Goans respond to PM's appeal; light candles, diyas

 Majority of Goans responded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to defeat coronavirus by switching off lights in their premises for nine minutes at 9 pm on Sunday amid the national lockdown. Several people stood in their balconies in Panaji, Margao, Mapusa, Ponda, Vasco and other cities, and lit lamps and candles. Some of them switched on flashlights of their mobile phones.

A brief blackout previled as lights were switched off except at places like hospitals and police stations. Some people even lit candles in front of holy altrs in their neighbourhoods. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, BJP Goa president Sadanand Shet Tanvade, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane were amongst the prominent people who joined the call.