Awareness rallies and educative meetings marked the World AIDS Day all over the district here on Sunday.
Rallies were taken out by the IMA, KU NSS volunteers, police personnel and students from various educational institutions to educate people on the AIDS. The rallies converged at the Arts College where the district Collector G. Kishan and other officials addressed the gathering.
The Collector urged the people to help make the district AIDS free. He also wanted the people not to discriminate the affected persons. Promising to extend all help to the inmates at various rehabilitation centres, the Collector listed out initiatives taken by the district administration and the NGOs to help the victims of AIDs and HIV +.
Participating in the programme, DIG M. Kanta Rao explained to the students about how the AIDS spreads and what precautions to be taken to prevent it. “Students should create awareness in the society about the menace as they have a wide reach than any other agency,” he said.
Joint Collector Pousami Basu urged the medical professionals and NGOs to educate people on the symptoms, diagnosis of the disease, along with the prevention measures to be followed. Trainee Collector Rajiv Gandhi Hanumanthu said awareness holds the key to achieve an AIDS-free society. Rural SP L. Kalidas, Urban SP A. Venkateswar Rao, KU NSS coordinator B. Suresh Lal and others were also present.
Staff Reporter adds: District Revenue Officer K. Krishna Reddy called upon the youth to play a pivotal role to check the spread of the AIDS, by leading a principled life. Participating in the World AIDS Day celebrations in Karimnagar on Sunday, he said that there was no medicine for AIDS and it can be kept at bay with awareness and precautions. He also exhorted the youth to educate the rural masses about the spread of the ailment. SRR Government Degree and PG College principal K. Murali said that the Karimnagar district ranked third in the State in the incidence of AIDS.
District Legal Services Authority secretary Bala Bhaskar Rao, Incharge DM&HO Dr. Aleem, NCC cadets, NSS volunteers and students took part in the programme. Earlier, the DRO flagged off a rally from the Circus Grounds to the Collectorate.
