India lights up diyas, candles, mobile flashes at 9 pm for 9 minutes

Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a brief video message on April 3, 2020, and urged the countrymen to light candles and mobile flashlights on Sunday (April 5, 2020) for 9 minutes at 9 PM to show solidarity in the fight against coronavirus.

PM appreciated the discipline shown by 130 crore Indians during the 21-day countrywide lockdown to contain the deadly coronavirus pandemic. PM Modi boosted the morale of the countrymen by saying that "no one is alone" in the fight against coronavirus as the strength of 130 crore Indians is with each of us. 

"Today, when crores of people are inside homes, then some of us may think about how they will fight this battle against COVID-19 alone. Such questions might come up in your mind? But please remember, none of us is alone. The strength of 130 crores of Indians is with each one of us," said Prime Minister Modi. 

"The way you paid gratitude to people fighting against COVID-19 on March 22, has become a model that is being emulated by other countries. So when the country is fighting such a big battle, one should keep witnessing the power of public as it gives morale, aim, and energy to achieve height and makes the path more clear," he said.

In his address to the nation on March 24, the Prime Minister had announced a 21-day lockdown in the country to contain the spread of novel coronavirus, which has infected over 2,000 people in the country.