A specially-designed train, set to travel across the country, including 10 destinations in Karnataka and provide free HIV/AIDS diagnosis facilities, was flagged off by UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Saturday.
The Red Ribbon Express, a National Aids Control Organisation (NACO) initiative, would travel through Hubli, Chikjajur, Birur, Arsikere, Bangarpet, Bangalore cantonment, Mysore, Hassan, Sakleshpur and Mangalore to provide diagnostic facilities for Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD), STIs, HIV and AIDS, free of charge.
The train, which started its journey on World AIDS Day, will aim at spreading awareness about HIV, promoting safe behavioural practices as well as fighting the stigma and discrimination against AIDS.
The budget of the mega project is approximately to the tune of Rs 12 crore.
Rajeev Gandhi Foundation and Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), under the Ministry of Youth Affairs, are also associated. Emphasising on the urgent need to fight social discrimination against those affected with AIDS, Ms Gandhi said, “It is a battle which can and must be won.”This project will help in bringing to the mainstream the fight against the disease, she added.
“It continues to be a major public health concern. No single thing has had such an impact in the world. Men and women in the prime of their youth have been lost to this disease,” she said.Over its year-long journey, the train will traverse over 27,000 km covering 180 stations holding programmes and activities in over 50,000 villages.
Travelling with the train will be two exhibition buses and cycle caravans that will cover the periphery of the districts reaching out to crores of people.
Railway Minister Lalu Prasad, who was also present on the occasion, announced that the government would make available another train for the same purpose.
The campaign would include on-platform and off-site communication activities for maximum outreach and impact. The gamut of activities would include publicity to mobilise people which would be carried out through radio, television, newspapers and outdoor activities, three days prior to the arrival of the train.
