New Delhi, January 22

With ringing of bells, beating of metal plates and clapping, people across the country on Sunday evening expressed appreciation for medical and other staff who are on the frontline of the battle against the coronavirus.

The clanging sounds rang in the air as the clock struck five and people came out in balconies, lawns and terrace following an appeal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to show solidarity with doctors, nurses and others involved in providing essential services, as the country observed an unprecedented ‘Janta Curfew’ to check the spread of the virus.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday thanked people for expressing their gratitude towards those at the forefront of fight against coronavirus outbreak.

“The country thanked each person who led the fight against the corona virus. Many thanks to the countrymen,” Modi wrote on Twitter.

Earlier, he had reminded people to express their gratitude towards those who have been at the forefront of combating coronavirus, and extending essential services without fearing for their safety.

In his address to the nation on Thursday, he had lauded the hard work of medical professionals, sanitation staff, airline crews, delivery persons and media personnel among others.

A child in Chandigarh took the occasion to create an orchestra of his own

Modi had asked people to express gratitude to them by giving them a five-minute standing ovation at 5 pm on Sunday by clapping hands, beating plates or ringing out bells. — PTI

In gratitude towards all health & frontline workers, security personnel, sanitation workers & everyone in the line of duty serving selflessly to ensure India’s victory in the battle against COVID-19. #JantaCurfew #IndiaFightsCorona pic.twitter.com/8rOPXmoTne — Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) March 22, 2020

Thank you from the deepest of my heart & soul to all those doctors, nurses, police staff, army soldiers, airline staff, chemist shops and all those working selflessly in this time of global crisis. God bless the world 🙏🏽❤️ pic.twitter.com/2Cwzo6GxOq — Gurdas Maan (@gurdasmaan) March 22, 2020