Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


India Falls Silent as It Observes 14-Hour Lockdown

Anjana Pasricha

   NEW DELHI - The sound of silence descended on India as hundreds of
   millions hunkered indoors Sunday in response to a call by Prime
   Minister Narendra Modi to observe a voluntary 14-hour lockdown as a
   surge in coronavirus cases deepens worries about the pandemic in the
   world's second most populous nation.

   Authorities also shut down one of the world's busiest rail networks and
   most public transport including metro trains and suburban train
   networks that are the lifeline in cities like Mumbai as the country
   steps up the fight against the virus.

   Through the day, streets in India's noisy and bustling were quiet.
   Vendors and hawkers who usually line roadsides did not set up stalls on
   a day billed as a "people's curfew" and a symbolic display of national
   resolve rather than an outright ban.

   The eerie calm only broke briefly at 5 p.m. when millions of citizens
   emerged on windows, doorsteps and balconies to clap, ring bells, sing
   and blow conch shells -- a gesture that the prime minister had called
   for to show the nation's appreciation for those providing essential
   services such as health care and sanitation. Those who joined in
   included top Bollywood stars.

   "Today's success may actually presage greater acceptance as we go along
   in the next few days," says Professor Srinath Reddy, President of the
   Public Health Foundation of India. "It was to build social solidarity
   and public opinion in favor of necessary measures of discipline and
   sacrifice rather than diktats handed down."

.