3 crore people participated to make a massive human chain to support the prohibition of alcohol and other addictive substances
"Over 3 crore people participated in the human chain formed today in Bihar in support of prohibition, which was beyond expectations", Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said and asked the Guinness book of world records to take notice of the mammoth gathering.
"As per reports reaching from across the state, more than three crore citizens participated in the human chain programme today," Kumar told reporters hours after the event on Saturday at Gandhi Maidan in Patna, Bihar.
The 'unexpected' rush of participants resulted in increase in distance on determined route of human chain to 11,400 km, he said.
Initially it was estimated that more than 2 crore citizens would participate in the human chain in a distance of 11,292 km. The CM began the human chain by joining hands with RJD President Lalu Prasad on the one side and State Assembly Speaker Vijay Chaudhary on the other side for 45 minutes from 12:15 PM to 1 PM.
From Gandhi Maidan the human chain branched into different directions to go across the state.
"The Bihar population at present would have been in between 11 to 12 crore and out of this more than 3 crore coming on the streets to form this human chain clearly shows that people of Bihar have taken a vow against liquor," the CM said.
Taking pleasure in successful organisation of the mammoth programme, Kumar said that directions of the Patna High Court was taken care of and no hindrance was caused in running of essential services.
On being asked if the state government would stake claim to the Guinness Book of World Records for registration of largest human chain in the world so far, Kumar said, "Why shall we make any claim, if Guinness book has to remain Guinness book, it itself will take notice of this congregation of people in the form of human chain."
As per official records, today's human chain in Bihar has surpassed the 1050 km long human chain formed in Bangladesh in 2004.
(With agency inputs)
1. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and RJD chief Lalu Prasad
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Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar hand-in-hand with RJD Chief, Lalu Prasad and cabinet ministers participated in making an extremely long human chain against alcoholism and other addictions at historical Gandhi Maidan in Patna on Saturday.
Image Courtesy: PTI
2. Aerial view of the human chain
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CM Nitish Kumar said that an estimated 3 crore people participated in the pro-prohibition human chain
(Image courtesy: DNA Patna correspondent, Vithika Salomi)
3. Nasha Mukht Bihar
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Students participate, positioning themselves to write the message: Nasha Mukt Bihar, in Hindi.
(Image courtesy: DNA Patna correspondent, Vithika Salomi)
4. Policeman stand in the human chain
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(Image courtesy: DNA Patna correspondent, Vithika Salomi)
5. Women for prohibition in Bihar
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(Image courtesy: DNA Patna correspondent, Vithika Salomi)
6. Art promoting prohibition
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(Image courtesy: DNA Patna correspondent, Vithika Salomi)
7. Swagatam Gayghaat Prakhand
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(Image courtesy: DNA Patna correspondent, Vithika Salomi)
8. Nitish Kumar with students
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CM Nitish Kumar meets school students after the successful human chain for prohibition of alcohol and other addictions.
(Image source: PTI)
