Moody’s has reported that India is going to surpass China in Oil & Gas demand over the next decade. The International Energy Agency(IEA) has in fact predicted that India will surpass China as the largest driver of global oil demand by 2027. IEA in a report has projected that India’s Oil demand will rise from 5.48 Million Barrels per day in 2023 to 6.64 Million Barrels per day in 2030.
This is due to India’s rapid industrialization, infrastructure push, growing middle class which has increased mobility needs. In case of China there is economic slowdown and rapid rise in electric vehicles. Moody’s has also said that India relies more on taxes
and dividends from its petroleum sector to support its fiscal budget than China.
While these are very significant indices but what triggers this insatiable hunger for Oil & Gas? NewsIP through this article would like to point out some socio – cultural dimensions. The rising population, expectations of citizens, social & cultural ethos play a strong and significant role. Scooters, Cars, Jeeps, SUVs are all status symbols. On the commercial side, newer and bigger trucks are fancied by most operators.
Easy loans, fixing the age of pliable vehicles, clever marketing by auto manufacturers, all push for increased numbers of vehicles. Single ownership and usage is preferred to public transport (which in any case is abysmal). Ecological issues, Climate changes never get pursued vigorously. Organizations like Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA) have long since lost their significance and more or less defunct. Alternatives, Renewables,
Newer Sources of Energy have yet to become mainstream. As a result, many cities, including the Capital of India which used to be confronted with severe pollution, primarily during winter months, seem to be facing it all year round now. According to World Air Quality Report, 2024 India ranks amongst the Top Five most polluted countries. Delhi has been rated as the most polluted Capital.
All this seems to point out that the citizens of India need to put their act together. The Government and Civic Society can only do that much and no further. The world today does not merely view a nation from the declarations of its government alone. It tends to look far beyond. For instance, it is often reflected in the reaction which locals have towards Indian visitors. The number of counties which allow visa free travel to Indian citizens.
How easily one can get a foreign visa on an Indian passport. Many would say this is a rather partisan approach but surely it’s utter practicality cannot be denied. Indians need to introspect if they want India to be a successful and respected nation. Energy is going to be a pivotal aspect of every nation in future. But a nation is in fact as good as its citizens. Common sense, civic awareness, optimizing energy needs, sharing assets, traditional respect to resources, reduced consumerism, adopting up-to-the-minute energy models all can help. An average Indian has to start the charity at home.
Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country, said Kennedy. Time has come for every Indian citizen to stand up and be counted. Be an energy warrior!
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