JAMMU: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Bali Bhagat on Thursday called for launching a resolute fight against the HIV/AIDS with the active involvement of various sections of the society, particularly the educational institutions, social and religious organisations.
Addressing a gathering at Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar here on Thursday at a function organised by the J&K AIDS Control Society (JKACS) in connection the World AIDS Day, the minister said eradicating the menace of HIV/AIDS is a common cause and concern for everybody, and this can be achieved with the concerted and collective efforts at different levels. He sought the support of the entire society and asked for contributing selflessly to contain this deadly disease and making the society HIV/AIDS free.
Minister of State for Health, Asiea Naqash, Project Director, J and K AIDS Control Society, Dr Sameer Mattoo, Principal, GWC, Gandhi Nagar, Dr Kiran Bakshi, several HoDs, faculty members, doctors, representatives of NGOs, Social Organizations, intellectuals, paramedics, students and senior functionaries of the JKACS were also present on the occasion.
Stressing the need for a strong state-wide awareness campaign to educate the masses about the HIV/AIDS and its prevention, the minister said JKACS should chalk out a calendar of annual activities to reach out to every nook and corner to spread the awareness among the people.
The members of Red Ribbon Clubs taken out an impressive awareness rally by displaying banners and placards with slogans and messages to fight HIV/AIDs. The rally was flagged off by the ministers in presence of large number of students, faculty members and others. The JKACS also arranged a colorful bonanza of theme based cultural items highlighting the cause with the help of famous folk cultural group Romalo Ram and party, students of the GCW, Gandhi Nagar and students of AMT School, GMC, Jammu. A competition for poster making/slogan writing was also organized on the occasion.
The ministers distributed mementoes to the winners of the competitions.
Meanwhile, GGM Science College organized a function in connection with World AIDS Day. A seminar on theme ‘Aids and its Prevention’ was organized by the NSS Units of GGM Science College, Jammu. The chief guest on the occasion was Dr. Ashok Kumar, HOD Chemistry. The guests were welcomed by Dr. Rajinder Singh, NSS Programme Officer.
Dr. Ashok Kumar appreciated the NSS Unit for organizing this seminar.
Nitin Bakshi, Manik Gupta and Akanksha Matoo were adjudged as first, second and third respectively. The judges of the event were Dr. Suresh Bhat, Prof. Mohd Sadiq and Dr. Jagjeet Singh. Vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. Rajinder Singh.
World AIDS Day was also observed at Government Hospital Gandhi Nagar, Jammu, in collaboration with Society for Promotion of Youth and Masses wherein more than 100 nursing students participated and poster competition was undertaken and best were given awards. Third award was shared by Apurba, Monisha, Rakhi and manpreet.
Second award was taken by Monisha, Apurva and Pankaj. The first award was taken by Sunita and Rozi.
Dr Madhuri Slathia Medical Superintendent distributed the awards among the nursing students along with Dr Arun Sharma, Dy Medical Superintendent, teaching faculty of nursing schools, Mohammad Nadeem Sanitary Inspector and other officials were present.
Later a symposium was also organized. Dr Arun gave a detailed view of HIV AIDS to the students.
Similarly, NSS Wing of Govt Degree College Kargil observed World AIDS day 2016 by organizing a function in the college premises. In this programme nearly around 200 students participated.
Principal GDCK urged the students not to involve in wrong activities.
Later, a rally was taken out from New Bas Stand, Chanchik to Maktab, Chankra Kargil.
Prof. Mohd Hussain, Assistant Prof. Zoology and NSS Officer, GDCK presented vote of thanks.
The Red Ribbon Club of Government MAM College in collaboration with NCC unit and J and K AIDS Control and Prevention Society organized a lecture on ‘HIV/AIDS: its awareness and prevention’. The resource person was Dr. Abhishek Sharma, CMO 39 Battalion BSF.
Principal of the College Prof Romesh Chander also spoke on the occasion. The programme was conducted by Dr Sangeeta Sudan, Nodal Officer, Red Ribbon Club of the College while vote of thanks was given by Prof Savita Jamwal.
Among others who were present include Prof S.C Sharma, Prof Renu Nanda, Prof. Sushma Chib, Prof I.A Khan, Prof Rajesh Sharma, Prof Bindu Chib, Prof Roshan Lal, Prof Rashu Sharma, Prof Amit Singh, Prof. Bharat and Prof Ankush Raj.