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Inside a brightly lit spacious hall at the upscale Noida locality in the outskirts of New Delhi, a special prayer meeting was held for China.
"Stay strong China, we are with you," read the placards that participants held in their hands.
The meeting at the Institute of Photography on Monday started with two minutes of silence in the memory of people who lost their lives in China due to the outbreak of coronavirus. The participants, mostly young students, came to express their solidarity with Chinese people -- especially the doctors and paramedical staff who are on the forefront working with dedication.
A traditional oil lamp was lit in the middle of the hall.
"Light from the lamp removes darkness and is a metaphor for the transformation involved in the quest for enlightenment, and through this light of oil lamp we wish to pray for our partner country in its mission to control the outbreak," Himadrish Suwan, chairman of Confederation of Young Leaders, told Xinhua.
The Chinese government "has shown its solid commitment and confidence to win the battle against the outbreak," he said.
Suwan, who is also an advisor to the Confederation of Indian Universities, said they have gathered to express their support and solidarity to their counterparts in China.
During the meeting, the attendees expressed their appreciation for the Chinese government's role in ensuring the safe return of Indian nationals. Recently, many Indian students were brought from China and kept in isolation at a facility in the outskirts of Delhi.
"We are here to echo our concern and express solidarity with China," said Markandey Rai, a senior advisor of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme.
Rai expressed his confidence in China's efforts to combat the virus outbreak, saying it was admirable the country has effectively dealt with the outbreak.
"In these tough times, we stand in solidarity with the friendly people of China," said Rai. "China is doing a great work in stopping the virus from spreading."
India reported three cases of novel coronavirus from its southern Indian state of Kerala. Local authorities declared the outbreak as a "state calamity." However, the alert was withdrawn after the patients' health improved.
On Sunday, the health department in Kerala said it has placed 3,252 people under surveillance, out of which 34 have been admitted in selected isolation facilities. Several cases were also reported in other states, but so far none was tested positive.
Students who attended the meeting said they were hopeful that China would overcome this situation soon.
Abdul Suboor Sultani, a student of photography from Afghanistan, expressed firm belief that "this situation would pass."
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the recent novel coronavirus epidemic a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
India's federal health ministry has launched a 24/7 helpline number to answer queries on the novel coronavirus. Health teams have been deployed at 21 airports across the country to screen visitors.
The health ministry is also circulating precautionary measures recommended by the WHO to prevent the spread of the virus.
Despite an uphill battle to contain the outbreak, China isn't alone.
"I was in China a few days back. The love and concern they showed to us is highly appreciative," the institute's director Rajesh Goyal said. "We are ready to do whatever we can for the people in China."
(by Peerzada Arshad Hamid)
