For 9 minutes: India, light a floating diya

During 21 days of lockdown, people staying at home seek various ways to pass their time at home. In this quarantine period, the assignments given to us by our honourable prime minister, Narendra Modi to illuminate the common purpose we are fighting for, is drawing people's attention from worldwide. Reliance is a key to triumph; and apparently, his ordinary assignments that he gives to us are an attempt to cherish people during these difficult hours. Without question, people should endeavour to partake in the activities given by him.

A few days back, when he told us to bang the utensils or to ring the bell at 5 pm on Sunday, 22nd March'20, I was dubious whether people would participate in that activity with contentment. However, I was surprised to see that almost everybody in my locality created noise thunderously, showing their exasperation towards the abhorrent situation in the country. Now, another plan of action to lighting the candle, diya or mobile flashlight at 9pm on April 5,2020, and we all should be prepared for it.

However, the inevitable circumstances of quarantine have made this task precarious. It is obviously not recommended to go out and buy diyas or candles. One conventional way that will intrigue you all to participate in such an exciting event is by making your own diyas at home. This can be a fascinating activity for you and for your children. Utilizing resources available at home is the best thing you can do at this juncture of time. If you have plants at your home, then you need not go anywhere.

Things you would require are:
1. 3-5 leaves (depending upon which plant you have)
2. stapler
3. adhesives ( standard transparent one would work)
4. a transparent container with water
5. wick and oil

Although, I have taken leaves of Allamanda vine as its leaves are large enough to make an average size diya but you can choose any other plant as per your requirement.

Method: First, you should hold two leaves and staple them at one end. Attach the third leaf in such a way that you have an arrangement as shown in the pictures. You should be able to give it a desirable shape. Make sure that leaves' waxy coating is on the convex side of your diya; it will help to avoid the absorption of water. Moreover, you can secure it with adhesives so that leaves remain in place. You can use more leaves if you want to make a bigger diya.

Once it is ready you can pour ghee or oil and insert a wick in it. Not to mention that as leaves are light in weight it can float on water. Put it carefully on the surface of water kept in a transparent container and you are done.
So, on the upcoming Sunday use leafy diyas to partake in the new task given by PM Modi and enlighten the doors and balcony of your house.