City lights up on Modi’s call for solidarity

Shreya Tinkhede | TNN | Apr 6, 2020, 04:40 IST

Nagpur: When the clock struck nine, a wave of unity and solidarity swept through the city as citizens stood together in balconies and doors with lighted candles, mobile flashlights, or put up earthen lamps to fight corona negativity. The entire city dazzled as people showed their resolve by dimming home lights and lighting up exteriors. Many also burst crackers in their enthusiasm. Surely diwali came early.
PM Narendra Modi had urged the people to switch off lights of their homes and light up the lamps, or mobile flashlights to display the nation’s collective spirit. Citizens in different localities participated and shared their experience.
The historical Poddareshwar Ram Mandir on Central Avenue Road lit up 500 diyas. It dazzled in the dark night.
Sandeep Shirkhedkar from Subhash Nagar not only lit diyas and candles but also chanted Gayatri Mantra and Mrutyunjay jap to pray for the well-being of people fighting the pandemic, “I urged everyone in my apartment to do the same. We stand together with the nation during this tough time. I held torch in one hand and candle or diya in another. The entire locality participated willingly,” he said.
Ankita Thakre from Kamptee felt it was like Diwali. “People were bursting crackers, shouting Go Corona Go and there was not a single house which looked dark as everyone participated by holding a lit candle and diya. Streetlights were also off which added to the feel,” she said.
Mahal area saw the 9pm-9minutes initiative coming early as people were seen preparing their earthen lamps with oil and lighting candles since 8pm itself. “Residents of Mahal are always excited to celebrate anything. Hence the gullies and squares were calm and dark. People stood with their candles and placed earthen lamps in balconies. We are only three members in our family and we all participated with excitement,” said Pranita Mishra, student.
Residents of Manewada, Jaripatka and many such areas also burst crackers, while children and adults were seen chanting, ‘Go Corona Go’. People also posted pictures and snaps of their homes and view from the locality on social media with hashtag 9pm9minutes.
Tushar Mahajan, freelance writer and resident of Shri Nagar, said, “People understood the importance of integrity and humanity. It was amazing to see so many people coming together with families. We too lit candles and earthen diyas and prayed for everyone’s safety.”
Shiny Phillip from Manish Nagar said, “It was a beautiful sight as people stood out and there was peace everywhere. I do not appreciate people bursting crackers. But all houses in my area were beautifully lit.”
Big residential buildings, complexes were looking breathtaking as each balcony had a series of lamps and candles. Some were seen singing songs in groups, while senior citizens were seen chanting prayers.
Anand Ambekar, a digital media consultant, said, “We appreciate this wonderful idea by PM Modi which brought the entire nation together as everyone stood hoping and praying for safety and peace,” he said.