Second phase of Red Ribbon Express train on aids awareness flagged off today

The second phase of Red Ribbon Express (RRE), which is a 10-coach exhibition train for creating awareness about HIV/AIDS in the far flung areas, was flagged off today i.e. on the World AIDS Day by Smt. Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson, UPA and Chairperson Rajiv Gandhi Foundation. Union Railway Minister, Kumari Mamata Banerjee was specially present on this occasion as a Guest of Honour. Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad presided over the function. Chief Minister of Delhi, Smt. Sheila Dikshit, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Dinesh Trivedi, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri S. Gandhiselvan and Minister of State for Railways Shri K. H. Muniyappa were among those present on the occasion. This project is being implemented by National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India in collaboration with Rajiv Gandhi Foundation and Ministry of Railways.

Speaking on this occasion, Smt. Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson of UPA and Chairperson of Rajiv Gandhi Foundation said that the first phase of Red Ribbon Express taking message of fighting HIV/AIDS to the far flung areas was completed successfully by NACO and the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation. She said that it is our collective responsibility to provide help to the sufferers of this problem which affects poor and young people in their prime. She pointed out that it is a high priority of the UPA Government to fight with these kind of health problems. She said that the project has also brought unity of purpose between various departments of the Government for meeting the challenge of this disease. The project has mobilized the people’s representatives, Civil Administrations, school teachers, NGOs, Panchayat representatives etc. together in country’s fight against HIV/AIDS. She said that information brings empowerment and timely information can save lives. Referring to the Red Ribbon Express, she pointed out that it is heartening to know that in addition to fighting AIDS, the train is also having a coach on the National Rural Health Mission covering issues such as child health services, TB, Swine Flu etc.

In her address, the Minister of Railways, Kumari Mamata Banerjee has hoped that this Red Ribbon Express will meet the primary objective of providing a communication and service package to the rural population and those rural areas which have remained untouched so far. She said that the spreading the awareness about HIV/AIDS into the interiors of the country will enable the general public to take necessary steps to protect themselves from the disease in keeping with the idea that “prevention is better than cure”. She also emphasized the need for providing moral and social support to the victims of this disease and undertaking their welfare with human face.

The Minister pointed out that Indian Railways is the lifeline of the nation and have always been an important vehicle for bringing about change. She said that Railways will also facilitate the running of Commonwealth Games Exhibition train during the Delhi Commonwealth Games. She said that Railways have been facilitating running of such kind of trains like Science Express, Life Line Express for the benefit of thousands of people in the far flung areas. She said that Ministry of Railways, as an important partner in this endeavour, has provided the entire train and taken over the responsibility of running the train timely to all the identified locations over 22 States covering 158 Stations.

She said that we have to fight this disease unitedly with determination, dedication and humanity and extend full cooperation to the victims of this disease. She pointed out that it is everybody’s duty to fight this battle and Railways’ has never lagged behind in meeting its various social obligations. She said that India has all the capabilities to meet any challenges and will definitely fight the menace of HIV/AIDS successfully. She emphatically asserted that “India can do it.” She assured of all cooperation from Ministry of Railways in this noble endeavour.

Referring to former Prime Minister, Shri Rajiv Gandhi, the Railway Minister said that he represented an institution and had a vision of a modern India with every citizen living a healthy and prosperous life. She appreciated the efforts of Rajiv Gandhi Foundation and NACO in organizing such awareness campaigns. She said that there is a need for more concrete action than paying merely lip service to various problems being faced by the country.

Presiding over the function, Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad said that the Red Ribbon Express (RRE) is the world’s largest mass mobilization campaign on HIV/AIDS. He said that in its first phase, the this train with seven coaches travelled over 27,000 kms across 22 States stopping at 180 halt stations. In its one year course 2007-08, the train and its outreach activities covered about 6.2 million people primarily in semi-urban and rural areas. Shri Azad complimented Rajiv Gandhi Foundation for undertaking this project in collaboration with NACO and Ministry of Railways. He said that the project provided relief to thousands of people providing counselling and treatment to the victims.

Chief Minister of Delhi, Smt. Sheila Dikshit and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Dinesh Trivedi also spoke on the occasion. All the distinguished guests also visited the train exhibition before the flag off.

During its one year course, the second phase of Red Ribbon Express (RRE) is expected to reach millions in cities, towns and villages with messages on HIV prevention, stigma and discrimination and promotion of services. The train will cover 152 halt stations in 22 States. Its outreach activities through exhibition vans and folk troupes will cover those who are not able to come to the train. There will be three coaches with exhibition on HIV/AIDS. This time a coach on National Rural Health Mission with an exhibition covering issues such as Malaria, TB, Swine Flu (H1N1) and Reproductive and Child Health services has been added which are of prime importance.

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AKS/HK/LK/T R
(Release ID :54855)