Bhubaneswar/New Delhi: Amid the nationwide lockdown in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday urged people of the entire nation to unite in the fight against novel-Coronavirus with power of light. PM Modi has called upon people to switch off all lights of homes and light up candles, diyas or torches for 9 minutes at 9 PM on April 5 to "move towards light from the darkness created by coronavirus".
In a video message addressed to the nation, the Prime Minister praised people of the country for extending support in the fight against coronavirus with discipline and termed it extraordinary. He said that today many countries are trying to follow India's model of fight against COVID-19.
"On Sunday, April 5 at 9 PM, I am requesting all my 130 crore Indians to shut down all lights of their houses & come out of their balconies and light candles, torch or mobile torch lights for nine minutes," said PM Modi.
The Prime Minister also appealed people to refrain from avoid gathering anywhere while lighting up diya or torch. "You don't have to go out on the streets and in the colonies, but do it from your doorsteps and balconies," said PM Modi.
PM Modi also said that Janata Curfew observed on March 22, was a huge success and had set an example for the entire world to follow. He also claimed that many other countries were following the idea to thank health workers and other people involved in essential services in these hard times.
PM Modi had announced a nationwide lockdown for three weeks starting from March 24 midnight. He had said this was an essential step to fight coronavirus decisively and that saving lives is a priority as of now.
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He had highlighted that the only way to stop the spread of Covid-19 is the example of the countries who dealt with it and are now coming back on the track.