The Hindu : New Delhi News : Peddling their way across the country to create awareness about AIDS

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, May 31, 2006

New Delhi

New Delhi

Peddling their way across the country to create awareness about AIDS

Two young men from Andhra Pradesh have come up with a novel idea to create awareness about AIDS in the country. Chalagiri Chandra Sekar and Chalagiri Tirupathi Rao, who set out on their bicycles from Guntur district on August 28 last year, plan to cover 15 States in a year's time, informing people along the way how they can avoid contacting the deadly disease.

Drawing inspiration from the humanitarian work done by Mother Teresa and the social work by Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi, the young men have so far covered 10 States. They have now firmly set their eyes on completing their mission within the stipulated period. "So far we have peddled through Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi. Everyday we peddle 100 km, irrespective of the terrain and weather.

During the day, we take a break to eat something from a roadside dhaba. We also distribute pamphlets in regional languages on this deadly menace in every State," said Chandra Sekar, who was in the Capital on Monday.

Besides highlighting the ways and means by which AIDS can be kept at bay, the other objectives of undertaking such an arduous journey is to encourage people to donate blood and pledge their eyes.

"Since we are ardent fans of Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi, whose charitable trust runs blood and eye banks, we are committed to spreading his mission. Due to the good work done by Chiranjeevi, hundreds of people have voluntarily donated blood and their eyes in Andhra Pradesh last year," said Chandra Sekar, a B.Com. student of Andhra University.- Madhur Tankha

- Madhur Tankha

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail