PM Modi’s call for lighting ‘diyas’ and candles draws mixed response
Vibha Sharma
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, April 3
Whether a “sensitive and innovative psychological strategy to keep people in lockdown enthused, motivated, collected in times of anxiety and stress” or “yet another media event” by India’s “pradhan showman (biggest event manager)”, the opinion is divided on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s latest effort to evoke collective strength of the country against COVID-19.
After the ‘thali’ exercise on the “Janata Curfew” day on March 22, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday asked citizens to light a candle, a ‘diya’ or use flash light of their phones on April 5 at 9 pm for nine minutes at their respective homes to dispel darkness surrounding the coronavirus.
Within minutes, the appeal had the social media on fire with hashtags trending with varied views on the PM’s latest initiative, some lauding it and an equal number also making light of it.
Some saw it as a “great attempt” by a “powerful world leader” to “infuse confidence and keep the morale up of Indians struggling or passing through times of anxiety and stress in an innovative way” and “make India an example for rest of the world”, others called it yet another “event management”, a “photo-op” to digress attention from real issues and bigger problems”.
“Symbolism is important, but serious thought to ideas and measures is equally important,” wrote former Finance Minister P Chidambaram.
“We will listen to you and light diyas on April 5. But, in return, please listen to us and to the wise counsel of epidemiologists and economists.
“What we expected from you today was FAP II, a generous livelihood support package for the poor, including for those categories of poor who were totally ignored by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharama. Every working man and woman, from business person to daily wage earner, also expected you to announce steps to arrest the economic slide and re-start the engines of economic growth,” wrote Chidambaram.
However, BJP leaders, including party president JP Nadda, and supporters were all in praise of the prime minister and asked the people to follow his directive.
Some even saw some “astrological” reasoning behind the time chose by the PM
“Under PM Modi’s leadership the country has fought coronavirus bravely and in order to continue the fight we stand in solidarity,” said Nadda, urging all BJP workers to spread the message while following social distancing.
“At 9 pm on April 5, we will go out in the doors or balcony of our house and light the torch, lamp or mobile light and defeat the darkness of this corona crisis,” said Nadda
But for senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor it was feel-good moment “curated by India’s photo-op Prime Minister”.
“Listened to the Pradhan Showman. Nothing about how to ease people’s pain, their burdens, their financial anxieties,” Tharoor said, hitting out at the PM.
“No vision of the future or sharing the issues he is weighing in deciding about the post-lockdown. Just a feel-good moment curated by India’s Photo-Op Prime Minister!” the Thiruvananthapuram MP tweeted.
Meanwhile, the jury is out on what is being called a great moment that everyone will be looking forward to on April 5.
Italy had also done it with residents lighting candles to beat the social isolation imposed in one of the worst affected countries due to coronavirus.
Responding to the Congress criticism, BJP president JP Nadda said even in these difficult times the Narendra Modi government has taken several steps for the benefit of villages, poor, farmers and women and provide them relief.
The government has announced several measures to strengthen the economy of the country but it appears that the Congress party cannot see it because they are wearing an anti-national blindfold, he said.
