BENGALURU, 5 SEPT

This 15 September, when the world commemorates UN-proclaimed International Day for Democracy, Karnataka hopes to form the world’s longest human chain by linking arms from Bidar to Chamarajanagar.

The human chain will cover all 31 districts of the State, around 2,500km. “This will be the longest such attempt in the world. About 25 lakh people are expected to participate, with an average of more than 1,000 people every kilometre,” Minister for Social Welfare HC Mahadevappa said.

According to him, the participants of the human chain will not only display banners and posters on democracy underlining the concept of liberty and freedom of expression, “but they also remind us of our fundamental duties, like protecting our environment”. “We are also planning to plant 10 lakh saplings across the State by those participating in the human chain,” the minister said.

Last year too, Karnataka observed International Democracy Day by reciting the Preamble of the Constitution of India. “Like last time, people can print their own Preamble copy on the spot at the Vidhan Soudha on 15 September. The route map of the human chain will be published with a QR code so that anybody can come and join the human chain between 9 and 9.30am," Mahadevappa said.

Meanwhile, Mysuru Deputy Commissioner G Lakshmikanthreddy on Thursday appealed to all citizens, students and government officials to participate in the human chain across 60km in the district. The human chain will be formed at Siddalingapura, in front of Kote Anjaneyaswamy Temple, near north gate of Mysuru Palace after garlanding the statues of Dr BR Ambedkar at Town Hall and other places. —PTI, Salar News