Nitish expresses gratitude to Dalai Lama for hailing

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today expressed gratitude towards Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama for appreciating the decision of prohibition in the state and told him that the state is making efforts to achieve freedom from all kinds of intoxicants.
"The Dalai Lama's appreciation of prohibition has encouraged us and given strength," Kumar said speaking at the closing function of 34th Kalchakra Puja at Bodh Gaya today.
"We wish to assure him that the state is not only endeavouring for total ban on liquor, but making efforts to achieve freedom from all kinds of intoxicants," he said.
Expressing strong commitment towards prohibition, he said Lord Buddha, the 10th Sikh Guru Govind Singh and Mahatama Gandhi had advocated for maintaining distance from intoxicants.

The Nitish Kumar government has declared Bihar a complete dry state since April last year.
The Dalai Lama while inaugurating the Kalchakra Puja on January 2 had praised Kumar for prohibition in the state.
The Bihar CM who was blessed by the renowned spiritual leader for successful conduct of the Kalchakra Puja in India and abroad and said the state government wishes to develop all Buddhists spots in the state.
Buddhist devotees from 92 countries participated in the 34th Kalchakra Puja that ended today in Bodh Gaya.