Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje / Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru/Udupi
Mangaluru/Udupi, Mar 22: As the clock struck 5 pm on Sunday March 22, people across the city came out on their balconies and out of their homes to show a united fight against the coronavirus pandemic and applaud the people in medical, civil and essential services industries who have been rendering their ceaseless service at a time when the country is battling the coronavirus pandemic.
The gesture was in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to the citizens of the country to come together and applaud and express appreciation of and gratitude to the thousands of doctors, nurses and others who have been working tirelessly across the nation.
In Udupi, Sri Ishateertha Swamiji tolled the bells at Sri Krishna Math, while Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Shobha Karandlaje joined citizens to applaud.
Mangaluru
Udupi
People around the city were seen coming out of their houses to clap.
Temples and churches everywhere pealed the bells for full five minutes in appreciation of the 'coronavirus warriors'.
Some also blew conches and used utensils to clap. The entire city resonated with the sounds of 'taali' (clap) and 'thaali' (plate). It was indeed a moment to cherish as it symbolically united people everywhere in the fight against the deadly virus.
In some places, people raised slogans like 'Vande Mataram' and 'Bharat Mata ki Jai, while in other areas like Bunder, people chanted Takbeer.
Over the last two days, several messages on social media claimed that such non-stop and loud sounds create vibrations that have the power to keep virus at bay. However, the main motive behind the gesture was to express appreciation of the people on the frontlines in the battle against coronavirus.
On March 22, people in Mangaluru and Udupi along with the rest of the country stayed indoors in response to Modi's call for Janata Curfew to maintain social distance in a bid to control the virus. Streets were deserted and railway stations and public places were empty.