PM Modi makes giant appeal to 1.3 Billion Indians for April 5 amid Coronavirus battle

On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that he would share a small video message with the people of India at 9 am on April 3. The Prime Minister has already addressed the country twice since the Coronavirus outbreak in India. 

In his first address, PM Modi called for a one-day Janta Curfew on March 22. In his second address on March 24, PM Modi called for a nation-wide outbreak to contain the COVID-19 outbreak. India currently has 2,543 cases of Coronavirus, with 72 deaths in total. The total number of Coronavirus cases crossed a million mark worldwide, while the total number of deaths past 50,000 on April 2. 

The pandemic that saw its outbreak in the Chinese city of Wuhan spread across the world so rapidly that the countries didn't even know what hit them. China, which initially struggled to contain the virus, has now succeeded reasonably in its bid while the threat moved to European nations such as Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

PM interacts with CMs 

Earlier on Thursday, PM Modi interacted with the Chief Ministers of all the states to discuss the measures to combat the novel Coronavirus. Praising the states for working as a team, he informed them about the possibility of a second wave of the spread of the virus.

Highlighting that the common goal was to ensure minimum loss of life, the PM noted that testing, tracing, isolation, and quarantine should remain the areas of focus in the next few weeks. The PM also flagged the necessity of maintaining the supply of essential medical equipment and called for dedicated hospital facilities for COVID-19 patients. Another important message imparted by PM Modi was that Crisis Management Groups needed to be set up at the district level besides the appointment of District Surveillance Officers.

PM Modi thanked the nation's united efforts to fight the Coronavirus outbreak. Addressing the nation, PM Modi said, "The way on March 22 you had thanked the Coronavirus warriors has become an example for the world; many countries are following suit."

PM Modi asserted that the entire nation is fighting as one. He said, "We are all in the confines of our homes but we are not alone in this fight. The entire nation is fighting as ONE. This crisis has also displayed our collective national unity. This makes us even stronger to fight and defeat this menace."

PM Modi in his address appealed people to turn off the lights on Sunday, April 5, 9 PM and to showcase solidarity by flashing lights or candles through people's windows. 

He 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, & lighting diyas, candles, flashlights."  In his appeal, PM Modi reiterated people to maintain social distancing and keep off from the streets. 

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, in a tweet in Hindi, said that in the ongoing fight against the Coronavirus, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed to all the countrymen to demonstrate the superpower of faith and solidarity. He asked the citizens to display the resolving power of the country with candle and flashlight on April 5 at 9 pm from their homes.

NCP leader and Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Nawab Malik on Friday censured Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal in his third address to the nation on Coronavirus. The NCP leader called PM's message a 'great disappointment' for the people in times of crisis. 

In his tweet, Malik said, "Prime Minister Modi's speech at 9 in the morning caused a lot of disappointment for the countrymen. I thought that it was a matter of lighting the stove, but sir preached to burn the lamp."

Hitting out at PM Modi, Trinamool's Mahua Moitra asked him to give India a fiscal package worth 8-10% of the GDP. In her tweet, further asked him to 'stop gagging' real press in the name of curbing 'fake news.'