Candles and traditional lamps were lit Sunday for nine minutes in the main Indian cities against "the darkness of the coronavirus" , which forced this country of 1.3 billion inhabitants to confine itself. This slogan was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who called on his fellow citizens to activate light sources on Sunday at 9:00 p.m. local time (3.30 p.m. GMT) at their windows or on their doorstep.
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Residents shouted "Long live India, our motherland" and "go, corona!", In the midst of applause and the crackling of fireworks and firecrackers. More modern, some had activated the lamp on their mobile phones. A scene reminiscent of the great Hindu festival of lights in Diwali, which celebrates the victory of good over evil and is held in the fall.
Narendra Modi photographed himself lighting a traditional lamp and posted a message on twitter in Sanskrit, "hailing the light that brings good luck, health and prosperity and drives out negative thoughts" .
India has been at a standstill since the authorities decreed national containment of its population on March 25. State borders are closed, public transport nonexistent, stores closed. The Ministry of Health advised people on Saturday to wear reusable handmade masks to "help protect the community as a whole" .
Indian police had closed Friday part of the access to Dharavi, one of the largest slums in Asia, whose narrow and overcrowded alleys are known worldwide since the film "Slumdog Millionaire", affected by the new coronavirus.
India has officially largely escaped the pandemic which is unleashed in the world, with only 3500 cases recorded, including 83 deaths, according to the latest official figures. But according to experts, these figures are likely to be underestimated due to poor screening. By "shining light in all four directions" , "we must challenge the darkness of the coronavirus and show the strength of 1.3 billion Indians," Narendra Modi, a Hindu nationalist, said on Friday in a video message.
