Northeast joins nation in lighting diyas, candles on PM’s call

Guwahati/Agartala, April 6 (IANS) Incredible solidarity was observed across the northeast to unite gainst the threat of Covid-19 and to cheer all those fighting against it with the people switching off the lights of their homes at 9 p.m. on Sunday night and lighting diyas, candles, torches or mobile flashlights.

Troops of the Army’s Red Horns Division switched off their home lights and lit lamps, and diyas.

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, sharing a photo of him lighting a diya on Twitter, posted: “Joined the people of India in lighting lamps at my residence (in Guwahati) on the call of PM @narendramodi ji. We are united and together, we will defeat COVID-19.”

Flashing mobile lights, Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said in a tweet: “I am elated to join billion fellow Indians in igniting rays of our mighty resolve and collective will to fight COVID-19 pandemic. These diyas illuminate our hearts with positivity and strengthen our moral courage.Grateful PM @narendramodi for forever inspiring.”

Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, his wife Niti Deb and their children posed with earthen lamps as part of the “9 PM-9 Minutes programme” announced earlier by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as a means to support heathcare professionals in the war against novel coronavirus.

“It was an incredible moment today (Sunday) joining our countrymen with lighted Diyas to dispel the darkness spread by COVID-19. Thanks to @narendramodi Ji for this auspicious initiative. I believe, this unity will surely register win over COVID-19 pandemic,” Deb said in a tweet.

“We are in this together. India united at 9 pm 9 minute,” Manipur Chief Minister N.Biren Singh said in a tweet.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu displayed many photographs on lighting lamps in his Twitter handle. “Have switched off the lights at my home and lit diyas. Country stands firmly with PM @narendramodi ji in this fight against COVID-19,” he wrote.

Following Modi’s appeal, people across the country came out at balconies, terraces, doorsteps and courtyards of their houses to do the exercise for nine minutes.

–IANS

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