Team India spreads the light
Cricketers and their families join the nation in the PM’s ‘Light-to-Fight’ campaign
Indian cricketers, both men and women, responded to PM Narendra Modi’s latest initiative to symbolically represent India’s united fight against the Coronavirus, and lighted diyas at 9 p.m. on Sunday.
Many of them talked to DC about their thoughts and emotions while joining their fellow Indians in the ‘Light to Fight’ campaign. Team India captain Virat Kohli’s actress wife Anushka Sharma says she lights a diya every day, but on Sunday, she prayed extra hard for those reeling under the impact of the virus. “I have been lighting diyas for many years now. And as I light the diya I ask for the darkness in me to be dispelled,” she posted on her Insta. She said since the present crisis began, she had been praying for an end to the suffering and for the less-fortunate whose lives have been turned upside down, for healthcare professionals working tirelessly and for those who are uncertain about their jobs and future. “Tonight I prayed extra hard for everyone as I lit a diya … along with the whole of India... Prayers never go in vain,” she posted, alongside a photograph of herself lighting the lamp with Virat by her side.
Rohit Sharma’s family played a Sanskrit Mangala Mantra — Loka Samantha Sukhino Bhavantu — during the nine-minute campaign. “We felt very good and happy while lighting lamps. We lit diyas and candles and turned on the flashlights on our mobile phones. The view outside was unbelievably beautiful,” said Rohit’s brother Vishal.
Hardik Pandya and his brother Krunal Pandya lit candles. He also posted a video on Insta and captioned it: “Wonderful to see the entire country come together to show our heartful gratitude and support for the healthcare staff. Amazing initiative for all of us Indians to be a part of .... . Jai Hind.”
Deepti Sharma, a member of the Women’s cricket team said, “I am proud to have participated in this nation-wide initiative. Nobody is alone; we all are united in the fight against Covid-19. My family is spending time together though we practice social distancing.”
Another woman player, Ekta Bisht, said, “It was a great feeling to see all Indians coming together to fight against the coronavirus.” Other members of the Indian women’s cricket team who participated in the campaign were Tanya Bhatia and Richa Ghosh. “We lighted diyas as a family, and also prayed to God for the safety of the whole world, and victory over this deadly virus as soon as possible,” said Tanya.
Richa, who lit candles at her Kolkata home, added, “It was definitely a morale booster for the whole family — being isolated and locked down. It fostered the feeling that we are all united, irrespective of caste, creed and religion.”
Anushka Sharma says she lights a diya every day, but on Sunday, she prayed extra hard for those reeling under the impact of the virus. “I have been lighting diyas for many years now. Tonight I prayed extra hard for everyone as I lit a diya … along with the whole of India... Prayers never go in vain.”
Rohit Sharma’s family played a Mangala Mantra — Loka Samantha Sukhino Bhavantu — during the 9minute campaign. “We felt very good and happy while lighting lamps. We lit diyas and candles and turned on the flashlights on our mobile phones. The view outside was unbelievably beautiful,” said Rohit’s brother Vishal.