'Red Ribbon Express' flagged off

A specially-designed seven coach train which will travel across the country carrying HIV/AIDS prevention messages has been flagged by UPA chairman.

A specially-designed seven coach train which will travel across the country carrying HIV/AIDS prevention messages was on Saturday flagged off by UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi who termed the campaign against the dreaded disease as a "battle which can and must be won".

HT Image

"The Red Ribbon Express" which was launched on Saturday on the occasion of World AIDS Day will aim at spreading awareness about HIV, promoting safe behavioural practises and fighting the stigma and discrimination against AIDS.

Emphasising on the urgent need of fighting social discrimination against those affected with AIDS, Gandhi said, "It is a battle which can and must be won".

This project will help in bringing to the mainstream the fight against the disease, she added.

"It continues to be a major public health concern. No single thing has had such an impact in the world. Men and women in the prime of their youth have been lost to this disease," she said.

Over its year-long journey, the train will traverse over 27,000 km covering 180 stations holding programmes and activities in over 50,000 villages.

Travelling with the train will be two exhibition buses and cycle caravans that will cover the peripheries of the districts reaching out to crores of people.

Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, who was also present on the occasion, announced that the government will make available another train for the same purpose.