Light up diyas on Sunday to present unified India: PM

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday asked Indians to switch off lights at 2100 hrs on April 5 for nine minutes and light lamps, candles, torches outside their door or balcony of the house to ''end the darkness'' and to present a unified face of India during this health crisis.

Addressing the country via a video message, the PM said, ''This Sunday, on April 5, at 9 pm, light a candle, lamp, torch or your phone's flashlight at your door or balcony for 9 minutes. This will give all of us the confidence that we are not alone in our fight against COVID-19."

At the same time, he appealed to people not to gather outside their homes and strictly practise social distancing."Everyone should follow social distancing during the event,'' he said.(UNI)