350 Mumbaikars take part in global "Walk for Freedom"

Nearly 350 people from different walks of life today took part in a silent march here to highlight the issue modern-day slavery.
The event, "Walk for Freedom", was organised by A21, an international association of like-minded activists that campaigns for abolition of human trafficking and slavery.
Nearly 350 citizens from different spheres of life walked for 3 kms along Carter Road in suburban Bandra, dressed in black with bandanas across their lips signifying solidarity with slaves across the world who are voiceless.
"The Mumbai edition of the Walk for Freedom was one among 400 such walks conducted in cities spread across 50 countries today. This is the first time that India has participated in the global Walk for Freedom movement," said a statement issued by the non-profit organisation.

The stage for the Walk for Freedom was set by Biju Thampy, founder of the movement, who addressed the gathering.
"The Global Slavery Index says there are over 4 crore people in the world bound in slavery. This means that there are more slaves alive today than ever before in history.
"The Index adds that 18 million of these slaves are in India bound by bonded labour, forced marriage, forced domestic work, commercial sexual exploitation and forced beggary," the statement quoted Thampy as saying.
Participants of the walk included over a 100 students from educational institutes such as St Andrew's College and Rizwi College, NGOs like Vision Rescue and International Justice Mission, and an assortment of individuals from corporates, religious organisations and colleges.