Hyderabad locals light crackers, bonfires during PM’s ‘9 PM, 9 min’ call

HYDERABAD: Residents of the city answered Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to show solidarity with the nation’s fight against coronavirus by bursting crackers and lighting huge bonfires. Some people even took out mashaal juloos (flambeau) in their colonies, defying social distancing and lockdown norms.
Even before the clock struck 9 pm, people had started lighting diyas, lamps, and torches along with crackers.Although the call was made for nine minutes, many continued their activities for over 30 minutes.
“It seems as if the message among people went askew as they lit fire crackers and set up bornfires. Such activities must have added to the pollution levels, which were otherwise low post lockdown,” said Krishna Venu, a senior citizen in Sainikpuri.
The atmosphere seemed to be like mini Diwali, as people emerged from their houses and stood in balconies and terraces, as requested by the Prime Minister. Many people also raised slogans of ‘go corona go’, ‘Jai Hind’ and ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ as they released sky lanterns.
Chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao lit a candle at Pragathi Bhavan to support the united fight put up by the entire country against the spread of coronavirus. Hyderabad traffic cops also flashed their mobile lights at KBR junction during duty hours.
Many residents took precautions amid concerns over grid failure due to sudden reduction in power consumption. The CM congratulated Tranco Genco Discom officials for maintaining the electricity grid during the call.