Netizens get creative and come out with heart-touching poems and hilarious memes as the time to carry out the next task of lighting diyas draws closer...Imagination on fire

Gurnaaz Kaur

On the day of the Janta curfew, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked Indians to clank utensils at 5 pm to appreciate the frontline workers fighting the corona pandemic, including doctors, medical staff and law enforcement agencies. Now, in his latest video message, he has asked citizens to fight against the darkness of COVID-19 by lighting diyas, candles, torches or even the flashlights of mobile phone. This time he made sure to urge people not to gather on the streets and maintain social distancing.

Many appreciate this decision and even suggest that it is a sign of social strengthening. According to spiritual healer and life coach Priya Kaul, “We are going through a dark phase in life and all we need now, more than ever is love and light. When we will come out in out balconies to light a candle or diya, we are still united by the act. And since it will uplift everyone’s spirit, it becomes a spiritual act.”

Videos highlighting the astrological and numerological benefits of the act have also been doing the rounds. Meanwhile, many celebrities are on the PM’s side. Filmmaker Hansal Mehta paid homage to Modi’s video by sharing a song, Diya Jalao Jagmag, on his Twitter handle. Rangoli Chandel wrote, “Lighting diyas is a very good gesture. Diya creates an ethereal aura, which is very calming and effective, to show each other our support let’s do this, I love how @narendramodi ji also focuses on our emotional needs and tries to heal us in every way …. Jai Shri Ram…”, Parsoon Joshi extended support by writing a poem for the cause and for Taapsee Pannu, it’s another important announcement in the Bigg Boss house. She wrote, “New task is here! Yay yay yayy!!!”

But like always, social media is divided. There have been memes galore. From Akshay Kumar catching up fire and walking like Michael Jackson to Salman Khan blowing fire, the netizens are fired up and this deluge of memes are sure to crack you up.

Stand-up comedians Kunal Kamra and Bhuvan Bam are some of those who have shared their version of Modi’s message. Sapan Verma, another comedian writes, “Agle video message mein pakka koi TikTok challenge aane waala hai.”

Hilarious memes inspired by comical scenes from Bollywood movies like Hera Pheri, Devdas, Dabbang are all over the Internet. Then, one user posted a still from Munna Bhai MBBS with circuit in its centre and it reads, “Get ready for another Diwali—Modi ji ne bola karne ka, matlab karne ka.”

Another one put up a picture of India and says, “NASA has already released an image of India from 5th April.” While he and many other are referring it as India’s Earth Day, many say those selling candles will never be poor again.

A post reads, “Candle supplier after 5th of April: Beta ek zamana tha jab hum bhi gareeb hua karte the.”

With hastag #ModiVideoMessage, there are tweets and posts that go, “Modi ji—Burn candle, earthen lamp or torch in your balcony at 9 pm on 5 April

Corona – Hey Prabhu, yeh kaunsa astra hai.”

Shuru majboori mein kiye the, ab maja aa raha hai.”

“Unbelievable. We got more homework but no education.”