People turned off electric lights, lit up candle, diya, flashlight responding to PM’s 9pm light-out call showing country’s collective solidarity in battle against Covid19
Enewstime Desk
Agartala, April 05, 2020: As the clock struck 9pm, people across Tripura turned off electric lights and lit up candles, diyas or mobile flashlights responding overwhelmingly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 9pm light-out call. For 9 minutes, most of the houses in the city put off lights, and lit candles and diyas or using mobile flash lights showing country’s collective resolve and solidarity in the battle against menacing Covid19 pandemic.
Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb along with his wife Niti Deb along children also participated in the 9pm light-out and lit candles. Besides, other State Ministers and dignitaries also held candles to express solidarity with PM’s call and country’s resolve to emerge victorious against coronavirus.
In message, Deb said, “It was an incredible moment today joining our countrymen with lighted Diyas to dispel the darkness spread by COVID19. Thanks to @narendramodi Ji for this auspicious initiative. I believe, this unity will surely register win over COVID19 pandemic.”
Among others, Deputy Chief Minister and his family members too held candles in support of PM’s 9pm light-out call. Later, he tweeted, the light of solidarity and unity of 130 crore Indians to fight covid19. The resolve to emerge from darkness into well-being and prosperity, I thank the people of Tripura and also my countrymen for the spontaneity they have shown in response to our prime minister’s appeal.
A trip around the city revealed that people switched off their lights sharp at 9pm and lit candles and diyas at the entrance of the house and balconies in several areas including Jagannath Bari lane, Mahanambrata Sarani, Laxminarayanbari road, Jogendranagar, Pratapgarh, Camper bazaar areas. Drones were used to take photographs of the city during #9pm9minutes. Some people even flew ‘Sky lantern’.
Little girls and boys enthusiastically held mobile flashlights while their guardians sincerely lit candles. “It is not like diwali, it is not a celebration. But it signals our grit and commitment, our unity during a global crisis. We shall overcome, surely”, said a retired school teacher at Math Choumuhani area.
Medical shops and grocery shops also stopped for a while and switched off lights supporting #9pm9minutes. Night guards in the city also switched on mobile flash lights – and in one ATM counter, a night guard stood vigil behind series of burning candles. Delivery boys of swiggy were seen standing by the side of roads with their mobile flash lights on.
In all the cases, people’s alertness in maintaining social distance was noticeable.
Supporting Modi’s ‘9 pm, 9 minutes’ call, people in districts and sub-divisions in Tripura also switched off electric lights. Most of the houses in Manu area under Dhalai lights went off and candles brightened up the night. Similar reports were received from other districts also.
