Responding to PM's call, Odisha lights diyas at 9 pm

Bhubaneswar, Apr 5 () People across Odishaexpressed solidarity with the countrys battle against COVID-19 by lighting earthen lamps and candles at 9 PM on Sunday inan overwhelming response to the call given by Prime MinisterNarendra Modi.

Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal was among the host ofdignitaries who joined the initiative aimed at enhancingawareness among the people about the deadly coronavirus whichhas claimed many lives in the country.

The governor along with his family members was seenlighting diyas in front of the Raj Bhavan with electric lightsin the building switched off.

Similarly, state minister Raghunandan Das and RajyaSabha MP Sasmit Patra also lit lamps and candles outside theirhouses.

"This symbolises our resolve to remove the darkness ofcorona," Patra said.

In the state capital Bhubaneswar, most of the housesput out lights at 9 PM and lit diyas and candles on theirbalconies and near the main doors.

People belonging to different spheres of lifeincluding police personnel were also seen switching on theflashlight of their mobile phones for nine minutes from 9 pm.

Similar reports were received from other parts of thestate including Cuttack, Berhampur, Sambalpur, Balasore, Puri,Rourkela, Dhenkanal, Angul, Baripada and Bhadrak.

No report of any power issue was received fromanywhere in the state.

The Odisha Government had issued an advisory askingpeople to maintain the stability of the grid system by keepingelectrical appliances such fan, refrigerator, TV, airconditioner, computer and lift on.

Earlier in the day, Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy saidlights in essential services such as hospitals, police,municipalities and public utilities should remain switched on.Street lights will also remain switched on. SKNNN NN