Dubai: The Indian flag was projected on the Matterhorn mountain in Switzerland, in “hope and strength to all Indians”, in light of the current coronavirus pandemic. Pictures of the tricolour on the famous mountaintop are going viral on social media.
According to an online article by Indian news magazine India Today, Swiss light artist Gerry Hofsetter has been displaying the flags of different countries on the 4,478-metre peak, as part of a series to offer a message of hope to those countries battling the surge of COVID-19 cases.
The mountain Matterhorn is a mountain of the Alps and straddles between Switzerland and Italy. The mountain overlooks the Swiss town of Zermatt.
On their official Facebook page, the tourism organisation Zermatt Matterhorn wrote: “As one of the most populous countries in the world, India is suffering from the Corona crisis. The challenges in such a large country are immense. The Indian flag on the Matterhorn is intended to express our solidarity and give hope and strength to all Indians.”
Online reactions….
This message of solidarity was praised on social media.
The Embassy of India to Switzerland, The Holy See and Liechtenstein, from their official Twitter account (@IndiainSwiss) tweeted the following message: “Indian Tricolour On The Matterhorn Mountain: Indian Tricolour of more than 1000 meters in size projected on Matterhorn Mountain, Zermatt, Switzerland to express Solidarity to all Indians in the fight against COVID 19. A big thank you to @zermatt_tourism for the gesture….”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also wrote in regard to the gesture by retweeting @IndiainSwiss’ message with the captain: “The world is fighting COVID-19 together. Humanity will surely overcome this pandemic.”
Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh who was appointed as Switzerland’s Tourism ambassador also shared the picture on his official Instagram account @ranveersingh, with the caption: “Switzerland’s most famous mountain - the @zermatt.matterhorn lit up in the glorious Indian Tricolour. A message of solidarity and hope... A tribute to the indomitable human spirit … Light Art by @gerryhofstetter …”
On twitter, many shared the image and stated that the world was together in the battle against coronavirus.
Tweep @nirbhaydubey07 posted: “India is one of the country whose national flag was flashed on #Switzerland’s Matterhorn mountain as a mark of solidarity in the battle against the #WuhanVirus. India is also one of the highly risked country where cases are increasing with each passing day.”
And twitter user @ianimeshsarkar commented: “Thanks to #Switzerland for showing the flag of India on Matterhorn mountain and showing our unity in the fight against Corona. #indiafightscorona.”
Coronavirus in India…
According to April 18 statistics, there are 14,792 coronavirus cases in India, with 2,015 recoveries and 488 deaths. Worldwide there are 2,256,844 confirmed cases, 571,851 recoveries and154,350 deaths.
The flags of the US, Japan, Spain and France have also been displayed on the famous mountain.
