Turn off all lights; light candles, diyas for 9 mins at 9 pm on April 5: Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addresing the nation in a video message on Friday (April 3), asked people to turn off all their lights on Sunday (April 5) for nine minutes and light lamps, or switch on their torches or cellphone torchlights from their houses amid the 21-day lockdown to “display their solidarity in defeating the coronavirus”.

“We are at home during lockdown, but we are not alone as collective strength of the entire country is with each one of us,” he said.

“On April 5 Sunday, at 9 pm, switch off all lights for nine minutes and light up lamps or torch or cellphone flashlights. But maintain social distancing while lighting up lamps. Stay in your homes,” said Modi.

“No force is stronger than our spirit and enthusiasm. People showed unprecedented discipline and a sense of service during the coronavirus lockdown. We have to move towards light from the darkness created by coronavirus,” he added.

Modi has addressed the nation thrice since the outbreak of COVID-19. In his first speech, he announced a one-day Janata curfew on March 22 from 7 am to 9 pm. In his second speech, he declared a nationwide lockdown for 21 days to ensure that the novel coronavirus did not spread further.