Red Ribbon Carnival to launch Sikkim towards Zero on HIV/ AIDS gets underway

GANGTOK, 19 Dec: The two-day Red Ribbon Carnival 2013 under the Multi Media Campaign for HIV/ AIDS awareness was inaugurated by the Governor Shriniwas Patil here at MG Marg today. The inaugural function was also attended by the Chief Minister Pawan Chamling as the guest of honor.
The two-day event has been organized by the Sikkim State AIDS Control Society [SSACS] in collaboration with Recovering Users Network [RUN]. On the occasion, the Governor also flagged off ‘Red Vehicles’ from the venue. Different drivers’ associations had decorated vehicles with messages on HIV AIDS awareness which travelled till Rangpo today. The vehicle with the best decoration will be awarded a prize, it is informed.
In his address, the Governor called for participation, commitment and cooperation from all sections to curb new HIV infections and to support people living with HIV/AIDS.
“Discriminating HIV infected persons is a barrier in controlling the HIV AIDS menace”, he said and urged everyone to share the responsibility of bringing the disease under control. He also congratulated different organizations working in this field at their respective levels.
The Governor also highlighted the need to work towards the goal set by the World Health Organization of ‘Getting to Zero’ and added that not only government but every individual should come forward to support the cause and to support the people who are working in this field.
He also appreciated of the efforts of Sikkim State AIDS Control Society and its partners for using Multi-Media Campaign as a medium of imparting knowledge about HIV and AIDS especially among the youth of the State.
The Chief Minister, in his address, stressed on the importance of learning about HIV. All organisations, youth and the state government should come together to start a movement against HIV/ AIDS, he said. Encouraging everyone to work for this cause, he assured to extend full support in this mission.
“Health Department should work in mission-mode to make Sikkim an HIV AIDS free state by 2020,” said the CM.
Earlier, the chief guest and the guest of honour felicitated four Red Ribbon Clubs for their outstanding record in the field of HIV/ AIDS mitigation. The four RRCs were RRC Melli Dara [South Sikkim], RRC Naga [North Sikkim], RRC Department of Nursing [Manipal], and RRC Tingley Secondary School [South Sikkim]. It may be mentioned here that Red Ribbon Clubs were initiated in the year 2008, and currently there are 90 RRCs in all.
A music video on Voluntary Blood Donation was also released on the occasion.
The inaugural programme commenced with a welcome address by SSACS Project Director, Dr. Uttam Pradhan. Medical Superintendent, STNM Hospital Dr. Yogesh Verma proposed the Vote of Thanks.
After the inauguration, the Governor and CM were escorted to the other end of MG Marg where an on-the-spot painting competition among students and youth was held.

Red Ribbon Carnival to play at MG Marg next week

GANGTOK, 12 Dec: Governor Shriniwas Patil is scheduled to inaugurate the third edition of Red Fest, christened Red Ribbon Carnival 2013 under the Multi Media Campaign (MMC) of the AIDS awareness drive at MG Marg on 19 December next week.
The two-day campaign that will be held at different venues along MG Marg here and is sponsored by Sikkim State AIDS Control Society (SSACS) and organized by Recovering Users Network (RUN). The annual event is being supported by various NGOs and other social and faith-based organizations including LIFE “Living Free” Society and SNP+.
“Red Ribbon Carnival 2013 will have a heavy dose of entertainment mixed with awareness for everyone. Unlike earlier when Red Fest was organized basically targeting the youth population, this year’s two-day event has something for all age-groups,” informed SSACS Project Director, Dr. Uttam Pradhan today.
The Project Director, while explaining that the event this year includes activities that will appeal to all ages and generations, stated that Red Ribbon Carnival 2013 is being organized under the second phase of the fourth edition of MMC.
The first phase as informed has been completed with Red Ribbon Clubs in the various government schools already organizing attractive programmes and conducting intervention and interactive awareness meetings in 210 schools across the state.
“Spreading the message of an HIV/AIDS free society and the ill effects of drug addiction has been the sole aim of the MMC and with time we have developed tailored programmes for the different targeted groups in the state. This year the event has been designed to involve all sections of society who will also participate in the campaign by representing their respective organizations,” stated the Project Director.
On 19 November the Governor will inaugurate the programme by flagging off a car rally from the tourist information centre where a special programme will also be held. The programme will see musical performances by bands like Tribal Rain from Namchi, the Sikkim Police Eagle Band, the Sikkim Police Orchestra and the EPCS Choir. From here, the Governor will proceed towards Star Hall where a slogan writing and a sit-and-draw competition on the theme of HIV/AIDS will be organised.
All along MG Marg, different activities such as theatre and drama, food stalls along with musical extravaganzas will be held throughout the day. Blood donation camps, voluntary testing facilities, bouncing castle for young children and free counseling activities will also be organized at the venue itself.
On 20 December, the day’s programme will include drama presentation by Dashartik Sangh, Gelling, West Sikkim and Sikkim Lepcha Youth Association. The programme will also have dance presentations by BRSTP, Namchi and Funky HOP Crew, Gangtok.
The evening’s programme which will be the highlight of the two-day event will have performances by B-Tunes (finalists Red Fest II), Half Past XII, Nightmares (winners Red Fest) and by Northeast’s legendary rocker, Lou Majau.