Millions of Indians across the country switched off lights at their homes and lit candles, diyas or turned on mobile phone torches Sunday night, responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to show the nation's "collective resolve and solidarity" in its fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
As the clock struck 9:00 pm, lights went out in most houses and people gathered in balconies and at doors, flashing mobile lights while many lit candles and diyas. Fireworks, thalis, whistles and police sirens were heard. At some places, Hindu devotional songs, mantras and national anthem were also played.
The nine-minute lights-out event went smoothly, Power Minister RK Singh said, with no impact on electricity grid functioning—as was widely anticipated.
शुभं करोति कल्याणमारोग्यं धनसंपदा ।
April 5, 2020
शत्रुबुद्धिविनाशाय दीपज्योतिर्नमोऽस्तुते ॥ pic.twitter.com/4DeiMsCN11Modi had on Thursday urged people to turn off lights at their homes for nine minutes at 9:00 pm to display the country's collective resolve and solidarity to defeat the virus.
This is the second time the prime minister sought to rally people amid the ongoing lockdown to combat the pandemic, which has so far infected more than 3,500 people and claimed 83 lives in India.
Citizens respond to PM Modi's call to light candles and diyas in Mumbai. #9baje9minute #CoronavirusPandemic pic.twitter.com/ChGMskf8Ql
April 5, 2020“You may be alone at home but 130 crore people are with you," he had said while making the appeal to fuse a sense of unity and purpose among people during the ongoing lockdown.
Click here to see more photos and videos from the #9pm9minute initiative
The prime minister had earlier asked them to clap or beat utensils on March 22 for five minutes at 5:00 pm while observing 'Janta Curfew' from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm to thank those working in essentials services.
(With inputs from PTI)
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