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AIDS awareness campaign to focus on J&K tribes

Jammu: The nomadic tribes of far-flung picturesque Himalayan range of Jammu and Kashmir are the focus of an HIV/AIDS awareness campaign. The tribes are being imparted knowledge about the ways and means to prevent the dreaded disease.

The Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation has launched a fourfold programme throughout the State with special focus on the tribes of Gujjars and Bakerwals. This was in view of lack of knowledge among people about deadly diseases and sexually transmitted infections.

What makes the initiative unique is the fact that the programme is in Gojri, the language of nomad Gujjars.

Various mass communication techniques such as the use of folk poetry, posters and folk theatre with indigenous settings are being employed. Folk artistes, story-tellers, folk painters and theatre performers have been associated for the purpose.

Javaid Rahi, national secretary of the Foundation told The Hindu that he hoped that the folk media would be a powerful tool to spread knowledge to counter the threat of deadly diseases.

He said "tribal Gujjar doctors" will educate the nomads about health care and the programmes launched from time to time.“We will provide all type of logistic support to doctors of other communities as well who know the Gojri language.”

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