india

Updated: Jan 21, 2018 22:39 IST

Lakhs of people across Bihar formed a 14,000km-long human chain on Sunday to spread awareness against social evils against child marriage and dowry, which have high prevalence in the state, to build an atmosphere against these social evils.

Chief minister Nitish Kumar, along with his deputy and BJP leader Sushil Modi flagged off the initiative from the historic Gandhi Maidan.

The chief minister said the human chain was a manifestation of people’s resolve to fight the social evils and it was successful in generating the enthusiasm needed to take it forward for a positive and lasting change in society.

“Ultimately, it is the spirit of human chain that is important. The way people started identifying with the prohibition drive to make it their own campaign scripted its success. This is also people’s campaign. I am happy with the high level of support,” he said.

Chief secretary Anjani Kumar Singh said that this year the targeted length of the human chain was about 13,660 kilometres, but it crossed the 14,000-km mark.

He also said that there were clear indications from around 15 districts that the participation of people in the initiative was at least 10% higher than the last year, when over four crore people formed the chain in support of the prohibition drive, adding that exact details of participation would emerge later.