Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the people through a video message. This is PM Modi's first message following the announcement of the 21-day lockdown on March 24. Many believe his message could be related to the COVID-19 infection that has contracted over 2,000 people and killed 53 in the country so far.
Here are the highlights of what PM Modi said in his address to the nation:
The lockdown against COVID-19 pandemic completes 9 days today. The way you all have come together in this time of crisis is commendable.
The way Indians have shown how to stay indoors has inspired the entire world.
Other nations are following India's lockdown example.
I want to tell you all that nobody is alone in this. All of us are together in this.
We must all go through this darkness together. Those who are most affected by this are the poor and marginalised. To overcome this darkness, we must all unite to spread the light and make this darkness of Coronavirus meet the light we all spread.
On Sunday, at 9 pm, turn off all the lights in your house and each person should light candles or switch on torch of their mobile in their balconies. By doing so, we will stand united, we will show that no one is alone in this.
The most important thing in all this is to do so within the confinement of our homes and balconies. At no point of time in this exercise should we come out on the streets. Please remember that maintaining social distancing is the most important thing to do.