Eknath Shinde switches to electric vehicles, cuts down convoy size after PM's austerity push
Thane (PTI): Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday said he has started using electric vehicles and cut down the size of his convoy in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal for fuel conservation in the national interest.
Speaking to reporters in Thane, Shinde said citizens should support the Centre's appeal for austerity and fuel saving in view of the "war-like situation" the country is facing.
"During the COVID-19 period, the people of the country responded positively to PM Modi's appeal and India safely emerged from the crisis. Even now, citizens should respond to the Centre's appeal keeping national interest in mind," Shinde said.
Shinde said he began implementing the appeal from Wednesday itself by travelling in an electric vehicle from his residence to the Sahyadri Guest House in south Mumbai.
The deputy CM also announced a reduction in the number of vehicles accompanying him.
"Except for the vehicles required for security personnel, no additional vehicles will be part of my fleet," he said.
Shinde said the PM had stressed the need for frugality and fuel conservation by reducing the use of petrol and diesel, noting that India imports large quantities of crude oil.
"Every Indian citizen needs to use fuel sparingly to reduce the country's expenditure on crude oil imports," he said.
The Shiv Sena leader said all ministers from his party in Maharashtra had been instructed to use electric vehicles as much as possible.
"Modiji always takes decisions keeping the 'nation first' approach in mind. That is why I have started using electric vehicles from today," Shinde said.
He urged the Opposition not to politicise the issue.
"The people of the country are wise. The opposition should support the government's appeal in the national interest instead of doing politics," he said, while also criticising Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
Shinde further said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had also stated that the Maharashtra government would fully respond to the Prime Minister's appeal.
"The main objective behind this appeal is that citizens should be least affected by the war-like situation," he said.
Referring to the results of assembly elections in West Bengal and Assam where the BJP won, Shinde noted that people had faith in Modi's leadership.
State minister Shambhuraj Desai announced the cancellation of his family's planned Europe tour in response to the appeal, while the Urban Development Department has also decided to cancel an official foreign tour to Denmark, according to the release issued by Shinde's office.
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Thumbay Group begins work on Sharjah’s first private integrated psychiatric, rehabilitation hospital
Sharjah: Thumbay Group has laid the foundation stone for the Thumbay Psychiatric and Rehabilitation Hospital at Sharjah Healthcare City, a 120-bed facility that the company says will be the region’s first private, fully integrated hospital dedicated to psychiatric care, neuro-rehabilitation and addiction recovery.
The groundbreaking ceremony was led by Dr. Abdelaziz Saeed Al Mheiri, who is also a member of the Sharjah Executive Council, in the presence of Dr. Thumbay Moideen.
Spread across 110,000 square feet, the hospital is being developed to address growing demand for specialised mental health and rehabilitation services in the UAE and the wider Gulf region.
The facility will include inpatient and outpatient services in psychiatry, neuro-rehabilitation, addiction treatment, child and adolescent mental health, and care for mood and anxiety disorders. It will also feature VIP inpatient villas designed to provide privacy and support long-term recovery.
A mosque, named the Thumbay Masjid, will be constructed within the campus and will be open to the public.
The hospital is being designed to meet standards for Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), an internationally recognised accreditation system for rehabilitation facilities.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Abdelaziz Saeed Al Mheiri said the project reflects Sharjah’s commitment to strengthening healthcare infrastructure in all aspects of wellbeing.
“Mental health and rehabilitation have long needed dedicated infrastructure, and we are proud to support a private partner whose vision matches the ambition of this Emirate,” he said.
Dr. Thumbay Moideen said the project was a response to a growing need for specialised mental healthcare services in the region.
“We have spent over three decades building healthcare in this region, and the one conversation that has grown louder every year is mental health. Families have been carrying this quietly for too long. This hospital is our answer. It is purpose-built, not retrofitted, and it has been designed around dignity, recovery, and outcomes that families can trust,” he said.
Construction is scheduled to begin in June 2026, and the hospital is expected to become operational by mid-2027.
Once completed, the facility will become part of Thumbay Group’s network of healthcare, education and diagnostic institutions across the UAE.
