JOIN USLight up lamps on April 5 at 9 pm to display collective strength to defeat coronavirus: PM Narendra Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday appealed to the people to display their collective strength and resolve to in the fight against COVID-19 while maintaining social distancing, which he said was the only panacea to jointly defeat the coronavirus.
In his third address to the nation, Modi reminded the people that they were not alone and urged them to display their collective resolve by switching off lights at their homes and lighting candles, diyas or mobile phone flashlights on Sunday at 9:00 pm in a nationwide show of solidarity to fight the coronavirus.
“When the nation is fighting such a huge battle, one should from time-to-time keep experiencing this collective superpower manifesting itself in the form of the people. This experience boosts our morale, gives us direction and clarity, a common aim as well as the energy to pursue the same,” he said.
Modi urged all Indians to challenge the darkness spread by the coronavirus crisis this Sunday on April 5 and introduce it to the power of light.
“On the 5th of April, at 9 am, turn off all the lights in your homes, stand at your doors or in your balconies, and light candles or diyas, torches or mobile flashlights for 9 minutes. I repeat, light candles or diyas, torches or mobile flashlights,” the prime minister said.
At the same time, Modi made a fervent appeal to the people against thronging streets and display unity from within the confines of homes and balconies.
“One must never cross the ‘Lakshman Rekha’ of Social Distancing. Social Distancing should not be breached under any circumstances. This is the only panacea to break the chain of coronavirus,” the prime minister said.
“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,” he said.
Modi also spoke about the plight of the poor as the lockdown has brought economic activity to a grinding halt.
“We have to take our poor brethren towards the light and certainty. To defeat this darkness, we have to shine the light in every direction,” he said.