On AIDS Day, street plays & rallies in Bhopal

BHOPAL: Slogans like ‘Jaage aur jagayein hum- AIDS ko door bhagayein hum’, ‘Naujawan hain nadaan nahin, HIV se anjaan nahin’ rent the air as colleges students staged street plays and awareness rallies on the World AIDS Day here on Saturday.
Carrying colourful banners, students staged ‘nukkad natak’ at different locations in the city. Supported by Madhya Pradesh State AIDS Control Society (MPSACS) and National Service Scheme (NSS), girls of Sant Hirdaram Girls College performed a street play at the New Market Square explaining the causes behind HIV/AIDS and preventive measures.
An awareness rally was organised from New Market to Anand Vihar Kanya College. Sporting red-ribbons, students of Satya Sai Kanya College, Sant Hirdaram College and Anand Vihar College also formed a human chain on the Link Road.
“There has been a considerable decrease in the discrimination and stigma attached with HIV-infected people. People are more willing to talk about it today. It’s important to be supportive towards people who are fighting this battle. Young people should be encouraged for voluntary blood donation,” said Rakesh Munshi, project director, Madhya Pradesh State AIDS Control