Diya Jalao but Do not switch off from the main switch, ‘Light’ in the times of ‘Darkness’
Pune, April 5, 2020: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed to the people to voluntarily switch off their lights between 9:00 p.m to 9:09 pm today.
“These 9 minutes, at 9 PM on the 5th April will bring our nation closer and strengthen the battle against COVID-19. #IndiaFightsCorona”, PM Modi tweeted today. PM Modi has appealed people to turn off all the lights in their homes, stand at doors or in balconies, and light candles or diyas, torches or mobile flashlights for 9 minutes.
Accordingly Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) has been sending this message to people, “Hon PM has appealed to switch off only RESIDENTIAL LIGHTS from 9 pm to 9:09 pm on 5.4.20. The electricity grid is robust and stable to handle this variation in demand. All electrical appliances can remain operational during this period. Do not switch off from the main switch. Street lights and lights in all essential services such as hospitals, police stations , public utilities etc will remain on during this period.”
After messages started doing rounds that there will be adverse effect on grid system, Union Ministry of Power in a statement said that some apprehensions have been expressed that this may cause instability in the grid and fluctuation in voltage which may harm the electrical appliances. Dispelling these apprehensions, Ministry of Power has said that they are misplaced.
The Ministry has emphasised that Indian electricity grid is robust and stable and adequate arrangements and protocols are in place to handle the variation in demand. All local bodies have been advised to keep the street lights on for public safety.
The Power Ministry further said that following may be noted, “The appeal of the Prime Minister is to simply switch off the lights in their homes from 9 pm to 9:09 pm on the 5th of April. There is no call to switch off either street lights or appliances like Computers, TVs, Fans, Refrigerators and ACs in the homes. Only lights should be switched off. The lights in Hospitals and all other essential services like Public Utilities, Municipal Services, Offices, Police Stations, Manufacturing Facilities, etc will remain on. The call given by PM is to just switch off lights in residences.”
