When it was announced that the ceremony will begin with the traditional lighting of the lamp, the audience waited for the dignitaries to rise, fumble with the lit candle (as is almost always the case) and then light the soggy wick multiple times, till the flame comes alive. 

The defence minister too seemed to be preparing for this, when the organisers placed a switch before her and asked her to switch it on. 

When she flicked on the switch, the kuthu vilakku lit up prettily, with minuscule iridescent bulbs rather than the usual flame. 

Sitharaman too was surprised and mildly impressed. She stated that during most events, where lighting the traditional lamp was the custom, the chief guests – including her — often had to bear the brunt of melted wax falling on their hands, while they tried to light the lamp.