Gandhinagar, May 12 Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi on Tuesday cancelled his proposed visit to the United States following an appeal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging citizens to avoid foreign travel for one year as part of a broader initiative on economic self-reliance and prudent resource use.
Sanghavi was scheduled to attend the second Gujarati Convention organised by the Federation of Gujarati Associations of USA (FOGAUSA) later this month.
The visit has now been called off in line with the Prime Minister’s appeal, which also encouraged measures such as prioritising work from home where possible, reducing consumption of edible oils, avoiding foreign travel for one year, limiting use of imported goods in favour of domestic products, reducing petrol and diesel consumption while increasing public transport use, lowering dependence on chemical fertilisers and promoting natural farming, and postponing gold purchases for one year.
"The decision was taken in support of the national call for restraint. Citizens should cooperate with the Prime Minister’s appeal in the interest of broader economic self-reliance," Sanghavi said.
In a related development, State Health Minister Praful Pansheriya also expressed support for the Prime Minister’s appeal on fuel conservation and announced a change in his official security protocol.
He said, “As a responsible citizen, I have decided to discontinue the use of my pilot car security protocol with immediate effect. It will be used only in cases of extreme necessity or emergencies.”
He further said the appeal reflects the need for responsible use of resources and added that such measures contribute to national economic progress when adopted collectively.
"Every breath of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is dedicated to the upliftment of the nation. In the present global situation and amid a war-like environment, although India has sufficient fuel reserves, prudent use of fuel will directly contribute to the country’s economic progress," he added.
The developments come in the wake of the Prime Minister’s wider call for moderation in consumption and greater emphasis on domestic resources, which has prompted responses from several public representatives in Gujarat.
--IANS
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