COVID-19: Sportspersons across the country actively participate in ‘Diya Campaign’

On Sunday, the whole country lit up for the 9 pm-9 minutes ‘Diya campaign’, displaying a mark of the unity of the whole nation in the fight against the sinister COVID-19 pandemic. Several athletes from the various discipline of sports also enthusiastically took part in the campaign with a strong sportsmanship spirit wishing the world overcomes this grievous situation and defeats the coronavirus as early as possible.

Cricketers like KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, airgun shooter Manu Bhaker, Footballer Kotal Pritam, badminton players Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu, Boxer Mary Kom, wrestler Bajrang Punia are among many other athletes who participated in this drive.

“I took [art in this initiative, hope you all also did the same. Let us together fight against coronavirus and send the message of unity to the world”, wrestler Bajrang Punia was quoted as saying by ANI.

Some of the athletes shared their moments on the social media platform, Twitter:

My family & I thank the selfless #SanitationWarriors cleaning our surroundings & hospitals, disinfecting affected areas & thus keeping the virus at bay. Let’s also reignite our pledge to take care of our elders, the most vulnerable – by ensuring their physical & mental wellness. pic.twitter.com/tTheS9oO4I

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) April 5, 2020

The light will guide us home 🌍 pic.twitter.com/sj1DtyfCT2

— K L Rahul (@klrahul) April 5, 2020

I m so proud of our country .. we are really fighting hard with Coronavirus ans I m sure we will come out as winner 🙏🙏 #lightdiya9pm9mins tonight ☺️👍 #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/eD0KdpHuot

— Saaina Nehwal (@NSaina) April 5, 2020

9pm-9min
We are together in this.
We are team India.
During this pandemic we stand together but with a distance of 6 feet.@narendramodi @KirenRijiju @mlkhattar @flickersingh @imranirampal @Phogat_Vinesh @BajrangPunia @Neeraj_chopra1 @Boxerpanghal pic.twitter.com/9MCqXoAKq9

— Manu Bhaker🇮🇳 (@realmanubhaker) April 5, 2020

#letstogetherfightcovid19#9pm9min🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/oCvFSWLN83

— Pvsindhu (@Pvsindhu1) April 5, 2020

#9बजे9मिनट, let’s stand is solidarity & beat this terrible time the whole world is going through. We can do it India! #COVID2019 #9baje9mintues @PMOIndia @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/gyVOGWG2cw

— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) April 5, 2020

A prayer in unity does make a difference. Pray for every being and stand together 🙏 https://t.co/EcmiX7EcoA

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) April 5, 2020

India 🇮🇳 will fight against Covid-19 together 👊 and come out as the winner soon.

Let this 🪔 show us the path, soon🙏#StayHomeStaySafe 🏘 #jaihind 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/IIrZwwErjQ

— Pritam Kotal (@KotalPritam) April 5, 2020

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, on Friday addressed the nation and invoked the citizens of the country to turn off all the lights at 9 pm for 9 minutes and light Diyas, candles, torches or flashlight on 5^th April, in a bid to show unity in the battle against coronavirus.

The global confirmed cases of COVID-19 have reached1,261,405 out of which 932,870 cases are active and 68.475 lives have been lost.

In India, the number of registered cases has crossed 3,500 of which 3,260 are active cases and the pandemic has claimed 99 lives in the country.