PM Modi says destination weddings abroad drain foreign exchange and urges citizens to explore India’s cultural and tourism destinations instead
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged Indians to choose domestic destinations over overseas venues for holidays and weddings, saying the growing trend of foreign travel is leading to a large outflow of foreign exchange at a time of global economic uncertainty.
Addressing a gathering in Gujarat’s Vadodara, PM Modi appealed to citizens to rediscover India’s cultural, historical and tourism-rich destinations instead of looking abroad for vacations and destination weddings.
“As soon as holidays begin, children are handed tickets to travel abroad. These days foreign travel has become a trend, especially for destination weddings. Ask yourself, is there no place in India where we can spend our holidays, where we can teach our children about our history, where we can take pride in our local sites?” the Prime Minister said.
His remarks come amid concerns over global instability, especially tensions in West Asia, which have disrupted supply chains and pushed up international oil prices. India, which relies heavily on crude oil imports from the region, has been emphasising the need for fuel conservation and economic prudence.
PM Modi stressed that weddings held in India carry a deeper emotional and cultural connection. “When a wedding is organised in India, the soil of our ancestors blesses us,” he said, while highlighting the country’s diverse and scenic locations that could serve as world-class wedding destinations.
Pitching Gujarat’s Statue of Unity as one such venue, the Prime Minister suggested that dedicated infrastructure could be developed around the monument to host large wedding events and celebrations.
“You should now decide to hold your wedding at the Statue of Unity. At every wedding held there, Sardar Patel himself will be present to shower you with his blessings,” he said.
The Prime Minister also reiterated his appeal for responsible energy use in light of the ongoing global crisis. Referring to the economic impact of the conflict in West Asia, he urged people to avoid unnecessary travel and adopt measures such as work from home wherever possible.
PM Modi said that the collective efforts of 140 crore Indians could help the country overcome global challenges and ensure that India’s growth journey remains uninterrupted despite international turbulence.
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