As the number of positive COVID-9 cases continue to surge in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on April 3, released a video message for the citizens. With the video message, PM Modi appealed the people to switch off all the lights at their homes on April 5 (Sunday) at 9 pm for 9 minutes, and instead light lamps, candles, diyas and torches in an attempt to show their solidarity towards the fight against Coronavirus. He further urged the citizens to light the lamps and torches from their balconies and front gates while maintaining social distance, and not to gather and form groups on the streets.

This message has come from the Prime Minister days after the ‘Janata Curfew’ during when he appealed the citizens to applaud the unsung heroes who are in the frontline fighting the battle against the pandemic. PM Modi expressed his gratitude to the people for cooperating during the Janata Curfew and showing patience during the lockdown.

In his latest message to the people of India, PM Modi has urged the people of India to not cross the line of social distancing, asserting that it is the only possible way to stop the virus from spreading. He added that 130 crores Indians are together in the fight against the disease.

PM Modi announced a 21-day lockdown in the country till April 14, asking people to stay indoors and bringing businesses to a halt in order to contain the virus from spreading. Amid the lockdown, doctors, medical staff, police and other civil workers are ensuring the smooth functioning of the shutdown. Essential commodities are made available to the people by the government in every way possible. Domestic and international flights have been suspended for the containment of the virus.

On April 2, he interacted with the chief ministers of all the states via video conference. During the interaction with the CMs, the Prime Minister asserted on the formulation of a common exit strategy that will ensure staggered re-emergence of the population once Lockdown ends on April 14. According to experts, the coming week will give a clarity on whether or not the lockdown should be extended.

On April 3, the number of positive cases of the Coronavirus crossed the 2,300 mark with over 50 deaths and more than 150 patients recovered from the fatal disease.

Watch the video message of PM Narendra Modi here:

PM @narendramodi‘s #ModiVideoMessage. Modi asks the citizens of #India on 5 April at 9:00 pm to light a candle and fight the corona. This is #ModiUnityCall #IndiaObservers #India #COVID2019 #StayHomeSaveLives #IndiaWithCoronaFighters #Diwali #lightforindia #COVID2019 pic.twitter.com/4IU1qimrYL

— IndiaObservers (@IndiaObservers) April 3, 2020