Red Ribbon Express arrives in Chandigarh

The much-awaited Red Ribbon Express finally arrived at Railway Station, Chandigarh on Wednesday. K K Sharma, IAS, Adviser to the Administrator, UT, Chandigarh was the chief guest for the inaugural function of the Red Ribbon Express campaign at Chandigarh Railway Station.

Dr Vanita Gupta, Project Director, Chandigarh State AIDS Control Society explained the motive behind this campaign. She said that in 2010 the train arrived for the first time in Chandigarh, and that this is the third phase of this campaign wherein the focus is more on youth and women.

She also said that along with the Red Ribbon Express train, the specially fabricated IEC van along with folk troupes will move around in the city for creating publicity about the visit of RRE and HIV/AIDS awareness. She also encouraged the visitors of RRE to get themselves tested for HIV in the arranged special free mobile counseling and testing centre in Coach No 6. In response to this, 38 blood samples were collected. Total visitors to the train were 8266 and 56 people got themselves checked for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI).

Students from schools and colleges and people from all walks of life came in large numbers at the railway station to see the Red Ribbon Express Train. Cultural performances i.e. bhangra, giddha, plays were also staged for the public at the railway station by the students of schools and colleges of Chandigarh.

Others who were present during the inauguration include Anil Kumar IAS, Secretary Health, UT, Chandigarh, D K Tiwari IAS, Special Secretary Health, UT Chandigarh, Mohammed Shayin IAS, Deputy Commissioner, UT Chandigarh, Dr Rajiv Vadehra, officiating Director Health Services, UT Chandigarh, K Syama Prasad, Joint Director (IEC), NACO and Dr Vanita Gupta, Project Director, CSACS.

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