Switch off lights for 9 minutes at 9 pm on Apr. 5 

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi this morning urged people to light candles, lamps or mobile flashlights at 9 pm on Sunday, Apr. 5, for 9 minutes to “raise the great power of 130 crore Indians” and make everyone feel that no one is alone during the Coronavirus lockdown. 

“Please switch off your lights at homes on Sunday, light up candles, torch or mobile flashlights on your balconies for 9 minutes,” PM Modi said through a video message. 

This is PM Modi’s first message following the announcement of the 21-day lockdown on Mar. 24. Modi has addressed the nation twice since the pandemic became a cause for serious concern in India.

In his first address, he called for a one-day Janata Curfew and in the second address on Mar. 24, he announced a national lockdown to contain the spread of COVID-19.

“The lockdown against COVID-19 pandemic completes 9 days today. The way you all have come together in this time of crisis is commendable. The way Indians have shown how to stay indoors have inspired the entire world. Other nations are following India’s lockdown example. I want to tell you all that nobody is alone in this. All of us are together in this,” Modi said. 

“We must all go through this darkness together. Those who are most affected by this are the poor and marginalised. To overcome this darkness, we must all unite to spread the light and make this darkness of Coronavirus meet the light we all spread,” the Prime Minister said. 

“On Sunday, at 9 pm, turn off all the lights in your house and each person should light candles or switch on torch of their mobile in their balconies. By doing so, we will stand united, we will show that no one is alone in this. The most important thing in all this is to do so within the confinement of our homes and balconies. At no point of time in this exercise should we come out on the streets. Please remember that maintaining social distancing is the most important thing to do,” Modi said.