J&K residents abroad express solidarity by lighting candles

Tribune News Service

Jammu, April 6

People of Jammu and Kashmir, who live in various parts of the world, also responded to the call of Prime Minister Narendra Modi by switching off lights and lighting candles and torches to show their solidarity with the country.

In Jammu, despite rain and windstorm since 8 pm on Sunday, people came out on their balconies at 9 pm to light candles and torches after switching off their lights.

The PM had on Friday appealed to the people of the country to switch off the lights of their houses, come out on the balconies and light candles and torches for nine minutes.

After lighting candles and torches for nine minutes, people shared their pictures and videos on social media, but the photos and videos from outside the country amazed locals as NRIs, students and others settled abroad also lighted candles to express their solidarity with the country which is combating coronavirus.

“The 12,600-km distance or 10.5 hours of time difference does not matter when your heart is tricoloured. We expressed our solidarity with our country in these nine minutes. We are standing up with all those who are oceans away and lighting up the diyas of hope even if it is broad daylight,” said Dr Vaneet Kaur, Assistant Professor at Kent State University, Ohio, USA.

“We wish everything will be well in India and the whole of the world,” she said.

A family living in Oman also lighted candles at their home to show the strength of Indians across the world.

“My son was so excited since morning to light candles as Prime Minister Narendra Modi had appealed to us to do so. Though we are far from our family, friends, relatives and country, our heart is still there. We wish India and the whole world come out of this difficult time and once again start a normal life,” said Iesha Puri from Oman.

Many J&K residents living in Germany, London and Dubai also shared their pictures and videos of lighting candles, getting appreciation from people of the country.

Ladakh joins fellow country men

• Jammu: People across Ladakh lit lights, including butter lamps, candles, torches and mobile flashlights, to express solidarity with the nation in its fight against Covid.
• Lieutenant-Governor of Ladakh RK Mathur had also appealed to people to participate in the event. Later, he thanked the people of the Union Territory for making the event a success and expressing their united resolve and unwavering confidence in the collective fight against Covid. TNS