People across the country took to their balconies and windows with candles, lamps, torches and flashlight and stood in unity.
Satra Park Borivali lit up for nine minutes. (Photo: Sujal Jain)
Adhering to the appeal made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, citizens of India switched off their lights and lit candles, lamps and flashed their mobile torch lights to show solidarity to fight against the Coronavirus outbreak.
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Speaking to the citizens via video conference, Modi had said, "On April 5, Sunday, at 9pm, I want 9 minutes from all of you. Turn off all the lights in your homes, stand at your doors and balconies and light candles, diyas or mobile flashlights for nine minutes."
On Sunday, PM Modi also lit candles and joined citizens in the fight against the pandemic.
शà¥ÂÂu00c2u0081à¤à¤ÂÂu00c2u0082 à¤ÂÂu00c2u0095रà¥ÂÂu00c2u008bति à¤ÂÂu00c2u0095लà¥ÂÂu00c2u008dयाणमारà¥ÂÂu00c2u008bà¤ÂÂu00c2u0097à¥ÂÂu00c2u008dयà¤ÂÂu00c2u0082 धनसà¤ÂÂu00c2u0082पदा ।
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 5, 2020
शतà¥ÂÂu00c2u008dरà¥ÂÂu00c2u0081बà¥ÂÂu00c2u0081दà¥ÂÂu00c2u008dधिविनाशाय दà¥ÂÂu00c2u0080पà¤ÂÂu00c2u009cà¥ÂÂu00c2u008dयà¥ÂÂu00c2u008bतिरà¥ÂÂu00c2u008dनमà¥ÂÂu00c2u008bऽसà¥ÂÂu00c2u008dतà¥ÂÂu00c2u0081तà¥ÂÂu00c2u0087 ॥ pic.twitter.com/4DeiMsCN11
People across the country took to their balconies and windows with candles, lamps and stood united to fight the pandemic which has claimed more than 50,000 lives worldwide. However, a few people also came out on the streets and chanted 'Go Corona, Corona Go', despite the country-wide lockdown. In may parts of Delhi, people were seen bursting crackers.
People stand at their balconies and participate in the #9pm9minutes initiative. (Photo: Satej Shinde)
BJP leader Ashish Shelar lit candles along with his family members and said, "We salute the selfless heroes".
Thank you #BKS #Mumbai for lighting diya,candle,torch today to show solidarity to the health warriors!This shows we are united against #Covid_19!We Salute the Selfless Heroes! Thank you, @narendramodi Ji for bringing the country together in this way! #9बà¤ÂÂÂu00c2u009cà¥ÂÂÂu00c2u00879मिनà¤ÂÂÂu00c2u009f #IndiaFightsCorona pic.twitter.com/OO4K7H9pQZ
— Adv. Ashish Shelar - ॲड. à¤ÂÂÂu00c2u0086शिष शà¥ÂÂÂu00c2u0087लार (@ShelarAshish) April 5, 2020
Minister for Textiles and Women & Child Development, Smriti Irani, said it was the light of hope and resilience.
#9baje9mintues the light of hope and resilience ðÂÂÂu00c2u009fÂÂÂu00c2u0099ÂÂÂu00c2u008f pic.twitter.com/f6I33KLihb
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) April 5, 2020
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, "A ray of hope and belief can brighten the darkest times."
A ray of hope and belief can brighten the darkest times.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) April 5, 2020
On PM @narendramodi ji’s clarion call, have switched off the lights at my home and lit diyas.
India stands firmly with PM @narendramodi in this fight against COVID-19. #9pm9minute pic.twitter.com/I0bazNXaiN
Defence minister Rajnath Singh also stood in solidarity.
#9बà¤ÂÂu00c2u009cà¥ÂÂu00c2u00879मिनà¤ÂÂu00c2u009f #9pm9minute pic.twitter.com/204bKEX19Y
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) April 5, 2020
Meanwhile, the number of coronavirus cases in India has surged past 3,500 with 505 new cases in the last 24 hours from across the country.
Lights at business tycoon Mukesh Ambani's home Antilla at Peddar Road were also switched of. (Photo: Bipin Kokate)
Mumbai: Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani lit candles and earthen lamps at their residence 'Antilia'. People across India switched off lights in their houses for 9 minutes at 9 PM today&lit a candle, 'diya', or flashlight, to mark India's fight against #Coronavirus as per PM's appeal pic.twitter.com/VMqdRyMbkX
— ANI (@ANI) April 5, 2020
According to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the total number of COVID-19 positive cases in the country has gone up to 3,577 as on Sunday. So far, 83 people have died of the coronavirus. Among States, the tally in Maharashtra stood at 690.
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