As the clock struck five on Sunday evening, people came out on their roofs beating metal plates, blowing conch shells and bursting firecrackers to express their gratitude to medical professionals, health and sanitation workers for serving humanity in the face of coronavirus threat.

In the national capital too, people came out to beat metal plates, clap and burst firecrackers too thank essential service providers. In few neighbourhoods of Mayur Vihar, people began the gesture before the clock chimed five. Chants of 'Bharat mata ki jay' could be heard amid clapping and firecrackers.

Delhi, like other states, bore a deserted look following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to observe 'Janata curfew'. Millions remained indoors amid the lockdown.

Uttarakhand too saw a sudden burst of activity in the evening as families emerged on their roofs in a collective gesture of thanksgiving to essential service providers.

Men, women and children were seen on their roofs, balconies, verandas and windows beating 'thaalis' or simply clapping or bursting firecrackers to send a message of solidarity with the rest of the country fighting the pandemic.