As nation lighted lamps, power grid delivered

COVID-19: Huge response to PM’s appeal, power minister congratulates systems team

GN Bureau | April 6, 2020


#COVID-19   #coronavirus   #epidemic   #prime minister   #narendra modi   #healthcare   #lockdown   #power grid   #power minister   #RK SIngh  


As Indians switched off lights in homes and lighted lamps and candles Sunday night following prime minister Narendra Modi’s appeal as a gesture of solidarity in the fight against COVID-19, the power grid held up well despite the sudden drop in demand.

In a short video message on Friday morning, the PM had urged citizens to join in the novel initiative. At 9 pm Sunday, for nine minutes, a huge number of people joined in, standing at the doorstep, in the balcony, in the verandah. Some lighted lamps and candles, some switched on the torch light of the mobile phone.

There was a wave of enthusiasm in participating in a community move, symbolinzing their joint fight against the disease that has locked down the nation for 13 days now. Some also burst crackers, in Diwali mood. They shared pictures of their ‘celebrations’ on social media.

Modi lighted a traditional lamp at the prime minister’s residence. President Ram Nath Kovind and vice president M. Venkaiah Naidu also participated in the initiative with their families. Political, religious, spiritual and civil society leaders too joined in. Most places of worship too had lighted up.

Earlier, fears were expressed that a sudden drop in power demand across the nation might lead to a snag in the power grid, and thus RK Singh, Minister of State (IC) Power and New & Renewable Energy, was on his toes to ensure the system continued to work smoothly.

He later tweeted, “The demand went down from 117300 Megawatts at 2049 hrs to 85300 Megawatts till 2109 hrs; that is a reduction of 32000 Megawatts. Then it started increasing. Frequency was maintained within a band of 49.7 to 50. 26 Hz, which means the voltage was kept stable.”

The national grid operator, POSOCO, and the national, regional and state load despatch centres did a great job with support from all generators; NHPC, NEEPCO, THDC, SJVNL, BBMB, NTPC, all state gencos and IPPs, Transcos and Distribution companies and their officers and staff, he added. “Congratulations to all of you. The national power system works as a team. INDIA stands together with the Prime Minister.”

Meanwhile, by Sunday evening, the number of positive cases in India so far rose by 505 to 3,577, with the number of active cases standing at 3,219. COVID-19 has claimed 83 leave so far, including eight on Sunday.

India has been under a 21-day lockdown since March 24, leaving most people confined to home though essential services are running.

 

Comments

 

Other News

NIEPID, Jai Vakeel Foundation sign MOU to scale quality education for Children with Intellectual Disability

To address the need for a uniform curriculum for children with Intellectual Disability in India an MOU was signed between the National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities  (NIEPID) and Jai Vakeel Foundation(JVF) in the presence of Rajesh Aggarwal, secretary, department

Why Right to Peace matters

The world has become less peaceful over the past few years, chiefly because of external armed conflicts. While the world leaders claim to value peace and the respect for human rights and commit to restore peace when it is breached, the global peacefulness remains defined by conflicts, deaths, and the large

Rise in gold prices: Boon or bane for the Indian family?

In India, gold is not just a commodity; it is tradition, sentiment, security and status rolled into one. It sparkles in wedding ceremonies, rests silently in lockers and forms the bedrock of generational wealth for millions. It is no exaggeration to say that Indians do not merely buy gold – they pres

Beyond participation: Why Indian women need economic justice

India pronounced its commitment to gender equality, decent work and inclusive participation in economic, political and social spheres for women. While the rhetoric of progress fills the air, the lived reality for millions of women in India paints a starkly different picture. Despite carrying a heavy worklo

NSE ranks 4th globally in IPO fundraising

The National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) has emerged as the fourth largest exchange in the world in terms of IPO fundraising during the first half of calendar year 2025 (H1CY25), according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence. Between January and June 2025, the NSE raised $5.51

On World Youth Skills Day, let’s ask: What will it take to retain Gen Z?

On World Youth Skills Day, observed every year on July 15, we’re reminded that the future of any economy depends on how well it invests in its youth. In India, where over half the population is under 30, the question of youth skills is not just about employment, it’s about meaning, wellbeing, a

Visionary Talk: Amitabh Gupta, Pune Police Commissioner with Kailashnath Adhikari, MD, Governance Now





Archives

Current Issue

Opinion

Facebook Twitter Google Plus Linkedin Subscribe Newsletter

Twitter