Chennai: AIDS message through youth carnival

August 12, 2010

AIDS message through youth carnival

Staff Reporter

The three-day `Illavattam – Youth Carnival 2010,' an HIV/AIDS awareness event,

got off to a colourful start here on Tuesday.

Nearly 1.5 lakh students from various schools and colleges across the State are

participating in a string of cultural and sports events, organised as part of

the carnival by the Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society (TANSACS).

Inaugurating the event, Health Minister M.R.K. Panneerselvam said that people in

the 16-28 age-group were more susceptible to HIV/AIDS and awareness campaigns

are necessary to sensitise them. Over 500 Red Ribbon Clubs would be set up in

schools and colleges across the State to strengthen the awareness among the

students.

Of the 1.82 lakh people with HIV/AIDS in the State, nearly 45,000 are under ART

treatment. " The `Varumun Kappom' scheme has integrated counselling in the

medical camps to sensitise people to HIV/AIDS, " he said.

Terming the carnival as `India's largest youth cultural event,' Mr.

Panneerselvam said youth should be the torch-bearers and carry forward the

awareness messages to people.

Principal Secretary Health V.K. Subburaj said that nearly Rs.100 crore was being

spent on measures to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS every year. " Awareness campaigns

form the core of prevention mechanism. As many have misconceptions about HIV

transmission, the social taboo is high, " he said.

Mayor M. Subramanian reiterated the importance of youngsters knowing the right

information about HIV/AIDS. TANSACS Project Director Shambu Kallolikar, Chennai

Corporation AIDS Prevention and Control Society Project Director P. Jyothi

Nirmala, Tamilnadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University Vice-Chancellor Mayil Vahanan

Natarajan, University of Madras Registrar P. Saravanan and Director of

Collegiate Education S. Jayabaskaran participated in the event.

District-level competitions were held last month and the winners were selected

to participate in the State-level events. Over 14,000 students are participating

in cultural programmes and 25,000 students in sports events. Awareness film

screenings, variety entertainment, Gana fest and exhibition are to be held as

part of the youth carnival.

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