Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje / Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru/Udupi

Mangaluru/Udupi, Apr 5: In response to the call given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, people across the city switched off their lights at sharp 9 pm and came on to their balconies and out of their doors with torches and lighted candles.

The gesture was a symbolic effort to showcase unity in the country's battle against coronavirus, and a show of solidarity with the poor who are suffering the most due to shortage or inaccessibility of essential commodities.

The Prime Minister in his address to the nation on Friday April 3 had urged people to show unity and solidarity by lighting earthen lamps, candles, torches or mobile flashlights from 9 pm for nine minutes. "On April 5, at 9 pm, turn off all the lights in your homes, stand at your doors or in your balconies, and light candles or diyas, torches or mobile flashlights for 9 minutes," Modi had said.adding this is to challenge the darkness caused by the coronavirus.

Mangaluru

Udupi

He had said that the gesture was to also awaken the "superpower of 130 crore Indians".

In response, scores of households across the city switched off their lights and came on their balconies with candles and earthen lamps for nine minutes. It seemed like Diwali was here once again. In some areas, people even burst crackers, even though PM Modi had urged not to cross the threshold of one's house.

In some neighbourhoods, people got together to arrange earthen lamps (diyas) in the shape of India to express unity. Temples like Sri Kateel Kshetra lit up a thousand candles.

In Udupi, MLA Raghupati Bhat came out of his house along with his family members and expressed solidarity by lighting earthen lamps and switching off lights. MP Shobha Karandlaje too switched off the lights of her house and lit a candle.

In Doddanagudde, the locals adorned the road by placing earthen lamps on both sides. Aneesh Shettigar of Kukkikatte arranged earthen lamps to form Modi's name.

Udupi's famous Sri Krishna Math lit up with scores of diyas. Temples in Kaup too were adorned with earthen lamps.

The gesture comes days after PM Modi called upon people to clap and ring bells to join hands in the country's fight against the coronavirus pandemic and to express appreciation towards those in healthcare and essential services who have been working selflessly. In some parts however, people had come on to the streets in almost a celebratory mood unmindful of social distancing.

• Photo Album: Kundapur