Another such rally took place in Uttar Pradesh’s Azamgarh.

Some people burst firecrackers, spoiling the air quality which had just begun to improve to unprecedented levels thanks to the lockdown.

Firecrackers in a residential colony in Greater Noida, on the outskirts of Delhi.
Firecrackers in a residential colony in Greater Noida, on the outskirts of Delhi.
Image: AP Photo/Altaf Qadri

One such instance in Jaipur, Rajasthan, reportedly led to a building catching fire. The fire was contained later.

A similar incident in an apartment complex in Mumbai’s Oshiwara locality was also contained.

Meanwhile, most others stuck to their terraces and balconies. While there were apprehensions about a drastic drop in electricity demand—Modi had asked people to switch off lights—leading to a grid failure, nothing untoward happened.

Here are some photos of the nationwide vigil.

Prime minister Modi had asked Indians to stand in their balconies or their doorways, like these residents in Ahmedabad. Gujarat, did.
Modi had asked Indians to stand on their balconies or doorways, like these residents of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, did.
Image: REUTERS/Amit Dave
Residents stand with candles in their doorway in New Delhi.
New Delhi, too, participated with much enthusiasm.
Image: REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui
Others lit a candle on the pavement in New Delhi.
Some lit up the pavements in the Indian capital.
Image: REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui
In Kolkata, health care staff also lit candles and diyas in solidarity.
In Kolkata, health care staff participated in the exercise in solidarity.
Image: REUTERS/Rupak De Chowdhuri
An Indian policewoman lights earthen lamps in Hyderabad.
An Indian policewoman in Hyderabad.
Image: AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.
Those on duty and with no access to candles improvised with flashlights on their mobile phones, like these security guards in New Delhi.
Those with no access to candles improvised with flashlights on their mobile phones, like these security guards in New Delhi.
Image: AP Photo/Manish Swarup

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