Ilamathi, a student of District Institute of Education and Training (DIET), received the first prize for poster-making during the AIDS awareness programme, which was organised in association with the Pondicherry AIDS Control Society, in her college on Friday.
Many like her have proactively educated themselves and involved in creating awareness on HIV/AIDS to students in their college. Joining the bandwagon of the Red Ribbon Clubs (RRC), these students have taken up the cudgel for an AIDS-free society. The entire college of 179 students between the age group of 18 to 24 is part of the RRC now.
“Students participate in drama, debate, poster-making, poetry and drawing to spread the message of safety and prevention of HIV and AIDS in their college,” said K.Rajakumari, Coordinator, RCC in DIET.
The RCC, a programme envisaged by National AIDS Control Organisation, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (Government of India), has set foot in 65 educational institutions in Puducherry.
RCC members educate youth
The role of the RCC members is to educate youth with correct information and heighten their level of awareness about HIV/AIDS, other related issues and drug abuse. They also have the responsibility to enable female students to identify and understand situations of exploitation and abuse. In addition to this, the members have to sensitize students to care and support people living with HIV and AIDS and reduce the stigma and discrimination against them.
Pondicherry AIDS Control Society Deputy Director (IEC) M.Krishnamurthy said: “Many competitions, rally and meetings are held every year in the educational institutions. This also involves adolescent education programme in higher secondary schools and teachers are nominated as coordinators. This has helped us reach out to youths in both rural and urban areas across the union territory.”
As part of the awareness progammes, the Pondicherry AIDS Control Society has also trained many Anganwadi teachers to create awareness among the women.
“Anganwadi teachers are closely connected to the community in villages and it helps us reach out to women more easily. There are as many as many as 850 trained Anganwadi teachers to educate on HIV/AIDS in Puducherry,” he said.
