Governor Ram Nath Kovind, in his address on the last day of the three-day Bihar Divas celebrations on Friday, strived for the development of Bihar .

Speaking at the function on Gandhi Maidan, Kovind said the celebrations had given people the opportunity to know their art, culture and tradition with a sense of respect.

Kovind said: "Bihar is developing, but to take it to the league of developed states, it is every resident's duty to work hard to take it there."

An eminent lawyer, Kovind, who has served as Rajya Sabha MP twice, spoke about Bihar's rich historical, cultural and traditional significance and appreciated the steps the state was taking under chief minister Nitish Kumar, especially in introducing prohibition.

The governor said: "Last year, the state government introduced prohibition and the success of the human chain against de-addiction on January 21 established the fact that people had supported the government move."

This year, de-addiction was the Bihar Divas theme. In 2016, it had provided the platform to Nitish Kumar to announce liquor prohibition.

Kovind said: "Bihar has been the land of Gautam Buddha, Lord Mahavir and Guru Gobind Singh. It was from here that Emperor Chandragupt Maurya set up the vast Mauryan Empire, which extended from Magadh (present-day Bihar) till Afghanistan. Two of the world's oldest universities - Nalanda and Vikramshila - are in Bihar."

The governor talked about Mahatma Gandhi, who had started his maiden satyagraha (movement) from Bihar.

Education minister Ashok Choudhary praised Kovind and said: "The governor has ensured transparency in selection of VCs in state universities."