Red Ribbon Express on Track to Good Health

[Guest guest]

Red Ribbon Express on Track to Good Health

Anjali Singh

Lucknow, July 14: It’s called the express of hope. After completing a

successful run through 100 districts in the state of Tamil Nadu educating and

sensitizing over 75000 people about AIDS/HIV and health, The Red Ribbon Express

is now Uttar Pradesh bound.

All set to chug through 17 districts of UP it aims to dispel myths and

fears about the disease and also spread awareness on treatment, care and

protection of those who have tested positive.

An initiative of NACO in collaboration with National Rural Health Mission, the

Ministry of Railways , UNICEF, PPT, HLF and the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation the

information express on HIV/AIDS and health is the largest multimedia,

multi-sectoral mass mobilization campaign launched so far.

Sporting a positive motto which says “Embarking on the journey of life†the

Red Ribbon Express has managed to reach several lakhs through innovative

outreach programmes and informative displays which it carries in its eight

coaches about the disease. A sensitization task considered impossible until now.

Explains Dr Mridula Sharma, Jt Director, Uttar Pradesh State AIDS Control

Society, “ The idea behind this unique concept is to combat the fast spreading

menace of AIDS. This journey of the Red Ribbon Express through 17 districts of

UP is the second phase of the campaign by NACO.

The first phase was launched in 2007-2008 and the train covered over 9000 kms in

UP, but this time the focus in more on eastern UP and semi-urban, urban areas

and even blocs have been included in some places to ensure maximum reach of the

message the express has to give.

While the highest turn out of people so far out of the 22 states and 152

districts the express has visited has been in Tamil Nadu with 75000 people being

sensitized, in UP we hope to beat that record when the train will start it’s

journey from Chopan in Sonebhadra on July 17 2010 after it will be flagged of by

the Health Ministry himself.

The Red Ribbon Express will cover 25000kms and pass through a number of stations

returning to New Delhi on Nov 29, 2010.

A mammoth exercise indeed as the express which will leave Chopan on July 19,

2010  for Chattisgarh and Jharkhan and will re-enter UP on Aug 29 2010 to 

travel through Allahabad, Varanasi, Zafrabad, Akbarpur, Ballia, Mau, Bhatni,

Nautanwa, Ayodhya, Amethi, Rae Bareli, Lucknow, Barabanki, Hardoi, Bareily and

Saharanpur, to halt in Lucknow till October 10, 2010.

Informs Ayan Chakraverti, Regional Communication Officer, BBC World Trust, a

collaborating agency as well for the event, “The branding of the Red Ribbon

Express has been done by JWT and the target group in the general population 

that we will hope to reach includes youth and women groups, adolescent students

from schools and colleges, MLAs, corporators, Pradhans, Panchayati Raj

institution members, youth in uniformed services like the defence forces

personnel, out of school youth in the community and Aganwadi workers., ASHA, SHG

members etc.

The express has eight well designed coaches each dedicated to exhibitions of

educational material on HIV/AIDS complete with interactive touch screens and 3-D

models. In the second phase of the express’s run a coach has been totally

devoted to display of information on general health, hygiene and communicable

diseases

like swine flu, TB and RCH services. In addition to that counseling cum medical

services will also be available with two consulting doctors sitting in for

treatment and advice on STIs and RTI.

And if that was not enough the Red Ribbon Express will also conduct on

platform activities at each stations it visits which will have cultural

performances of plays and skits by Yayawar Rangmandal theatre group based on the

theme of AIDS/ HIV.

Informs Augustine Veliath, Communication Specialist, UNICEF Lucknow, “The two

most important inclusions in this second phase of the campaign is the focus on

stigma attached with the disease. This will be effectively dealt with through a

play which is being prepared by National School Of Drama and Bhartendu Natya

Akademi and is fully directed by people who have tested positive.

But the play will not be ready for the flag of from Chopan on

July 17 so UPs own theatre group Yayawar Rangmandal will present a play

initially. Secondly the voice of children will also be heard the journey of the

Red Ribbon Express through a World Comics Exhibition by children affected and

infected HIV/AIDS. At every station panels displaying the comics will be put up

for people to see and understand the dreams and aspirations of these children.

With so much planned for the next three months on the itinerary of the Red

Ribbon Express seems like the fight against HIV/AIDS is all set to gain momentum

in the state.

And to ensure that maximum people benefit from it All India Radio,

Doordarshan, DAVP, Information Department and the Press Information Bureau all

have joined hands to flash information on the locations the train will visit

from time to time.

Advertisement spots and social messages both on TV and Radio about the Red

Ribbon Express with be aired into homes 24x7! And even if you wanted to you

cannot miss it. Or so that is what officials are planning.

And why not as they want to be sure people will be there when the Red

Ribbon Express rolls into their station as it surely promises you a journey full

of happy and healthy life!

Augustine Veliath,

Communication Specialist

UNICEF Lucknow

3/194, Vishal Khand, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow 226010

Phone 91-522-4093311

Phone 91-5222303151 to 56

Phone 91 5224093151

Fax 915222303158

Fax 91 522 4093157

email aveliath@...

website www.unicef.in

UNITE FOR CHILDREN