JNS: Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call, millions of people across the country lit up diyas, candles and flashing torchlight from mobile phones to express solidarity in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic at 9 pm on Sunday.
People switched off lights in their homes as the clock struck 9, maintaining social distancing they stood in their balconies and at the entrance gate and lit-up traditional oil diyas, candles and flashlights of their mobile phones for nine minutes.
The sounds of firecrackers, conch shells, bells along with Sanskrit Shlokas, Bhajans and police sirens were also heard during these nine minutes.
On 3 April in his address to the nation, Modi asked people for 9 minutes for their time on April 5 at 9 pm; requested them to switch off all lights and lit a candle, diya, torch or mobile flashlight to mark India’s fight against Coronavirus.
In a video message PM said, “I request all of you to switch off all the lights of your house on 5th April at 9 PM for 9 minutes, and just light a candle, ‘Diya’, or mobile’s flashlight, to display India’s collective strength in the fight against Coronavirus.”
PM urged citizens, to show up on their balconies and gates once again, without breaching social distancing on 5 April.
“Experience the collective resolve, the collective superpower of 130 crore Indians. This will give us the strength to fight, as well as the confidence to win, in this hour of crisis,” PM Modi told.
Earlier on 22 March Modi asked people to clap or beat utensils for five minutes at 5 pm while observing ‘Janta Curfew’ from 7 am to 9 pm to thank those working in essentials services that got grand success.
