What Ordinary Citizens can do to help
the Government tide over these troubled
times – some possible steps
by hemen varma
On two recent public occasions, the Prime Mister appealed for
and emphasized the need for consumption of local goods. Once appeal was to the general public and the
2nd appeal was specifically to the trading and business class asking
them to import less and source more from local/Indian sources.
Clearly he is concerned about the sudden ganging up of USA
and its Deep State against India which can have “uncomfortable effects” for the
Indian economy in the short-term.
Please see 2 Newspaper extracts from Times of India and The
Hindu on 2nd & 3rd August 2025.
And just today – 25 August 2025, the PM said in Ahmedabad “I appeal to the
citizens of our country to prioritize
purchasing goods that are Made in India. Whether it's decorative
items or gifts, let us choose products manufactured within our own nation. I also encourage businesses to refrain from selling items
sourced from other countries. These small yet impactful steps can
play a significant role in driving our nation's progress and prosperity. - PM @narendramodi “
This is only the second time that I can recall in the last 60
years that an Indian Prime Minster has asked the people of India to make a
personal sacrifice – people of my generation will
remember PM Lal Bahadur Shaastri’s appeal to skip Monday night meals at the
time of the grain/wheat shortage crises in 1965.
As at that time, so at this time, it is our duty as conscientious and patriotic citizens to sacrifice personal comfort for the nation.
The most important contribution we can make is to help the
government conserve and, indeed, grow our foreign exchange reserve
which will cushion us from the inevitable fall in Foreign Exchange earnings that
will happen as long as USA continues to impose 50 % duties on Indian imports
and pressurizes its other partners to do the same with respect to India.
Here are a few suggestions on how we can do that. I appeal to all recipients of this Mail to
practice as many of the below-mentioned steps as possible and also share
this this message amongst your friends,
relatives and acquaintances so that we citizen s can make a visible and
tangible contribution to strengthening the hands of our Government to stand
upright and strong against this vicious attack on India by forces that are inimical
to seeing India become a strong International entity.
How we can help
1. 2 days in the week – use only Public Transport. Better still, do not go out at all on those 2 days.
2. All those who own IMPORTED show-piece
cars like BMW, MERCEDES, PORSCHE, AUDI, LAMBORGHINI, BENTLEY, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Volvo, JLR – avoid using them for the next 12
months. These are Fuel-guzzlers and their non-use will help to reduce fuel
consumption.
The above 2 steps will help to reduce consumption of Petrol/Diesel and
thus, eventually, reduce Foreign exchange outflow - $ 360.5 Million per Week translating
to $ 18.75 BILLION Annual Savings. (See
Chart Below)
India’s Total exports to USA currently is $ 86.51 Billion. So, this saving on Crude Oil Imports of $
18.75 Billion will account for as much as 22 % of the
exports which will be a big cushion against the possibility of export
shrinkage to the USA.
3. Do not get tempted to be amongst the first to buy TESLA – postpone this decision by 12 months.
4. Nor buy any of the other IMPORTED
show-piece cars like BMW, MERCEDES, PORSCHE, AUDI, LAMBORGHINI, BENTLEY, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Volvo, JLR
etc.
Once again, the above 2 steps will help to reduce consumption of Petrol/Diesel and thus, eventually, reduce Foreign exchange outflow.
5. Completely get off AMAZON and Flipkart – No purchase until and unless there are no alternatives or there is a health emergency.
6. If you are NOT on Netflix, Amazon, DO NOT SUBSCRIBE for next 12 months. If the subscription is expiring, DO NOT RENW for at least 12 months. Use various other OTT but not these 2 American ones.
7. Postpone, wherever you can, any
Foreign Travel – yes ANY – this will save drawing down of India’s Foreign Exchange.
Let us take a look at our Foreign Exchange position.
Top-10 Countries with the Highest Foreign Exchange Reserves
by 2025 (Source :https://currentaffairs.adda247.com/top-10-countries-with-the-highest-foreign-exchange-reserves/ )
China is the top country with more than $3.57 trillion, highest
reserves in the world. Most of this is in US dollars, along with
euros, yen and gold. China uses these reserves to support the yuan and
keep its trade strong.
Here is the list of top-10 countries with the highest
foreign exchange reserves by 2025:
|
Rank |
Country |
Foreign
Exchange Reserves (in USD million) |
|
1. |
China |
$3,571,803 million |
|
2. |
Japan |
$1,238,950 million |
|
3. |
Switzerland |
$952,687 million |
|
4. |
India |
$686,145
million |
|
5. |
Russia |
$620,800 million |
|
6. |
Taiwan |
$576,846 million |
|
7. |
Saudi Arabia |
$434,547 million |
|
8. |
Hong Kong |
$421,400 million |
|
9. |
South Korea |
$415,700 million |
|
10. |
Brazil |
$388,571 million |
India’s Position in Foreign Exchange
Reserves
In 2025, India ranks fourth
in the world with $686.1 billion in foreign exchange reserves. These
reserves help support the Indian rupee (INR), control inflation and keep the
economy strong during global changes. India’s strong reserve position shows its
economic stability. Russia follows in fifth place with $620.8 billion, though
reduced due to sanctions and political tensions.
8. As can be seen we currently have
around US $ 700 Billion Exchange Reserves – our target should be to get it to
US 1000 Billion i.e. US $ 1 Trillion in the next 12 months. This will make us the Country with the 3rd
largest Foreign Exchange Reserves and help us withstand the strong headwinds we
will face in Trade and Oil & Defence Procurement. This is a matter of utmost importance for us to be able to withstand the shenanigans of USA and its camp followers to disrupt India’s
economy and our growth as a country with independent foreign policy.
9. For this there has to be a concerted
effort by each and every citizen to
(a a) conserve foreign exchange and
(b b) earn more foreign exchange
10.If you have relatives sending you foreign remittance every month, ask them if they can send it for the whole year, this ONE Time or for 6 Months in 2 quick remittances. This will help to quickly boost up our foreign exchange reserves.
11.If you have a practice of travelling to meet family friends as an Annual get-together, invite them to do it in INDIA this year at your place or some tourist destinations in India. Will not only save foreign exchange on your travel abroad but will earn foreign exchange on their coming here.
12.If you own/run a company that holds conferences or holiday jaunts/Reward Trips abroad, DO it in INDIA this year – once again to save foreign exchange outgo.
13.If you drink, can you put a stop on purchase of any FOREIGN LIQUOR for next 12 months. By all means consume what you already have – but replenish only with Indian and India-manufactured Liquor.
14.Arrange various Family celebrations
on important Personal milestones (60th Birthday, 50th marriage Anniversary,
marriage in the Family and so on) in India inviting your friends/relatives
abroad to join – once again will save foreign exchange outgo and, in fact, earn
some foreign exchange for the country by people coming for the event from
abroad.
I appeal to all recipients of this mail not to fall into
the temptation of thinking “what difference can one person make” – the
truth is “बूँद बूँद से सागर बनता है !”
Little drops of water, little grains of sand,
Make the mighty ocean and the mighty land.
So please adopt whatever makes sense to you and do circulate this Note to as many as possible in all the forums that you are part of.
Let us
strengthen the hands of the Government to ensure that India gains and
retains it rightful place in the comity
of nations.
Jai Bharat !
25 August 2025
