Title - RED RIBBON EXPRESS Curious students pose queries on spread of HIV

Chandigarh: Defying the taboos associated with sex education, several school students shot a volley of questions related to sexual transmission of HIV during their visit to the counselling centre of the Red Ribbon Express stationed in the city today.Students pose queries on HIV at a counselling centre onboard the train; and (right) students inside a coach of the train.Going by the analysis of the counsellors addressing the queries of the students, who visited the HIV AIDS testing and counselling centre on the Red Ribbon Express, students were quite confident in raising the tabooed questions.“It is natural for a youth to be curious about sex education. But what turned out to be surprising this time was that these children aged 14 to 17 put forth their doubts about the sexual transmission of the virus while sharing their experiences also,” said one of the counsellors at the designated HIV AIDS counselling centre on the train.Another counsellor said: “It was quite impressive to see the confidence of these children in asking questions related to Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI). In fact, even girl students were equally confident in posing queries. Another observation we made after answering the queries of these children was that many of them were sexually active and were curious raising awareness on HIV transmission too.”

The train, which has been launched with the aim of creating awareness on AIDS, was inaugurated in the city today. It was visited by more than 8,266 people, including 5,000 school students. The train will remain stationed at Chandigarh Railway Station for two more days (December 13 and 14). All the six coaches of the train housing exhibits, graphics and HIV testing centre will be open to the public from 9 am to 6 pm on both the days.

Dr Vanita Gupta, Project Director, Chandigarh State AIDS Control Society, said in 2010 the train arrived in the city for the first time. “This is the third phase of this campaign and our focus is more on youngsters and women.”

A total of 38 persons volunteered for the HIV test at the testing centre. A total of 56 persons got themselves checked for sexually transmitted infection.