Title - More than 13,000 visit Red Ribbon Express on Day 1

KANPUR: More than 13,000 visitors greeted Red Ribbon Express on its arrival at Kanpur Central Railway Station here on Monday. The special train, running across India for the third season to spread awareness on HIV AIDS, will remain stationed in the city on Tuesday as well.People from diverse backgrounds and age groups were found queuing up around 8am to enter the colourful train though the official opening time of the exhibition was 9.30 am.According to data provided by the health department officials, the train recorded a total footfall of 13,149 on Monday. This is expected to rise at least 20% on day two with more awareness sessions and advertisements. The train, with eight coaches, has been decked up with an assortment of banners, posters, audio-visual clips, volunteer talks and games to communicate AIDS related messages in an interesting and attractive way.While the first three coaches had audio-visual exhibits on HIV/AIDS, the fourth on National Rural Health Mission ( NRHM) had exhibits on tuberculosis, malaria, reproductive and child health services, general health and hygiene. The train has a separate coach for counselling and another for holding training sessions of local stakeholders such as members of Panchayati Raj institutions, self help groups, health workers, youth organizations, teachers, and police personnel.

The most talked about, however, were perhaps the 20 telephones kept inside the train which disseminated information on HIV/AIDS and other diseases through taped versions. Sandeep Singh, a class XI student said, "As soon as I picked the receiver, someone said, 'Main bhi aapki hi tarah ek yuva bol raha hun...(I am also a youth like you)'. He further elaborated the causes and symptoms of AIDS and explained the difference between HIV and AIDS. It is an unusual and interesting way to educate someone. I really liked that."

The train was also visited by expectant mothers who found the information given inside the train very useful.

Besides, the visitors availed the medical facilities being provided aboard the train and on the railway station. As per the information provided by the health authorities, as many as 400 people received counseling from experts while 232 got themselves tested for HIV. 886 people underwent health check-ups while 8 people donated blood in the mobile blood donation van. Around 350 people attended the training session by the experts.

Talking to TOI, the District Tuberculosis Officer (DTO) said this is phase-3 of Red Ribbon Express which started on January 12, 2012 to cover 23 states of the country. The train is scheduled to halt at 162 stations and Uttar Pradesh is the 18th state being covered by it.

"The focus of the train is youth and women this time as these groups can disseminate information better," added the DTO. Chief medical officer DR RP Yadav said it was a big achievement for the industrial city that a large number of people turned up to visit the train on day one. He also urged the locals to visit Red Ribbon Express in large numbers on Tuesday.