Prime Minister Narendra Modi's message on Friday urging people to switch off lights at their homes and light lamps, candles or turn on mobile phone torches for nine minutes on April 5 evoked a mixed response from netizens with many hailing it, some criticising it, and others having a light-hearted take on it.
Soon after the prime minister's message was broadcast asking people to participate in the exercise on Sunday 9 PM, people began to express their views on it and tweets with the "9 baje 9 minute" hashtag began trending.
In a video message of over 11 minutes, Modi also asked people to maintain the "lakshman rekha" of social distancing by staying indoors and not getting together in groups during the exercise.
Several among the Twitterati lauded the initiative with a Twitter user saying, "On 5th April at 9pm for 9min, Switch off the light of your home, and light a candle, diya or flashlight...Let's spread the light of unity."
Indian cricketing star Harbhajan Singh also lauded the prime minister for the appeal, tweeting, "We are proud of our Team Leader @narendramodi Let's all continue to Stay home & be Safe. 5th April at 9pm for 9 mins all lights off. Candles, Diya,torch, mobile flash to use but only from home."
However, not all were impressed as several people criticised the call as symbolism and "event management"
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