the ongoing Middle East crisis.
He said such austerity steps, similar to those during the Covid period, would help cut fuel consumption and save foreign exchange.
India, which imports around 90% of its oil, has seen a sharp rise in its crude import bill following the US–Israel conflict with Iran, while the Strait of Hormuz remains closed for over two and a half months, disrupting global oil supply.
Analysts described Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal at a public event in Hyderabad as his “most drastic” statement so far. He said patriotism today means responsible daily living, not just sacrifice at the borders, and stressed the need to save foreign exchange amid rising global energy prices.
He urged citizens to use public transport, prefer metro travel, carpool to save fuel, and asked farmers to cut fertiliser use by half. His remarks also impacted markets, with the Sensex falling over 1,000 points in early trade amid concerns of prolonged economic strain.
While India has so far avoided fuel price hikes despite pressure on state oil firms, the ongoing conflict and supply disruptions are affecting industries, threatening jobs and raising concerns over food inflation due to fertiliser shortages.
The rupee has fallen to record lows, raising import costs and adding inflationary pressure. Analysts say PM Modi’s comments may signal upcoming government steps to reduce energy consumption, including possible fuel price adjustments.
Opposition leaders criticised the remarks, accusing the government of poor planning. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said it showed the government was shifting responsibility onto citizens instead of taking accountability, calling the suggestions “proof of failure” in a post on X.
The conflict in Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz have disrupted global energy supplies, which the International Energy Agency has called the “largest supply disruption in history.” This has led to a sharp rise in fuel prices worldwide, particularly in Asia.
India, the world’s second-largest gold importer, pays for most of its gold in dollars, adding pressure on foreign exchange reserves. With forex reserves around $690 billion and a projected current account deficit of $84.5 billion in 2026, economists warn of rising external pressure as more dollars flow out than in.
Experts note that even a significant drop in gold imports could save tens of billions of dollars, easing pressure on the CAD and strengthening reserves. At a time when crude oil prices remain high and India imports nearly 88% of its oil, such savings become crucial for managing energy imports.
The ongoing crisis has also disrupted oil shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, pushing up crude prices and weakening the rupee. Since gold is seen as a safe-haven asset, global uncertainty has increased demand and imports, further raising dollar outflows. This dual pressure of costly oil and rising gold imports is straining India’s forex reserves and currency stability.
Several countries have introduced measures to manage the impact. China restricted fuel exports, Australia reduced or removed public transport fares, the Philippines declared a national emergency with subsidies and reduced working days, and Sri Lanka introduced fuel rationing along with a four-day work week.
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Pankaj Patel pledges Rs 500 crore for Zydus Sardardham University
Zydus Lifesciences chairman Pankaj Patel has pledged Rs 500 crore for the establishment of Zydus Sardardham University in Ahmedabad.
He made the announcement during the inauguration of Sardardham-3 in Vadodara, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and leaders of the Patidar community.
Sardardham, a community organisation supporting underprivileged Patidar youth through education, competitive exam training, and skill development, is headquartered on Sardar Patel Ring Road in Ahmedabad and has now expanded with its third major facility in Gujarat.
Pankaj Patel, a Padma Bhushan awardee and ranked among India’s richest business leaders, heads Zydus Lifesciences, one of the country’s leading pharmaceutical companies.
During the same event, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the Sardardham Hostel in Vadodara, which accommodates 1,000 boys and 1,000 girls and includes modern facilities like a library, dining hall, and auditorium. He also launched the Dr Dushyant and Daksha Patel Complex, the Teaching Assistance Scheme, and other education initiatives, describing them as key steps for youth empowerment and noting their alignment with efforts to blend heritage with development.
Recalling Sardar Dham’s 75-year educational journey, he highlighted its expanding presence across cities like Surat, Rajkot, Bhuj, Mehsana, Delhi, and Ahmedabad, and praised its continued focus on girls’ education.
While addressing the audience, the Prime Minister also referred to ongoing global instability, including the pandemic, economic disruptions, and conflicts in West Asia, saying these challenges demand collective resilience. He stressed the importance of public participation in reducing pressure on national resources amid rising energy concerns linked to global tensions.
He urged citizens to adopt energy-saving habits such as using public transport, carpooling, and virtual meetings, and appealed for reduced consumption of fuel, cooking oil, and gold, as well as postponing non-essential spending like foreign travel and destination weddings to support economic stability.
