The innovative experiment is jointly sponsored by Union Government, Rajeev Gandhi Foundation, National Aids Control Organisation (NACO), Nehru Yuva Kendra and other agencies.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had flagged of the train from New Delhi in last December. It is expected to disseminate information on AIDS directly to as many as 5 crore people and reach 25 crore more through media.
Aptly termed Red Ribbon Express, the train will traverse 27,000 kms across the country through 24 states and 8,544 villages before reaching Delhi on the Dec 1, this year.
The train which entered the state from Jolarpet in Tamil Nadu will halt at Bangarpet for three days. The stayis expected to sensitise people of at least 100 villages in the in the vicinity.
Warm Welcome
Minister for Housing and Muzarai, S N Krishnaiah Setty who received the train felt that there was a need to launch a large-scale campaign to check the spread of AIDS.
“Any laxity in measures to prevent the spread will kill the people without any war”, he hinted subtly on the catastrophe that the disease portends for humanity. Citing unprotected sex as the prime reason for the spread of the virus, the minister opined that young generation, particularly, needs to be educated in that behalf.
Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Sewerage Board chairman Varthur Prakash lamented poor publicity for the event. Disclosing that a sum of Rs 38 lakh would be spent on Red Ribbon Express in the state, he called upon the public to take advantage of the opportunity to know more about HIV.
Sensitisation
There was an exhibition communicating vital information on AIDS in the train compartments. As many as 60 people were sensitised in various sessions. A specialist in Venereal Diseases brief ed the visitors on sexually trasmitted diseases.
Members of Nehru Yuva Kendra presented street plays, jaatha on the theme. Performance by folk art troupes from various parts of the taluk attracted the public. Population Services International has provided two buses which would traverse across the district.
Legislators Amaresh, M Narayanaswamy, deputy commissioner G R Srinivas, former MLA B O Venkatamuniyappa, taluk panchayat president Shankarappa, vice-president Sumithra, Zilla Panchayat member Muniswamy, Planning Director of Karnataka Aids Prevention Society Niyala Mitash and others were present.
