NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday reminded the country to switch off lights for nine minutes at 9 pm.

On Twitter, Modi said "9 pm (-) 9 minutes".

Few minutes later, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also tweeted the same -- "tonight at 9 o'clock nine minutes".

Modi on April 3 asked the countrymen to light lamps or candles for nine minutes at 9 pm on Sunday.

"On April 5 (Sunday), at 9 pm, turn off all the lights in your homes, stand at your doors or in your balconies, and light candles or diyas, torches or mobile flashlights for 9 minutes," Modi said, adding this is to challenge the darkness caused by the coronavirus.

He said this is also to awaken the superpower of 130 crore Indians. The country is under a lockdown till April 14 due to coronavirus. So far, close to 3,400 cases of coronavirus have been reported in the country with 77 deaths.