An impressive rally taken out by students and NCC cadets of Satavahana College on Tuesday on the occasion of World AIDS Day caught the attention of passers-by, as it included a huge inflated replica of a condom, the symbol of safe sex, and a red ribbon, which is the sign used by governmental and non-governmental organisations involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
The Population Services International, a non-governmental organisation that is in the forefront of creating awareness of the dreaded disease, organised the rally, which was flagged off by MLC Ilapuram Venkaiah. The rally passed through Chuttugunta Centre and Eluru Road to reach Tummalapallivari Kshetrayya Kalakshetram, where a meeting was held.
Pat for PSI
Mr. called upon the students to work towards a world free of HIV and AIDS. He wanted the students to develop awareness of the manner in which the disease spreads and also sensitise others around them. The youths were falling prey to the disease in considerable numbers, which was a cause for concern, he said.
Additional District Medical & Health Officer T.V.S.N. Sastry complimented the role being played by the PSI in spreading awareness of the disease, which, he said, was yielding good results.
Indian Red Cross Society Krishna district secretary A. Sridhar Reddy explained the role being played by the Youth Red Cross clubs, which were opened in several colleges, in sensitising the people in rural areas about the disease.
Another rally of students of Bishop Azaraiah institutions was flagged off by Mayor M.V. Ratna Bindu. She wanted the students to take a pro-active role in creating awareness about HIV/AIDS.
