India brings back COVID-era work-from-home rules and asks farmers to halve fertilizer use as the Iran war chokes its oil lifeline
Posted by NoTerm3078@reddit | PrepperIntel | View on Reddit | 81 comments
From article:
In an address earlier this week, the prime minister said Indians should make arrangements to work from home and take more virtual meetings. If citizens must leave home, they should take public transportation, such as the bus or metro, or carpool if a private vehicle is necessary.
The prime minister also asked citizens to limit international travel and pause purchases to keep foreign currency in the country, and asked farmers to halve their fertilizer use, which requires oil to produce. Conserving oil and other resources is a patriotic duty as the war in Iran strains them, Modi said.
Source:
https://web.archive.org/web/20260518153201/https://fortune.com/2026/05/12/india-brings-back-covid-era-work-from-home-fertilizer-cutbacks-iran-war-donald-trump/
Additional source:
https://web.archive.org/web/20260518153736/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/sensible-ask-india-inc-on-pm-modis-wfh-appeal/articleshow/131022886.cms
Zephyr_Dragon49@reddit
Might be a good year for me to start physical prepping after all. I've mostly focused on unemployment prep because that was the most likely for me. Multiple different sectors saying stuff like "covid esque restrictions" means it time for me to get ready for covid esque shortages. If nothing happens, great then I'm prepared for the next major ice storm. If something happens, great, I successfully anticipated something.
kerbouchard219@reddit
I'm going to be nosy and ask what the differences are in your physical vs unemployment preps?
ohyeahwell@reddit
Wish we could WFH at my company. Was glorious during Covid. Now we have to show up in-office to attend zooms.
DampWarmHands@reddit
Why is this the case! Same at my work!
almodsz@reddit
Companies usually invest a lot of money into their office leases and real estate. If white-collar remote work becomes the norm industry-wide, supply floods the market and property values collapse, leaving companies holding devalued assets with no exit.
Skinny-on-the-Inside@reddit
There’s an exit, convert them into residential properties.
nixstyx@reddit
This has been discussed many times in many places, but the short version is, most commercial properties aren't easily converted to residential. It can happen, with some creative thinking, but it's often not very cost effective. Sure, if the value drops enough, it makes sense. But nobody is going to willingly retrofit a commercial building into a residential one until it makes financial sense.
davidm2232@reddit
If we had a more communal living style, there would be way easier conversions. Add a few showers to the bathrooms. Most offices already have a small kitchen, it would not be that hard to grow it. Make it more dorm style living than a traditional apartment. It would be so much cheaper than having a dedicated bathroom and kitchen in each unit. Plus, communal living areas allow people to socialize more. That is the biggest thing I miss about college.
MrD3a7h@reddit
Oh no! Anyway...
Griever114@reddit
Fuck them, fuck the real estate market
SquirrelyMcNutz@reddit
Also the surrounding businesses. Like restaurants, other shops, gas stations, etc.
Notyit@reddit
Only peolel with Ev must come into the office
ToolTime2121@reddit
It's so stupid. My team is 2x/wk in office and hardly ever has team meetings on those days. Also nobody talks to each other. Makes literal no sense for us to be there.
almodsz@reddit
Oh, but it does. You're there to keep your company's real estate asset from losing value.
Practical_Hippo6289@reddit
It's about to get real...
tazztsim@reddit
Yeah. And the vast vast majority of people have no idea it’s coming.
MydaisyChange@reddit
Can you be specifit about what you see coming down the track?
tazztsim@reddit
The market will likely realize that global gas is tightening. That’ll cause a sharp spike in gas. There’s already whiffs of scarcity on that front. Oil and other petroleum products as well.
The fertilizer shortage will cause crop issues. Along with the late freeze and droughts all over the place.
There will be food shortages all over the globe. APAC countries are already rationing.
The current admin will not care a single bit if plans are struggling so there will be no help there.
If we (in the us) manage to avoid large scale unrest at best we will see massive inflation and roving shortages.
PapayaMysterious6393@reddit
They're talking about diluting the oil.
tazztsim@reddit
Oh great. Then our cars will all fail.
PapayaMysterious6393@reddit
Here's the sauce: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-fortifies-domestic-fuel-supply-provides-americans-relief-pump-approving-nationwide
I wonder how much it even saves?
Per, this: https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/ethanol-benefits
So how much are you really saving when it's almost 30% less energy?
No_Possible_7108@reddit
Somebody the other day was pushing the theory that they are intentionally trying to destroy older vehicles so people are forced to buy the new cars with the mandatory driver-facing cameras. Seems like a stretch to me but 🤷♂️
glity@reddit
It’s not as much of a stretch as people think. Ethanol is a solvent. So is gasoline. Ethanol likes to eat certain types of rubber more than gasoline. That is why ethanol cannot be used in most 2 cycle engines it will degrade the rubber faster by pulling out “oil” and “plasticizer” from the rubber compounds in seals and fuel lines. Higher ethanol will wear engine components that are not resistant to ethanol as a solvent in large concentrations. This completely ignores the explosion geometry argument by reducing the stroke of a fuel explosion thereby forcing the engine out of design efficiency but let’s be honest if you want efficiency you have electric.
No_Possible_7108@reddit
The part I was skeptical of is the part where it is some grand plan that they are doing this to push current model vehicles. I don't know anything about engines so I wouldn't comment on the possibility of it destroying stuff.
Thanks for the explanation btw, it's like a tiny peek into something I am generally clueless about
PapayaMysterious6393@reddit
Ah, and the cars they can auto-shut off, if 'needed.'
Isn't the camera only for commercial, for now?
No_Possible_7108@reddit
I haven't been paying too close attention to be honest because I am not in the position where I will be able to purchase a new car any time soon
PapayaMysterious6393@reddit
Same lol No fucking way.
Ginsdell@reddit
They are
hera-fawcett@reddit
a stretch or a wonderful boon for both the government and big tech?
why_not_both.jpg
No_Possible_7108@reddit
Bluestreak2005@reddit
E15 is already used during multiple months of the year in the USA. The vehicles are mandated to be able to handle it already.
PapayaMysterious6393@reddit
What year vehicles though?
glity@reddit
Only at or below certain temps anything outside that ignores design. But let’s be honest no one will care when the fancy oil(synthetic) is out of stock so you have to buy comparable(will destroy your turbo) that voids you dealer warranty. Ohh for shame let it not be so. /s
Ginsdell@reddit
You’re not and it ruins your car.
Big_Fortune_4574@reddit
They already passed that I thought. It doesn’t help much it’s basically a placebo if you do it this time of year for some technical reason.
PapayaMysterious6393@reddit
I think so. I think it started May 1st.
Ginsdell@reddit
They already did this
minimalisa11@reddit
Add hantavirus knocking out half the population Infinity Wars style
tazztsim@reddit
Im not even worried about that yet.
minimalisa11@reddit
Give it a week
justtosendamassage@reddit
RemindMe! One week
RemindMeBot@reddit
I will be messaging you in 7 days on 2026-05-26 09:53:08 UTC to remind you of this link
CLICK THIS LINK to send a PM to also be reminded and to reduce spam.
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UpVotes4Worst@reddit
The other part you're missing. Crop shortages will be devasting to developing nations and everyone will blame 1 country = USA. If the USA isn't absolutely smattered with terrorist attacks over the next 10 years I'll be amazed.
Johnny-Unitas@reddit
So many of these problems wouldn't exist if the current US administration wasn't owned by people blackmailing them.
Ginsdell@reddit
Spot on
MydaisyChange@reddit
Thank you for the info.
OtherUserCharges@reddit
I get that it takes longer and costs more, but seriously, can’t ships just go around Africa? Not having a short cut just means everything stops?
dak-sm@reddit
You need to look at a map. Identify the Persian gulf and then figure out why the Strait is important.
OtherUserCharges@reddit
Dude I understand why it is important, I acknowledged it’s longer and more expensive to go around. My point is it cannot be as devastating as people are claiming. The ships are all just hanging out there waiting for months. Even if going around still causes costs to increase significantly, is it really a better option to just sit there and wait rather than go around?
tazztsim@reddit
No they can’t go around. They are in the Persian gulf. The only way to get out of the Persian gulf to “go around” is by using the strait.
They physically cannot go around. As the other poster said look at a map please
RhinoPillMan@reddit
This is already happening. But it takes a couple weeks longer, much more fuel, and the ports down there aren’t set up to handle the amount of traffic that’s starting to flow there.
yankeedjw@reddit
The ships are stuck in the Persian Gulf. There is no way around the Strait unless they move the oil on the ground.
ladymorgahnna@reddit
I hope more farmers consider other fertilizer sources such as manure and compost from other farmers. It’s healthier anyway.
tazztsim@reddit
It’s more expensive and there isn’t enough to go around.
tazztsim@reddit
That won’t happen in the us. We are on our own with all the safety nets torn away.
I’m trying to keep myself prepared but not freaking out and it’s hard.
ninjaluvr@reddit
I'm so glad I don't freak out about things I can't control. Life is going to happen. You'll be fine.
tazztsim@reddit
This is a prepper page and you comment that. No thanks. Goodbye.
Forrest-Fern@reddit
Makes me think of a variation of Schrodinger's Asshole, where if they're called out it's just a joke
tazztsim@reddit
They edited their post to sound caring.
And apparently the kids are ok with what both those commenters are saying which is concerning. Allowing posters to talk about other posters being shot is grotesque
SwoogityWoogity@reddit
You’re gonna get clapped the first week by a moron in a Hawaiian shirt with a Mosin. You’re clearly not built for this
SchlumpG0d@reddit
You could be driving and one untied object out of the back of a truck could kill you, what’s your fucking point?
You could get the shits and die tomorrow Mr you’re not built for this
SwoogityWoogity@reddit
Yeah the end times are terrifying huh? Kinda funny were gentle parenting about that to grown adults here
tazztsim@reddit
I guess u called out the idiots by having feelings. Try it a hole.
RaistlinMajeresRobes@reddit
You might want to re-evaluate your methods for cheering someone up if that comments goal was to cheer someone up lol
ninjaluvr@reddit
For sure! Lessons were learned. They are screwed and they won't be fine!!!!
No_Possible_7108@reddit
The lesson to learn probably should have been that you shouldn't be a passive aggressive dickhead if you want people to get along with you
tazztsim@reddit
I think they got one of their sock monkeys in to back them up.
No_Possible_7108@reddit
Sorry you are having to deal with that😓
Hopefully the mod stops by and drops the hammer on them.
I am terrified of getting shot in my own home by a random stray bullet! I know it is statistically very unlikely to happen to me but the fact that it is possible at all is enough to freak me out
tazztsim@reddit
I never thought I’d get rude comments while talking about prepping on a prepper page yet here we are.
They completely rewrite their post so it sounds loving and caring.
stockist420@reddit
Add el nino to this mix
SpiritTalker@reddit
Must be nice (the wfh part)
TernarySquare0123@reddit
If El Nino comes "early" it could be a drought at the same time. India may have to restrict rice exports again. Sadly that could mean hard(er) times for a lot of people.
Thoth-long-bill@reddit
Prudent
Solo_Camping_Girl@reddit
Not an agriculturist, so I don't know. Since India has lots of animals roaming around and probably lots of leaf litter, why not just use those for organic fertilizer?
Practical_Hippo6289@reddit
I imagine that's exactly what they will do but yields will be lower and there might not be enough organic fertilizer to go around.
Solo_Camping_Girl@reddit
Good point. It's still a resource that they can use though, would be a waste not to put it to good use.
Mclurkerrson@reddit
My org is letting us do 2 days in office instead of 3 because of the cost of gas. We were fully remote during COVID and they randomly got super strict about the three days in late 2024, so this is a nice reprieve.
Shiznoz222@reddit
*only forcing us to come in 2 days instead of 3
Raven_Photography@reddit
A co-worker’s husband who works for a major telecommunications company has been told to work from home for the rest of summer, at a minimum.
The global shutdown that is coming is going to look very much like Covid but with massive food shortages due to the fertilizer challenges, the El Niño that is beginning, and the strain on power generation due to AI server farms. It’s like a perfect storm of stupidity that is really going to suck for a lot of people.
Akanwrath@reddit
Why keep currency in country?
tazztsim@reddit
It’s an inflation hedge.