New Delhi, April 5: India's sports fraternity on Sunday joined the country in showing solidarity in the fight against the rapidly-spreading COVID-19 pandemic by lighting lamps and candles in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to demonstrate the nation's collective resolve.
PM Modi had appealed to the people to turn off lights and instead lit diyas, candles and other forms of light for nine minutes at 9 PM on Sunday to show the nation's collective resolve to fight coronavirus.
My family & I thank the selfless #SanitationWarriors cleaning our surroundings & hospitals, disinfecting affected areas & thus keeping the virus at bay. Let’s also reignite our pledge to take care of our elders, the most vulnerable - by ensuring their physical & mental wellness. pic.twitter.com/tTheS9oO4I
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) April 5, 2020
Sports personalities such as batting legend Sachin Tendulkar, six-time world champion boxer MC Mary Kom, sprinter Hima Das, Rio Olympics bronze medallist wrestler Sakshi Malik, London Games bronze winner Saina Nehwal, cricketers Virender Sehwag, Ravichandran Ashwin, Suresh Raina and many others took to social media to express their solidarity in the fight against the deadly disease.
Tendulkar thanked the sanitation workers for their selfless service and posted a photograph where everyone was holding a candle. "My family & I thank the selfless #SanitationWarriors cleaning our surroundings & hospitals, disinfecting affected areas & thus keeping the virus at bay. Let’s also reignite our pledge to take care of our elders, the most vulnerable - by ensuring their physical & mental wellness," he tweeted.
With the lighting of these Diya’s may there come a new morning of hope, less suffering and thankfulness to all who are out there helping the people and country in need! 🙏 @narendramodi #9baje9minute pic.twitter.com/0lzooJWqIu
— Geeta Basra (@Geeta_Basra) April 5, 2020
Mary Kom posted a video where she along with her family could be seen flashing their mobile phone torches for nine minutes. Hima also shared a video message where she was holding a lamp.
"The whole nation is together in this fight against coronavirus. As a nation we will defeat coronavirus and build a new nation which will be peaceful, happy and healthy," she said in Assamese in the video.
Together in this! Grateful to all those working at the forefront. 🙏🪔🇮🇳 #9Baje9Minute #IndiaFightsCorona #COVID19 #WeStandTogether @narendramodi @KirenRijiju @vijayrupanibjp @PMOIndia @RijijuOffice @Media_SAI @WeAreTeamIndia @sportsgujarat @ONGC_ @AdaniOnline @YonexInd pic.twitter.com/Jh7OM3A3BE
— Ankita Raina (@ankita_champ) April 5, 2020
Among the cricketers, Sehwag tweeted: "In solidarity with each and every single person who is playing their part. We are all in this together and shall overcome this soon. Om Shantih Shantih Shantih." Ashwin posted a video of his neighbourhood.
"9 o clock 9 minutes!! #diyajalao," he tweeted.
"But I really do wonder where all these people bought their crackers from and of course (when is the most important Q)!!," he added, referring to the bursting of crackers, which could be heard across Delhi.
Let’s stand in solidarity with our people in these tough times! Hope this pandemic ends soon.
— Poonam Yadav (@poonam_yadav24) April 5, 2020
Till then, stay home and enjoy life with family and friends! #9बजे9मिनट pic.twitter.com/aN000M1awe
Raina, who had donated 52 lakhs to fight the novel coronavirus, also joined others in a show of solidarity. "Let's stand in solidarity & beat this terrible time the whole world is going through. We can do it India! #COVID2019 #9baje9mintues @PMOIndia @narendramodi," Raina wrote.
A prayer in unity does make a difference. Pray for every being and stand together 🙏 https://t.co/EcmiX7EcoA
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) April 5, 2020
Sakshi Malik also took to twitter to show her commitment to the cause. "One lamp in the name of the nation #9pm9minutes @narendramodi @KirenRijiju," Sakshi wrote on her handle.
Saina, who had recently joined BJP, wrote: "I'm so proud of our country .. we are really fighting hard with Coronavirus and I'm sure we will come out as winner Folded handsFolded hands #lightdiya9pm9mins tonight Smiling faceThumbs up #coronavirus."
#letstogetherfightcovid19#9pm9min🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/oCvFSWLN83
— Pvsindhu (@Pvsindhu1) April 5, 2020
Irfan Pathan wrote: "It was so good until ppl started bursting crackers #IndiaVsCorona."
This is the second such appeal from the Prime Minister, who had earlier urged the nation to observe 'Janta Curfew' and express gratitude towards healthcare workers and other basic service providers by clapping for them. It had received an overwhelming response from the citizens, including the sportspersons.
A prayer in unity does make a difference. Pray for every being and stand together 🙏 https://t.co/EcmiX7EcoA
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) April 5, 2020