RailEnquiry

Kurukshetra: About 14,000 persons visited the Red Ribbon Express during its halt at platform number 1, Kurukshetra Junction, here today. The Principal Secretary and Financial Commissioner, Health and Family Welfare, Haryana, Navraj Nain Sandhu, has called upon youth to come forward for this awareness programme against HIV/AIDS. She was addressing at a two-day inaugural function of the Red Ribbon Express.Sandhu said the third phase of the Red Ribbon Express was launched on 12 January on the occasion of the International Youth Day. The train would mainstream the HIV/AIDS issue through 23 states halting at over 162 stations across the country.Talking about the aim and theme, she said to create an environment free of stigma and discrimination faced by people living with HIV/AIDS, this would provide access to services without fear and prejudice. The special adequate efforts had been made to mobilise adolescents and youth through the publicity material and technical guidelines provided in the train, Sandhu added.Sandhu further stated that the communication material regarding AIDS and other diseases were made available in the train. She said there was a dire need to develop an understanding about the infection to reduce discrimination with people suffering from HIV/ AIDS.Sandhu lauded the role and arrangements made by the district administration and the Health Department for the grand show of Red Ribbon Express in Kurukshetra with a target of 25,000 visitors in two days. She called upon the youth of Kurukshetra for the maximum participation.

Deputy Commissioner Mandeep Singh Brar said best efforts had been ensured for maximum participation of the people to visit the train. To save the girl child would be the theme of the Kurukshetra Utsav Gita Jayanti Celebrations this year, he added.

Assistant Project Director of the State Aids Control Society Vijay Garg and Civil Surgeon Vandana Bhatia also spoke on the occasion. A police constable was detected suffering from HIV/ AIDS when he went through the test in the train. His name has been kept secret, Bhatia said.