Can using a bus instead of a private car, postponing a gold purchase or choosing an Indian holiday over a foreign trip help strengthen the national economy?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi believes such everyday choices, when adopted collectively, can make a significant difference. Addressing a programme in Hyderabad on May 10, the Prime Minister presented seven appeals aimed at conserving foreign exchange, reducing dependence on imports and advancing India’s goal of economic self-reliance.

The appeals were made against the backdrop of the West Asia crisis, rising international crude-oil prices and concerns over disruptions to global energy and trade routes. According to News On AIR, crude prices were trading above $100 per barrel and had touched a 52-week high of $126.

What are PM Modi’s seven appeals?

1. Reduce petrol and diesel consumption

Modi urged citizens to use metros, buses and other forms of public transport wherever possible. Carpooling and avoiding unnecessary private-vehicle journeys could collectively reduce India’s fuel consumption and import bill.

2. Avoid unnecessary foreign travel

The Prime Minister asked Indians to reconsider non-essential overseas travel for one year. Choosing domestic destinations would keep tourism expenditure within India while supporting hotels, transport operators and local businesses.

3. Postpone non-essential gold purchases

India imports a substantial portion of the gold consumed in the country. Modi appealed to families to consider postponing non-essential gold purchases for a year to help reduce the outflow of foreign exchange.

The appeal is voluntary and does not constitute a ban on buying gold.

4. Work from home wherever practical

Companies were encouraged to revive work-from-home arrangements wherever the nature of employment allows it. Fewer daily commutes could reduce fuel consumption, traffic congestion and pressure on household transport budgets.

5. Consume less edible oil

Modi also asked citizens to reduce their consumption of cooking oil. The suggestion links two objectives: lowering India’s dependence on imported edible oil and encouraging healthier eating habits.

6. Reduce dependence on chemical fertilisers

Farmers were urged to cut the use of chemical fertilisers and gradually move towards natural and sustainable farming practices. A subsequent Press Information Bureau statement said the Prime Minister had called for a 50 per cent reduction in chemical-fertiliser use, along with wider adoption of solar-powered irrigation pumps instead of diesel pumps.

7. Choose Swadeshi and support local products

The final message was to give preference to locally manufactured goods. Under the “Vocal for Local” campaign, spending on Indian products is presented as a way to support domestic industries, small businesses, farmers and employment.

Why did the Prime Minister make these appeals?

India depends heavily on imports for crude oil, gold, edible oil and several types of fertilisers. When global prices rise or international supply routes are disrupted, the country’s import bill can increase sharply, putting pressure on government finances, businesses and consumers.

However, the government clarified that the appeal was about responsible consumption and long-term preparedness—not panic. On May 11, the Centre said India had sufficient stocks, including approximately 60 days of crude oil, 60 days of natural gas and 45 days of LPG. It also placed the country’s foreign-exchange reserves at around $703 billion at the time.

Modi’s larger message was that economic self-reliance is not limited to government policy or industrial production. Individual choices—how people travel, what they purchase and what they consume—can also influence the country’s import dependence.

The seven appeals effectively turn Atmanirbhar Bharat from an economic slogan into a household-level challenge: spend thoughtfully, reduce avoidable imports and direct more money towards India’s own economy.

Developed by the Digital India Corporation under the Ministry of Textiles in 2023, the IndiaHandmade platform was launched with the objective of bringing India’s rich heritage of handmade products into the digital economy. The platform enables artisans to showcase and sell their products online while promoting sustainable livelihoods in the handicrafts and handloom sectors.

India is home to a vast network of traditional artisans. According to official data, the country currently has around 6.466 million handloom and handicraft artisans. Women play a significant role in this workforce. As of August 2025, women accounted for 71 percent of handloom weavers and 64 percent of the overall artisan community, underlining the sector’s importance in supporting female employment and entrepreneurship.

The platform serves as a bridge between traditional craftsmanship and modern technology. By providing digital access to small-scale producers, IndiaHandmade allows artisans from remote regions to reach customers beyond their local markets. This expanded visibility is helping preserve traditional crafts while creating new income opportunities.

One of the key advantages of the platform is its direct-to-consumer model. Artisans and weavers can sell products without relying heavily on middlemen, enabling them to retain a larger share of profits. The initiative is expected to improve earnings and provide long-term economic stability for skilled craftsmen.

IndiaHandmade hosts a diverse range of handmade products spanning multiple categories. Customers can purchase textiles, home décor items, paintings, furniture, religious articles, stationery, musical instruments, jewellery, bags, footwear, and other handcrafted goods through the platform. This wide product range reflects the cultural diversity and craftsmanship found across different regions of India.

A major highlight of the platform is its focus on Geographical Indication (GI) tagged products and One District One Product (ODOP) items. These categories are given dedicated visibility to help preserve regional identities and promote unique local products on a national scale.

GI-tagged products represent specific regions and are recognized for their unique quality, reputation, and traditional production methods. Several well-known products available on the platform include Pashmina shawls, Dokra art, and Appan art. By showcasing such products digitally, the platform helps artisans reach a broader audience while preserving traditional knowledge and craftsmanship.

Similarly, the ODOP initiative is being leveraged to promote region-specific products such as Banarasi silk, Chanderi silk, Tangail sarees, Ikat fabrics, and terracotta handicrafts. The inclusion of these products supports local economies and enhances market access for artisans associated with traditional industries.

For consumers, IndiaHandmade offers secure payment systems, purchase protection, and customer support services. These features are intended to build trust and encourage greater participation in the online marketplace.

The platform has also simplified onboarding for small sellers. Even artisans without GST registration can join through an enrolment ID mechanism and sell products within their respective states. This provision ensures that small-scale producers are not excluded from digital commerce due to regulatory barriers.

The government aims to connect more than six million artisans through the platform in the coming years. Officials believe the initiative will strengthen the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat by empowering local producers, generating employment opportunities, and expanding the global reach of India’s traditional crafts.

As India continues its digital transformation journey, the IndiaHandmade platform is emerging as an important tool for preserving cultural heritage while creating sustainable economic opportunities for millions of artisans and weavers across the country.

The Indian Army has taken a significant leap in its unmanned strike capabilities after indigenous defence manufacturer SMPP delivered 106 turbojet-powered loitering munitions — branded as Agniveg (Peacekeeper) — to the force. The handover marks one of the more consequential developments in India's push toward self-reliant defence manufacturing in recent months.

Of the total consignment, 100 are fully operational units while the remaining six are designated for training purposes, the company confirmed.

Faster Than a Peregrine Falcon

The Agniveg is no ordinary drone. Capable of reaching speeds up to 450 kmph, it outpaces the Peregrine Falcon — widely recognised as the world's fastest bird at around 320 kmph during a dive. Its operational range extends to 180 km, giving commanders the ability to strike deep into enemy territory without putting personnel at risk.

SMPP developed the system with technical collaboration from Belarusian firm KB Indela. While the international partnership may draw some scrutiny given India's current geopolitical sensitivities, the company maintains that the core manufacturing and integration happened domestically.

Built to Beat Jamming

A key selling point for the Agniveg is its claimed resistance to both jamming and spoofing — two of the most commonly deployed countermeasures against drone systems in modern conflict zones. Adversaries attempting to disrupt GPS signals or feed false navigation data to the drone are reportedly unable to throw it off course.

During trials, the system reportedly achieved a Circular Error Probable of under five metres even in electronically contested environments. In practical terms, this means the drone can reliably land within a five-metre radius of its intended target — even when an adversary is actively trying to mislead it.

Strike First, No Human Required

Once a target is locked in, Agniveg can complete its entire mission autonomously — no human intervention needed after launch. This fully autonomous precision-strike capability is particularly significant for operations against time-sensitive or high-value targets such as radar installations, command centres, logistics hubs, and armoured vehicles.

Its blast radius is deliberately contained to approximately five metres. That may sound like a limitation, but it is by design. The tight kill zone allows operators to neutralise a specific asset — say, a radar dish inside a contested military compound — without levelling everything around it. In densely populated conflict zones or areas near civilian infrastructure, that distinction matters enormously.

What Are Kamikaze Drones?

Loitering munitions, colloquially called kamikaze drones, are single-use weapons that combine the endurance of a reconnaissance drone with the terminal effect of a guided missile. The name draws from the Japanese suicide pilots of World War II who crashed their aircraft into Allied warships.

Unlike conventional missiles fired in a straight trajectory, loitering munitions can circle a target area for an extended period — sometimes hours — waiting for the right moment to strike. Onboard cameras and sensors allow operators to confirm target identity before the drone commits to its terminal dive.

Their appeal lies in cost-effectiveness, precision, and operational flexibility. They have been used to devastating effect in conflicts in Ukraine, Nagorno-Karabakh, and the Middle East, where they have neutralised armoured columns, air defence systems, and supply depots.

A Boost for Atmanirbhar Bharat

The delivery is being viewed as a tangible output of India's Atmanirbhar Bharat push in defence. While India has significantly increased domestic defence production in recent years, fielding a turbojet-powered loitering munition with this performance envelope is a notable milestone.

The timing is also noteworthy. With India having recently demonstrated its willingness to use precision strike capabilities in Operation Sindoor, the induction of 106 Agniveg drones signals that the Army is actively building out a layered unmanned strike architecture — one that can operate across ranges and threat environments.

Further deliveries and potential orders from other services have not been officially confirmed, but the successful induction is expected to generate considerable interest within the armed forces.

Parliament erupted in chaos today as Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal defended the India-US trade deal as a "historic" win for India, assuring protection for farmers and dairy sectors. This comes amid the high-stakes Budget Session 2026, where opposition fury over the deal—brokered via a February 2 call between PM Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump—has stalled proceedings.

Goyal's Strong Defense in Lok Sabha

Resuming at noon, Lok Sabha saw Goyal highlight how the deal slashes US tariffs to 18%—lower than on rivals—boosting India's exports while shielding sensitive agriculture and food interests. "The safety of 140 crore Indians is our top priority," he declared, linking it to Viksit Bharat and Atmanirbhar Bharat goals. "This structural agreement strengthens ties between the world's biggest democracies," Goyal added, noting last year's detailed talks safeguarded MSMEs and key sectors.

The House adjourned twice amid uproar, with Speaker Om Birla chiding opposition for breaching decorum by rushing to the well and flashing posters.

Opposition's Fierce Protests Escalate

Eight suspended MPs—seven Congress, one CPI(M)—protested at Makar Gate with placards branding "PM is compromised," featuring PM Modi, ex-Army Chief Naravane, and Jeffrey Epstein. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi waved Naravane's unpublished memoir, alleging PM lapses on Ladakh incursions, and demanded to speak. "They suppress our voice," said protesting Congress MP Prashant Padole during his sit-in.

Rahul clashed heatedly with MoS Ravneet Singh Bittu, who retorted: "Gandhi family set Punjab on fire." SP's Akhilesh Yadav slammed it as "surrender," not a deal, while Shashi Tharoor called for more details. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra decried suspensions as anti-democratic.

Why This Matters Now

With Budget Session running till April 2—covering nine pending bills like the Securities Markets Code—the India-US trade deal debate underscores economic tensions post-Economic Survey's 6.8-7.2% GDP forecast. As PM Modi addresses at 5 PM on President's speech, opposition demands Rahul's turn highlight democracy strains amid Op Sindoor and global pacts.

Goyal's address resumes in Rajya Sabha at 2 PM. Will protests derail key PAC reports on railways and crop insurance? Stay tuned for live updates—this India-US trade deal could reshape exports, but political heat tests Parliament's resolve.