Bhubaneswar, Dec. 10: Around 20,000 tribal students from across the state today came together to form a human chain to create awareness about various rights to mark the Human Rights Day.

Carrying placards and banners, students belonging of the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) held hands for two minutes to form a 25-km human chain that covered almost the entire city.

The “Human Chain for Humanity” started from the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology campus and covered a radius of 25km passing through Jayadev Vihar, Ram Mandir Square, Master Canteen, Raj Mahal Square, Capital Hospital Square and Shastri Nagar. The students also performed traditional dances, nukkads and skits as part of the event. “This was the longest human chain ever by tribal children,” said the organisers.

This year’s spotlight is on voicing various issues concerning women, youth, people from minority communities, people with disabilities, indigenous people and the poor.

Health minister Damodar Rout, mayor Anant Narayan Jena and many Odia film stars, Sabyasachi, Sritam, Pappu Pom Pom, Anu Choudhury and Gargi took part in the event and cheered the children.