AIDS awareness for IRBn trainees

The Sikkim State AIDS Control Society organized a sensitization programme on HIV/ AIDS and Tuberculosis for 260 IRBn trainees and officers at the SAP Camp at Pangthang above Gangtok on 19 August 2015.

AIDS awareness to run in Namchi this year

The Sikkim State AIDS Control Society [SSACS] will be organizing an open marathon on World AIDS Day [01 December] at Namchi this year. SSACS has been holding this marathon in Gangtok for the past few years.

Project Director, SSACS, Dr. Uttam Pradhan, informs that the Multi-Media Campaign 2014-15 for AIDS awareness will also be launched the same day. A musical programme and a theme-based drama on HIV/ AIDS will be organized after the marathon.

Speaking on the issue of AIDS, the SSACS Project Director informed that as of end-October, a total of 322 people have tested HIV+ in Sikkim [since 1995]. Of these, 194 are males and 128 were females. 69 people have succumbed to AIDS-related complications in Sikkim thus far. 25 new HIV-positive cases were registered with SSACS in 2014. Earlier, 18 cases were registered in 2013 and 45 in 2012. A total of 1,33,375 people have been tested at the various Integrated Counseling and Testing Centres [ICTC] since 1995, he informed. 

Unplugged, but in tune for AIDS awareness

43 BANDS FROM NORTH AND EAST DISTRICTS AUDITION FOR RED RIBBON UNPLUGGED CONTEST
GANGTOK, 20 Jan: The first round of auditions for the Red Ribbon Unplugged Contest-2013 concluded here at NH 31-A Studio, Deorali, yesterday with a total of 20 bands from the North and East districts qualifying for the second round of this annual musical extravaganza aimed at generating wider awareness on HIV and AIDS.
A total of 43 bands from the North and East districts had registered for the contest out of which 24 bands auditioned yesterday. Only 20 bands from the 24 have been given the go-ahead by the judges to compete in the next round.
It may be informed that the winners of the Red Ribbon Unplugged contest will be awarded with a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh, while the second and third runners-up will receive Rs 50,000 and Rs 30,000 respectively. The winner of the contest also has the option to choose between the cash prize and a package that has an album recording contract with Viacom Studio, Mumbai and the making of a video album that will be directed by local film maker, Prashant Rasaily.
The Red Ribbon Unplugged 2013 is part of Red Fest under the Multi Media Campaign that is being sponsored by the Sikkim State Aids Control Society (SSACS) and is being organized by Serenity Home, rehabilitation and detoxification centre, Gangtok. Auditions for the same is being held at two venues, for the East and North districts in Gangtok and for the South and West districts at Karfectar, Jorethang.
The quarter finals of the contest will be held on 02 February at Gangtok, the semi finals will be held at Municipal Hall, Namchi on 09 February and the finals will be held at Manan Kendra, Gangtok on 17 February.
The judges for the Red Ribbon Unplugged are SK Pradhan, Albert Gurung and Niki Rai who are judging the contestants in three categories, the first being vocals under which the judges will evaluate their tone, diction and lyrics clarity, secondly the judges are looking at the overall balance of the contestants where once again the band’s vocal output, guitars, drums and keys will be tested. The last category where the judges will evaluate the participants will be on the overall presentation.
The participants will not make use of any electrical guitars including gadgets in their presentation because the competition is unplugged. However, the judges and the organizers have allowed one electric bass guitar and a synthesizer on piano mode to all participants. Instruments like tabla, violin, congo and thumba along with acoustic guitars with pick-ups have been allowed.  
It may also be informed that for the West and South districts, a total of 15 bands and solo artists have registered for the auditions slated for 26 January at Jorethang.
The twenty bands to make it to the next round from Gangtok are Arch Angels, Perfect Encounter, Lazy Fingers, Cloud Canyon, Off-Strings, 80’s Engine, Silent Soul, Reverb, Secret Union, Milestone, Smaran, Purple Hertz, Road House Invasion, Atonals, Ban Jhakri Rejects, Heroes of Faith, Sanskriti band, B-Tunes, Butt Punch and Suspended Animation.

53 bands register for Red Ribbon Unplugged contest

AUDITIONS TO BE HELD ON 19 JANUARY
GANGTOK, 15 Jan: The countdown to the AIDS awareness mega event, the Red Ribbon Unplugged competition under Red Fest 2013, has begun. With the first leg of registration of the performing bands over now, auditions for the 53 bands that have registered will begin on 19 January.
Registration for the unplugged competition started from the first week of 2013 with no registration fee charged and the auditions will be held at 31A Studio at SNOD Complex, Deorali.
The Project Director, SSACS, Dr. Uttam Pradhan today said that this year SSACS has included an open drama contest to the programme in the Red Fest and also transformed the Red Ribbon Super Band contest into the unplugged contest. Prizes for the unplugged contest have been declared as Rs. 1 lakh, Rs. 50,000 and Rs 30,000 respectively for the first, second and third positions while the winners of the drama contest will receive Rs 50,000, Rs 30,000 and Rs 15,000 respectively.
It may also be informed that the winners of the Unplugged competition, rounds of which will be held in all the four districts have also got the option to choose between the prize money or get a winning package of getting their album recorded at Viacom Studio, Mumbai along with videos of the album which will be directed by local film maker, Prashant Rasaily.
It may be mentioned that the date for the South and West district Red Ribbon Unplugged audition is slated for 26 January at Jorethang. The Quarter Finals of the competition have been scheduled for 02 February at Gangtok while the Semi Finals will be held on 09 February at Namchi and the Grand Finale to be held on 17 February at Gangtok.
The Judges for the Unplugged competition are S.K. Pradhan, Niki Rai and Albert Gurung.

North dist finals of Red Ribbon Open Drama Contest held in Mangan

GANGTOK, 06 Jan: The finals of the ‘Red Ribbon Open Drama Contest, District Championship” was held on 05 January at the Community Hall, Mangan. With an aim to inform and educate the masses, especially youth and rural population, on HIV/ AIDS and also to inculcate a Behavior Change among all, the Sikkim State AIDS Control Society launched the 3rd edition of its Multi Media Campaign on 07 December 2012. The Campaign is being carried out by SSACS under the aegis of National AIDS Control Organization.
A press release informs that out of 20 confirmed teams from Mangan, only 12 teams competed for the “Red Ribbon Open Drama Contest, District Champ 2012-2013” title. The teams were Upper Singhik Association, Mallling Red Ribbon Club, TITDC Group, Lingdong RRC, Upper Singhik Youth Club, Naga RRC (I), Malling Youth Club, Jehovah Generation, Namok RRC, Hee- Gyathang RRC, Naga RRC (II) and Mangshila RRC.
The teams performed on varied topics like Stigma and Discrimination against PLHAs, Positive Living (ART), Safe Sex Behavior (Consistent Use of Condom), HIV/AIDS and Substance Abuse (Youth Vulnerability), Basic Transmissions and Referral Services.
With balanced combination of humor and information, Malling RRC emerged as the winners, the release mentions. The 1st and 2nd runners-up were Naga RRC (I) and Hee-Gyathang RRC respectively.
Cheques amounting to Rs. 50,000, Rs. 25,000 and Rs. 15,000 were handed over to the winners, first runners-up and second runners-up respectively by the chief guest, Zilla Upadhyakshya, Mangan, Nim Tshering Lepcha.
The teams were judged by Gayatri Rai and Phurba Lepcha (Culture and Heritage Department) and Dr. Uttam Pradhan [Project Director SSACS].
The event was also attended by special guests, SDM, Mangan, P.W Lepcha, Councilor, Mangan Nagar Panchayat, Pappu Kr. Malu and District Youth Coordinator, NYK, N.T. Lepcha.

Winner of Red Fest Unplugged to record at Viacom Studio, get video made by Prashant Rasaily

COUNTDOWN TO AIDS AWARENESS MEGA-EVENT BEGINS
GANGTOK, 03 Jan: A coordination meeting was held here at the chamber of the Project Director, SSACS, Dr. Uttam Pradhan this afternoon where various issues related to the implementation of its annual programme, Red Fest was deliberated upon.
The meeting was attended by representatives of NGOs, judges for the Red Ribbon Unplugged and Red Ribbon Open Drama contest, officers from SSACS and members of the organizing committee.
It may be informed that this year SSACS has included an open drama contest to the programme and also transformed the Red Ribbon Super Band contest into the Unplugged contest. Prizes for the unplugged contest have been declared as Rs. 1 lakh, Rs. 50,000 and 30,000 respectively for the first, second and third positions while the winners of the drama contest will receive Rs 50,000, Rs 30,000 and Rs 15,000 respectively.
Winners of the Unplugged competition, rounds of which will be held in all the four districts have also got the option to choose between the prize money or get a winning package of getting their album recorded at Viacom Studio, Mumbai along with videos of the album which will be directed by local film maker, Prashant Rasaily. Registration for the Unplugged competition is free and is going on at present.
The meeting also provided a tentative date for the auditions of both the competitions. For the unplugged competition, the audition dates are 19 or 20 January at Gangtok and 26 January at Jorethang. The Quarter Finals of the competition have been scheduled for 02 February at Gangtok while the Semi Finals will be held on 09 February at Namchi and the Grand Finale to be held on 17 February at Gangtok.
The Judges for the Unplugged competition are S.K. Pradhan, Niki Rai and Albert Gurung.
Similarly, the Auditions for the Open drama contest will take place on 05 January at Mangan, North Sikkim, 08 January at Namchi, South Sikkim, 10 January at Gyalshing, West Sikkim and 18 January at Gangtok, East Sikkim.
The Finals for each district will be held on 27 January at Namchi, South Sikkim, 30 January at Gyalshing, West Sikkim and 14 February at Gangtok, East Sikkim. The Judges for this competition are Gayatri Rai, Phurba Lepcha and Dr. DS Kerongi.

Street play on HIV and AIDS prevention and care

GANGTOK, 12 Oct: A street play titled ‘Anmol Jeewan’, organized by Sikkim State Aids Control Society and ‘Mahila Kalyankari Sangh’ Arithang was held today here in front of Denzong cinema hall at 3:00 PM in the evening. The play sought to spread awareness on HIV/AIDS prevention and care for the people living with HIV/AIDS.

Sunday School advocacy draws focus on AIDS Orphans

GANGTOK, 06 May: An Essay and Painting Competition was organized today at the Gangtok Evangelical Presbyterian Church to mark the World AIDS Orphans Day. Although the Day falls on 07 May, the event at EPC here was timed for today as an advocacy effort among Sunday School children, teenagers, and youth about the issues and suffering of those orphan children who are living with HIV & AIDS.
The First Evangelical Presbyterian Church Association of India [FECAI] and Christian AIDS/HIV National Alliance [CANA] in co-partnership with Gangtok-based NGO, Concerned for Complete life [CARE] organized the competition.
World AIDS Orphans Day is a grassroots campaign to draw attention to and advocate on behalf of the over 15 million children orphaned by AIDS. Today, a diverse coalition of organizations, government officials and everyday citizens is urging the G8 and donor governments to ensure that 10% of all HIV and AIDS funding supports the needs of orphans and vulnerable children.
A press release informs that the program was based on the theme "My response to AIDS Orphans" which was participated by different churches of Gangtok namely Gangtok EPCS Church, Tadong EPCS Church, Penlong EPCS Church, Church of God, Sichey, Baptist Church, Dev. Area and Hebron Church, Syari.
The Essay and Painting competition was held in three age categories: 12 yrs and under, 13yrs to 18 yrs and 19yrs to 24yrs. The 1st Prize in all the three categories is Rs 5000, 2nd Prize in all the three categories is Rs 2500 and the 3rd Prize in all the three categories is Rs 1000. One consolation prize in all the categories is Rs 500.
The program was facilitated Dr. Songmit Lepcha from Govt. Hospital as a resource person who shared information about HIV/AIDS and AIDS orphans, the release mentions. She also stressed on the importance and our important part of responding to them with different means.

Red Ribbon Super Band Contest ends with Nightmares

ANAND OBEROI
GANGTOK, 13 Feb: Even the cold winter drizzle, freezing weather and erratic power supply in the capital of the state for almost an hour failed to dampen spirits here at the finals of the first Red Ribbon Super Band Contest held at TNA ground here yesterday. Rock enthusiasts and head bangers in large numbers converged here at the venue to mark their participation and standing witness to a competition of this scale organized by various NGOs in collaboration with the Sikkim State AIDS Control Society.
Out of the 63 bands from all the four corners of the state that participated in the competition, which lasted for around three months, five of the best bands rocked it here against each other in a “tight” finish for the top spot last evening.
Taking the top spot in what can be called one of the biggest rock fests the state has witnessed in recent years, were Gangtok based rock outfit, Nightmares who enthralled all including the judges with their rock n’ roll antics. The youngsters belted out three numbers including their own rendition of Roy Orbison’s ‘Pretty Woman’ all in the tune of legendary rock hall of famers, AC/DC.
The Nightmares won the much deserving  prize money of Rs.1lakh after their performance which was last in the line of other great bands like death metal fanatics, Damagera also of Gangtok who through their version of ‘Happy Metal’ won accolades to bag the second prize that had a cash award of Rs.50,000. The third spot was captured by Namchi based trash metal band, Death Squad which was also one of the only bands to emerge from the South district to compete in the finals. The metal heads won themselves some great appreciation along with a cash prize of Rs.30, 000.  
The results were based on the compilation of votes by audience (20%) who voted online and also at the TNA grounds & performance adjudged by the Judges that had marks (80%).
Such was the mood at the finals where everyone had their votes and their ‘war cries’ in support ready every time the names of their favourate bands were announced. There was disappointment for some bands like top performing bands from Gangtok like Fuzzy Logic and Juke Box who had won many hearts throughout the competition. However, the declaration of the top spots today did not hurt any sentiments because the judges did an excellent job and did not leave any area where anyone could question their credibility. The best of the best bands and the best performers of the day won in the end!
The day was also special in its own way since it was also a day that was marked to pay tribute to the rocker and pioneer from Sikkim, Steven Namchyo who passed away recently. The late rock n roller who has his talent imprinted on everyone who grew up with his music was one of the few rock stars from Sikkim who made an identity that talent did exist in this tiny Himalayan state. He was also one of the first persons from Sikkim to make his name recognized in the rock circuit of the country winning him great recognition and accolades till the day he passed away leaving behind an era! Guest Bands who performed paying their tribute to the late rocker were veteran and a legend in his own, Lou Majaw from Shillong, the one and only Still Waters from Gangtok, Route 66 a band where Steven has left his imprint and Dissected Soul a rock outfit from Darjeeling.
Two bands; Wonder Call & Fluid Dream Escape from Gangtok shared the 'Steven Namchyo Red Ribbon Band Memorial Award': Prize money Rs. 10,000/- which was an award which was kept to pay tribute to Late Steven Namchyo & also to encourage the upcoming talents.
The chief guest for the show was N.K. Pradhan, Minister HRDD & Sports & Youth Affairs with Karma Bhutia, Secretary, Sports & Youth Affairs as the special guest, Dr. J. J.D. Pradhan, Director, Health Care, Govt. of Sikkim was also present as a guest at the concert.
All in all the event was a grand success with the message of an HIV/AIDS free state disseminated amongst the targeted audiences, the organizers deserve all commendation as they pulled off what could be an event with could always backfire with the involvement of youth in a rock n roll environment, always considered events where police had to intervene. The concert went of fluidly without any glitches except the power failing in between. The event was also special in its own way since this is also one of the few rock events which has advocated the message that one does not need drugs and alcohol to play or enjoy rock!! Kudos to the entire team! A job well done!

Super Band grand finale this Sunday

PERFORMANCES BY LOU MAJAW, STILL WATERS, ROUTE 66, DISSECTED SOULS ALSO LINED UP
GANGTOK, 09 Feb: The final battle for the ‘Red Ribbon Super Band’ title will be played out this coming Sunday i.e 12 February at Tashi Namgyal Academy ground. North East’s very own rock star Lou Majaw from Shillong along with other renowned bands like Dissected Souls, Still Waters and Route 66/Snow White will also be entertaining the crowd at the grand finale.
Addressing a press conference today, Bethzatha Society founder, Udai Rai mentioned that such a mega event especially targeting awareness amongst the youth on HIV/AIDS and substance abuse was the first big event in the whole hill region. The event has received good response from the young in terms of participation, he added.
Speaking on the contest, he informed that each finalist will have to present three songs, which would not only be judged by the panel of judges but the opinion of audiences would also be taken into consideration.
SSACS Project Director, Dr Uttam Pradhan said that the Red Fest was able to create awareness amongst different targeted groups and received encouraging and tremendous response from the people around the state. He mentioned that they have planned to conduct an impact study of the programme through an external agency in the month of April. However, he stated that the SSACS will continue with its follow up programme.
Dr Pradhan mentioned that through different activities under the Red Fest, the organizers were able to interact directly with around 8000 people and apart from direct interaction the message has also reached audiences through the different activities and the media.
The finalists are Damagera [Gangtok], Death Squad [Namchi], Fuzz Logic [Gangtok], Juke Box [Gangtok] and Nightmares [Gangtok]. The panel of judges comprises of Albert Gurung, Donald Lepcha, Solomon Rai and Diwas Rai. The winning band will take home Rs 1 lakh, while the first runner-up and second runner-up will be awarded Rs 50,000 and Rs 30,000 respectively.
The grand finale will also have performances by other participating bands which did not make it to the finals but managed to impress audiences and judges alike. These are Lightening Volt, Demi Gods, Fluid Dream Escape, Wonder Call, Eye Still, Lazy Finger and Gravity

Red Five Open Football tourney finals today at Guards Ground

GANGTOK, 03 Feb: The semi finals and finals of the ‘Red Five’ football tournament will be played at Guards ground, Tathangchen on 04 February.
The semi-final games will kick-off at 10 AM, where Hope Foundation from the East district will take on West district semifinalist Lingchom Sec School and in the second semi final match Hope A of South district will play against McDonald Singipa Club.
In the afternoon, the final match will be played from 1 PM onwards.  A cash prize of Rs. 50,000 will awarded to the winner of the tournament and the runners-up team will be awarded Rs. 30,000. Women’s football match will also be played at the same venue
Sikkim Legislative Assembly, Speaker KT Gyalsten will be present as the chief guest on the day. The ‘Red Five’ Open Football Tournament was launched at MG Marg on 06 January. The knock-out rounds were played in all the 4 Districts of Sikkim in which over 113 teams from all the four districts participated.
The tournament is being organized in order to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and to encourage youth to engage in sporting activities instead of indulging in drug/substance abuse and immoral behavior.
Sikkim State AIDS Control Society [SSACS] is organizing the tournament in association with HOPE Foundation, Bethzatha Society (Serenity Homes), Recovering Users’ Network (RUN), and Sikkim Network of Positive People (SNP+).

Four teams for Red Fest finals

GANGTOK, 02 Feb: Four teams from the four districts of the state will play it out for the top spot as the best team in the finals of the state level Red Five football tournament which started on 6 January here in the capital.
Four teams have qualified for the finals as district champions who will play against each other on 4 February at Guards Ground, Tatangchen. The top team will receive a cash prize of Rs. 50,000, while the second and third teams will receive Rs.30, 000 and Rs.10, 000 respectively.
It may be informed that the tournament kick started from MG Marg with the participation of over 100 teams from all the four districts. The selections were carried out by the organizers in every district headquarters out of which the best teams from each district qualifying for the finals.
Speaking to NOW! Aketh Targain from Hope Foundation which is one of the organizers of the tournament informs that the finals will be played from 10 am and that other programmes like Hip-Hop dancing and performances by rock bands will be included in the festivities on the scheduled date.
“Through your newspaper we want everyone to know that the finals are open to all. Everyone is welcome to watch the matches and enjoy the performances lined up for the day. The day will be full of excitement and all are invited to share the experience,” says Aketh Targain.
The five a side football tournament has been initiated by Sikkim State AIDS Control Society [SSACS] in association with Boys Club, Bethesda society, SNP+, RUN and Hope Foundation. “Play Safe” is the theme for the tournament which will also see women national players from Sikkim playing an exhibition match during the finals.
It may be recalled that the event is intended at sharing the message of an AIDS free society and highlighting awareness on drug and alcohol addiction to the youth. The tournament is a part of the Red fest which is being implemented in three stages namely, the Positive Intervention in Schools, the Red Ribbon Super band Contest and the Red Five football tournament.

Music to pave way for an AIDS-free Sikkim

JUKE BOX, NIGHTMARES, DEATH SQUAD, DAMAGERA, AND FUZZY LOGIK IN THE FINALS OF THE RED RIBBON SUPER BAND CONTEST
ANAND OBEROI
GANGTOK, 01 Feb: Red Ribbon Super Band Contest is one platform which has brought together different generations of rockers from all over the state to perform on one stage. Who would have imagined that a young death metal band would emerge from a remote village and jam with big names in the rock n roll circuit here? This is what makes this competition one of the biggest rock fests to ever hit the state.
Red Fest is an initiative of Sikkim State AIDS Control Society [SSACS] to reinforce the messages on HIV and AIDS among the younger generation. 63 bands from across the state had participated in the contest out of which 10 bands made it to the semi finals at the Namchi Municipal Hall on 30 January.
In what turned out to be one of the toughest times for the judges, five top bands from the state were selected to fare against each other at the finals scheduled for later this month.
According to Uday Rai of Serenity Home which is also one of the organizers the five bands selected for the Grand Finale of Red Ribbon Super Band contest are Nightmares, Death Squad, Damagera, Fuzzy Logik and Juke Box from Gangtok and Death Squad, a death metal band from Namchi. It may also be added that Juke Box is the only band that has a female vocalist.
“According to the judges, the quality of performances is going up with every song of every round. Like one judge puts it, “the talent we have seen here is tremendous. With a little guidance and dedicated practice every band can be up there with the greats.” adds Uday.
The judges for the competetion comprised of eminent personalities namely Albert Gurung, Surja Solomon Rai, Diwash Rai, and Donald Lepcha.
He also says that competitions such as these should be an annual affair which will take the message of an AIDS-free society to the regional and then the national level. He informed that are invited for the finals to be held in Gangtok for which the date and venue will be decided soon. He added that the finals will also be an event which will have veteran bands from the state performing to pay tribute to Late Stephen Namchu, a local hero who had music in his blood.
With ‘Juke Box’ performing the composition in their classic rock style and Damagera doing the number in their “happy metal” [a term they use for the death metal they play] version, the crowd could not help but asking for more since the bands gave justice to each and every number they belted out.
Speaking to NOW! Siddhartha from Damagera said that they played their self compositions “Pristine” and “Damned for Eternity” which was well received by the audience. He added that Sikkim has never seen a bigger fest than this which has brought both veterans and new comers together on one stage.
Similarly, Dominic from Juke Box which has two members for whom this was the first performance said that no one actually needs drugs and alcohol to enjoy or play great rock and roll music. “I am pretty sure that this fest is trying its best to clear the misconception amongst the youth that music goes well with substances of abuse. The message that music is a drug in itself has gone through and we will take it as an achievement if we are able to convince even one youth from refraining from these social evils through our music,” he explains.
The semi final was a great show with all the bands giving it their best shot. The judges also commented on the new trend amongst the local bands which was to play their own compositions rather than covers. “Just a Phase” a song with the lyrics given by SSACS was also a treat as the music changed from band to band who performed the song as per their own genres.
What also makes the competition a perfect platform is that the message of an AIDS free society and awareness on drug and alcohol addiction is also being highlighted through the different bands that performed to a packed auditorium.
Sharing his views on the competition, Khituk T Lepcha who drove all the way from Gangtok to witness the semi finals said, “I am very happy and proud that we have such talent within our small state. MTV has held a similar competition at the national level which had around 200 bands participating and here there are 63 bands only from our state, this shows that we have the talent which has to be molded through programmes such as this.”
It may also be mentioned that Red Fest is being implemented in three stages namely, the Positive intervention in Schools, The Red Ribbon Super Band Contest, and Red Five open football tournament. Red Fest has been organized by SSACS in association with Hope Foundation, Serenity Homes, Recovering Users’ Network (RUN), and Sikkim Network of Positive People (SNP+). Nayuma Television and 93.5 Red FM are the official media partners of Red Fest. The audio-visual department is being managed by MAARK Pictures, Gangtok

SRDS holds advocacy meeting on legal aspects of HIV and addiction

GANGTOK, 29 Jan: Sikkim Rehabilitation and Detoxification Society [SRDS] conducted an advocacy meeting at the Rangpo Drop-in-Centre on legal aspects of HIV/Drug Addiction on 25 January.
A press release informs that SRDS president, Joseph Tamang and project coordinator, Ayub Tamang gave a brief introduction about the project on Targeted Intervention among IDUs sponsored by the Sikkim State AIDS Control Society [SSACS] and its services by the DIC to the TGs [Target Group].
This was followed by a talk on related issues by Dr Upashana Gurung. Chief guest of the day, SDPO, Rangpo, Linda Palmu, in her address spoke on NDPS/SADA and stressed on the need for NGOs, Police Department and the society to work together in order to fight this problem, the release mentions. She also emphasized on the need for care, cooperation, unity and love to help the young in their fight against addiction, the release adds.

Red Ribbon Express reaches Mangan

MANGAN, 27 Jan: The Red Five open football championship organized by the Sikkim State Aids Control Society (SSACS) was played at Mangan public ground on 25 January. The football championship is part of the RED FEST campaign on HIV/AIDS awareness which is also supported the NGOs HOPE Foundation, SNP+, RUN and Serenity Home, Gangtok.
A total of 12 teams participated in the championship which saw Mc Donalds Singhikpa emerge as the champions defeating Belly Dancers by 2 goals to 1 in the final match held on 25 Jan. The winners will now play in the state level championship to be held in Gangtok.
The programme was attended by DM(N), TN Kazi as the chief guest,  along with SDM Mangan, PW Lepcha, Former chairperson, C Saring, President MNP, Karma Jigdal, councilor, PK Malu, DSO(N), Janim Lepcha, NGO representative, Karma Bhutia and members.

21 bands to rock it out in Red Ribbon Super Band quarters

GANGTOK, 19 Jan: The quarter final round of the Red Ribbon Super Band Contest is scheduled for 21 January from 10 a.m. onwards at the Tadong Government College Auditorium, informs a press release.
21 bands from all four Districts will battle it out for the semi-final berth. It may be recalled that the 21 bands were shortlisted from among 62 which auditioned at Namchi and Gangtok on 05, 08 and 09 January, 2012.
The ‘Red Ribbon Super Band’ Contest is part of the ‘Red Fest’, an initiative of Sikkim State AIDS Control Society to bring about mass awareness about HIV & AIDS and the ill-effects of substance/drug abuse.

Red Five Open Football Tournament begins with 20 matches on Day-1

GANGTOK, 10 Jan: The first matches of the Red Five Open Football Tournament here at Tathangchen Guards Ground today. More than 100 teams from all four districts have registered for the tournament. A total of 40 teams participated in the opening day matches. Twenty teams were eliminated today, informs a press release.
The tournament will be organized in all four Districts. Winners from each District will play against each other for a place in the finals. The State level winner will be rewarded with a cash prize of Rs. 50,000 while the runners up will receive Rs. 30,000, the release informs.
The Red Five Open Football Tournament is part of the ongoing Red Fest organized by Sikkim State AIDS Control Society to generate awareness about HIV & AIDS and drug abuse, especially among the youth, and to bring about positive behavioral change.
Red Five aims to reinforce the message that youth should stay away from drug abuse and promiscuous behavior and embrace sporting activities. SSACS in its endeavor has support from NGOs such as Serenity Homes, Hope Foundation, Sikkim Network of Positive People (SNP+), and Recovering Users’ Network (RUN).Nayuma Television and 93.5 Red FM are the media partners of Red Fest, the release adds.

HIV/AIDS awareness for tour operators

GANGTOK, 11 Dec: An HIV/AIDS Awareness Programme for young tour operators of Sikkim and other North Eastern states was organized by an NGO, Serenity Home in association with Sikkim State AIDS Control Society [SSACS] and Travel Agent Association of Sikkim (TAAS) on 10 Dec at TAAS Office, DPH.

Red Fest concludes at PNGSSS

GANGTOK, 07 Dec: After travelling to ten other schools in East and West Districts, the Red Fest team of Sikkim State AIDS Control Society [SSACS] made its final stop at Palzor Namgyal Girls’ Senior Secondary School.

SSACS takes ‘Positive Intervention’ to schools in West Sikkim

GANGTOK, 05 Dec: ‘Positive Intervention’, an initiative of Sikkim State AIDS Control Society [SSACS], was organized at Yuksom Secondary School and Lingchom Secondary School, both in West Sikkim, on 01 and 02 Dec, respectively, informs a press release.