'9 Minutes For India': Virat-Anushka, Alia, Kartik, Ananya, Soha light up diyas amid COVID

India lit up in an awesome display on Sunday night, as the conventional lighting went off and 1.3 billion used candles, lanterns, flashlights and torches to make an unprecedented expression of unity against the dreaded Coronavirus.

Bollywood celebrities like Anushka Sharma, Virat Kohli, Goldie Behl, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Alia Bhatt, Soha Ali Khan, Kartik Aaryan, and many more at their homes lit up diyas and candles to stand as one against COVID-19.

Anushka Sharma penned a heartfelt note with a picture featuring Virat Kohli and her pet. She wrote, "So tonight, I prayed extra for everyone and I lit diyas with the whole of India and we all prayed for each other. Prayers never go in vain." [sic]

Alia Bhatt recalled a childhood memory and wrote, "When I was younger I would kiss my dad on his forehead before going off to school and after every kiss he would say “ Aaaaaah .. light aa gayi “
I might have not fully understood what it meant back then.. but because of his response I understood that light has wayyyyyy more depth than just illuminating our lives." [sic]

 

 

 

 

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I light a diya everyday for many years now. And as I light the diya I seek guidance, asking for the darkness in me to be dispelled. For many days since the turn of the recent events across the world, I have prayed to God to end the suffering of so many who are losing their lives without their families beside them, for the less-fortunate and the needy whose lives have turned upside down completely, for all the healthcare professionals who are working tirelessly & bravely to protect the lives of other beings, for those who are uncertain about their jobs and future. So tonight, I prayed extra for everyone and I lit diyas with the whole of India and we all prayed for each other. Prayers never go in vain. 🪔💜✨

A post shared by AnushkaSharma1588 (@anushkasharma) on Apr 5, 2020 at 9:06am PDT

 

 

 

 

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When I was younger I would kiss my dad on his forehead before going off to school and after every kiss he would say “ Aaaaaah .. light aa gayi “ I might have not fully understood what it meant back then.. but because of his response I understood that light has wayyyyyy more depth than just illuminating our lives. Light means so much. It’s hope, beauty, strength.. today it was unity.. But no matter where we are and what we are going through we must always try and keep the light within us alive 🔥

A post shared by Alia Bhatt ☀️ (@aliaabhatt) on Apr 5, 2020 at 9:01am PDT

 

 

 

 

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Together, Everything is Possible 🪔🙏🏻 #9Baje9Minutes

A post shared by KARTIK AARYAN (@kartikaaryan) on Apr 5, 2020 at 9:17am PDT

PM Modi's appeal

PM Modi, in an address to the nation on Friday, appealed Indians to switch off the lights in their homes for nine minutes on April 5 at 9 pm in order to show the nation's unity in the fight against coronavirus pandemic. PM Modi in his third COVID-19 speech said, "On Sunday, April 5, we must challenge Coronavirus & introduce it to the power of light; 1.3 billion people must show their united power, at 9 pm for 9 minutes, by turning off all lights at home, standing at balconies, and lighting diyas, candles, flashlights."  In his appeal, PM Modi reiterated people to maintain social distancing and keep off from the streets. Currently, India has reported 3374 COVID-19 cases with 77 deaths till date.