Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Spreading awareness on AIDS

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Red Ribbon Express (RRE), the special train set up to spread awareness on HIV/AIDS and promote safe behavioural practices as part of the national mass communication campaign, arrived at the central railway station here on a 10-day visit to the State.

The train, parked on the second entry, Power House road side, will be in the capital till Sunday. The train will then proceed to Kollam, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Shoranur and Kozhikode before winding up the tour to the State on July 9. There will be no entry for children below 12 years.

Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs M. Vijayakumar inaugurated the exhibition at a function presided over by V. Sivankutty, MLA.

He flagged-off the bus caravan and ‘kalajatha’ being organised by the activists of the Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) to create awareness on HIV/AIDS among the public. Awareness programmes are being staged in 48 centres and the bus caravan will visit 12 places on Saturday and Sunday.

Divisional Railway Manager Titus P. Koshy, Special Secretary, Health, Usha Titus, District Collector Sanjay M. Kaul and Congress leader Kodikunnil Suresh were among those who attended.

Conceptualised by the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, the train was flagged off by Congress president and chairperson of the foundation Sonia Gandhi on December 1, World AIDS Day in Delhi.

The National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), Indian Railways, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan, Department of Culture, Red Cross and youth from the National Service Scheme are extending support.

The Red Ribbon Express consists of seven coaches.

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