Its work done, Red Ribbon Express leaves city

He further said that the enthusiasm and feedback received from the visitors clearly indicated that the objectives of the RRE have been achieved successfully.

Students from different schools shared their experiences after visiting the train and stated that the methods used in the initiative to educate people were very creative and informative.

Sandeep Mittal, Deputy Director, SACS, and Manish Kumar, team leader of the Technical Support Unit and Mainstreaming Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh, stated that over 1,000 visitors had received guidance from the counsellors on board.

“Approximately 400 visitors received treatment for Sexually Transmitted Infections from the doctors. Six batches, each comprising 40-60 participants, were trained in two days. The training programme was attended by nurses, CISF jawans, NSS/NCC volunteers, youth groups, students and teachers of various streams like social work and public health,” he said.

A group of 60 nursing students of Fortis as well as members of the hospital’s ACTFAST team visited the exhibition-cum-PEP training at the Red Ribbon Express on Monday.

The students were advised to adopt a sensitive and liberal attitude towards People living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) so that they can provide proper care to the patients.

Topics discussed at the training were: ‘Education is the best vaccine against HIV/AIDS’, modes of transmission, high risk groups, adolescents and sexual behaviour, steps to prevent the disease and myths and misconceptions.

An HIV+ woman, whose husband and two children were also detected with the virus, shared her experience at the workshop.

She said, “More than the disease, it is the social stigma attached to it that makes a person undergo mental agony and harassment.”

She has now dedicated her life to spreading awareness about HIV/AIDS and changing people’s perception about the disease. Post-training, the participants visited the other coaches of the train, which showcase facts about HIV using visual aids.

Meanwhile, Dr Manjit Singh Bains, director, Health and Family Welfare, Chandigarh appreciated the efforts of NACO and the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation for conceptualising the project.

He also thanked the State AIDS Control Society, Chandigarh, and Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan for carrying the message of the RRE to the masses.

Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 35, organised a special function for the members of the Red Ribbon Express on Monday. Ravi Raj Kaur, principal, was the chief guest on the occasion. Incharge of the train’s cultural team, Kamalpreet Singh, spoke on the importance of spreading awareness about HIV/AIDS . His team also presented an educative skit on the theme.

A quiz was also organised to test the awareness level of the students. In her address, Kaur appreciated the efforts made by the government in initialising the train project, which has covered several parts of the country.

The RRE will now move on to Kurukshetra. It will reach New Delhi on November 28, where it will be open for the general public till December 1, after which the project will be terminated.