New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 19 last year announced that a ‘Janta Curfew’ will be in place on March 22 for 14 hours as India witnessed an increase in the daily cases of coronavirus disease (Covid-19). Monday marks the first anniversary of ‘Janta Curfew’ announced by PM Modi in his address to the nation and it has come at a time when India is in the grip of the second wave of the pandemic.
A year ago, PM Narendra Modi announced Janata Curfew:
My address to the nation. #IndiaFightsCorona https://t.co/w3nMRwksxJ
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 19, 2020
In light of the situation, PM Modi had urged the people to honour essential workers with a show of gratitude. Citizens were asked to stand in their doorways, balconies, and windows at 5 pm on March 22 and clap their hands, or bang pots and pans in appreciation for the professionals delivering these essential services.
On March 24, PM Modi had announced a 21-day nationwide lockdown. Later, it was extended thrice, with the final phase beginning on May 18, and concluding on May 31. From June 1 onwards, the country started reopening gradually, in what was termed as 'Unlock'.
On the one-year anniversary of Janta Curfew, netizens are sharing videos and memes that were filmed on March 22, 2020. Have a look:
#JanataCurfew Anniversary pic.twitter.com/WxHoXzkeXJ
— Rupesh Biswas???????? (@RupeshBiswas4) March 22, 2021
#JanataCurfew On 22 march 2020, few people did craziest things... go corona go ????????#Corona #Covid pic.twitter.com/srdnJwJTQx
— samita sharma (@samitas53375357) March 22, 2021
This day, last year.
— Prabhakar ???????? (@PRABHAKAR_NAMO) March 22, 2021
Happy #JanataCurfew anniversary. pic.twitter.com/EvXb3oEfBZ pic.twitter.com/l0gtkJcx01
#JanataCurfew #5baje5Minute
— Dark Knight ???? (@DarkKnightRised) March 22, 2021
Throwback ???????????? pic.twitter.com/xVCDNjIJoP
#JanataCurfew is trending
— majaz ul quadri (@Majazulquadri) March 22, 2021
Me recalling every moment of last year pic.twitter.com/03OpYZliCS
Me and my Bois screaming during #JanataCurfew on the balcony---#JanataCurfew pic.twitter.com/xjSS1Fg1LJ
— || ???????????????????????? ???????????????????? || ???????? (@niteshsingh____) March 22, 2021
#JanataCurfew one year ago , on 22 march 2020
— samita sharma (@samitas53375357) March 22, 2021
Go corona go
Ha ha ???????? pic.twitter.com/eBrUK0LB7Z
It's been a year since that day and COVID-19 is still claiming lives, infecting lakhs of people every day and causing anxiety and stress.
In India, COVID-19 cases have started to increase once again after a sustained period of low cases per day. Although vaccination campaigns have started in full swing, the recent spike in cases, especially in Maharashtra, is a cause of worry.
India, on Monday, reported 46,951 new COVID-19 cases, 21,180 recoveries and 212 deaths in the last 24 hours, the Union Health Ministry said. With this, the total number of cases in the country mounted to 11,646,081. Of these 11,151,468 have recovered. The total number of active cases in the country stands at 3,34,646, while the death toll is at 1,59,967.
India is also conducting the world’s largest vaccination drive against the viral disease which commenced on January 16. The second phase of the drive began on March 1 and is currently underway.
