Showing Solidarity by Lighting Candles

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hae appealed to citizens to switch off their lights at 9 PM on sunday för nine minutes and light candles or flash torchlights at the doorsteps or balconies as show of solidarity amid a nationwide Lockdown.

But the showing of solidarity by lighting candles or flash bulbs is not a new concept.Infact, Japanese and Italians already implemented the concept of solidarity by lighting candles or flash bulbs.

On 12 February, residents of beach side resort of Katsuura in Japan gathered to light up the shore outside the hotel where the 176 returnees from Wuhan in China had been kept in “self-quarantine” to show their solidarity.Those who were inside the hotel watched the candle lighting.

On 16 March, Roma residents light candles to overcome the social isolation imposed by the country’s coronavirus lockdown. Messages shared on social media platforms called residents to switch off their lights at 9 pm, with the goal to make the hand-held light show visible from the space. Sunday night Italians were invited to switch off their electric lights and hold up mobile phones, torches and candles to create a beautiful night landscape.