Janta curfew: Sachin Tendulkar, Vinesh Phogat and other sports stars hail essential service providers fighting against COVID-19

New Delhi: India’s sports fraternity joined the nation on Sunday to salute the essential services providers engaged in fight against COVID-19, by clapping for them or sharing messages and videos of gratitude on social media. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had urged the Indians to observe ‘Janta Curfew’ and express gratitude towards the health-care workers and other basic service providers, and his appeal received an overwhelming response from the citizens on Sunday evening. Indian men’s hockey team coach Sjoerd Marjine posted a video of all the players clapping at their training centre in Bengaluru. Wearing the team’s jersey, the players positioned themselves on different floors of the building and clapped in tandem.Former India cricketer Virender Sehwag took to twitter to share his gratitude. “A big Salute to all the warriors who are working tirelessly .May this pass soon and may there be peace, peace and peace. Om Shanti Shanti,” he tweeted. Wrestling superstar Bajrang Punia also posted a video, showing a lot of people beating the plates, in solidarity with the medicos and all those who provide essential services. “I thank all the health-care workers and all the people in the frontline fighting COVID-19. You are the real heroes I salute you,” Bajrang tweeted. Former India captain and coach Anil Kumble took to Twitter to express his gratitude. “Thank you to all the heroes who are helping us in fighting COVID-19. Let us stay strong and continue our fight,” he tweeted. Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar urged the people to continue to stay disciplined. “Today India came together even while staying in our homes. While we are at home there are many who are selflessly performing their duties. “Thank you to each one of you for putting us before yourself. The discipline & commitment we showed today needs to continue,” he tweeted.

Today India came together even while staying in our homes.

While we are at home there are many who are selflessly performing their duties.

Thank you to each one of you for putting us before yourself.

The discipline & commitment we showed today needs to continue.#JantaCurfew pic.twitter.com/Cda4z9L4R7

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) March 22, 2020

The Olympic-bound athletes such as weightlifter Mirabai Chanu and sprinter Hima Das also joined the people of the country in the appreciation act as they were also seen clapping from the SAI centre in Patiala. Star woman wrestler Vinesh Phogat also posted a video of her mother beating a steel plate with a big spoon. In another tweet, she posted, “Salute to all those who are working tirelessly. What a feeling to see India on a united front against this battle.!! " Shooter Heena Sidhu also shared a video, shot from the balcony of her house, along with a tweet which read, “Here is the video from my balcony! What atmosphere!! “Thankyou everyone for fighting back and our heartfelt appreciation to all those who are fighting this disease by putting their lives on the line.” Wrestler Babita Phogat shared pictures with her family, clapping and holding plates in their hands. “I took a determined step to stop spread of COVID-19 by staying at home. I thank sanitation/health/transport/police workers and military officers by clapping and ringing bell,” she tweeted. Golfer Sharmila Nicollet was amazed at the unity Indians showed and suggested extension of lockdown. “Incredible to see so many people in India come out of their houses/balconies clapping, making sounds with thaalis & ghantis for 15 mins to thank doctors, medical staff, police, officials across the globe. Now India needs to go on a complete lockdown and extend,” she tweeted. In another tweet she castigated the people who came out in numbers after 5.05 pm to celebreate the success of ‘Janta Curfew’. Click here to follow LIVE updates on coronavirus outbreak