The "maturity and seriousness" shown by the public during the lockdown to stem the spread of coronavirus are unprecedented, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today, a day after millions of people across the country switched off non-essential lights and lit diyas (earthen lamps) and candles in their balconies and verandas following a call from PM Modi to show solidarity with the country's fight against coronavirus or COVID-19. Addressing BJP workers on video on the party's 40th foundation day, PM Modi said: "It is going to be a long haul, we do not have to tire, our resolve and mission are to emerge victorious in fight against this pandemic."
109 people have died of coronavirus in India, with 32 dying and 693 fresh cases in the last 24 hours alone, the highest so far. The latest figures from the Union Health Ministry take the takes the total number of COVID-19 cases in the country past the 4,000-mark, to 4,067 cases. On Sunday the PM Modi spoke to two former Presidents and Prime Ministers and all senior opposition leaders, including Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The phone calls came roughly two weeks after he ordered a three-week "total lockdown" to control the spread of the virus - a lockdown criticised by the opposition who had not been consulted on the matter. Sources said the calls were part of an outreach on the lifting of the lockdown.
