ZIRO, Dec 1: The Arunachal Pradesh State AIDS Control Society, in collaboration with Indira Gandhi Technological And Medical Science University (IGTAMSU), organized World AIDS Day main event at Ziro today.

Tage Taki, Minister Agriculture, Horticulture, Veterinary etc., flagged off a mass awareness rally comprising students from Dani Kunia Govt. Hr. Secondary School in the morning, where around a thousand students from different schools and colleges of Ziro Valley took part.

Speaking on the occasion, Taki stressed that everyone should put an effort voluntarily to stop and prevent the further spread of HIV in the state. Stating that the role of the youth is crucial to curtail the menace of HIV, he asserted that with joint and continuous effort HIV can be eliminated from the earth.

Project Director APSACS, Dr. Riken Rina while addressing the gathering said that the theme for this year’s World AIDS Day -- “Equalize” emphasized that every individual irrespective of social status should have equal opportunity to access services to HIV treatment and counselling. He said that HIV can be prevented by following the principle of ABC which  stands for Abstinence,  Being faithful to one's partner and Condom usage.

While highlighting present scenario of HIV in the state, he said that there are 710 HIV positive cases detected in state as on 31st September 2022. This is just the official figure and the actual figure could be much more, he said.  He also expressed concern over the rising incidence of drug abuse among the youth in Arunachal Pradesh. Expressing serious concern over the connection between HIV and Drug abuse, he said “we might be sitting on a time bomb due to excessive drug abuse in the state, which may explode anytime in the form of HIV”.

The Vice Chancellor of IGTAMSU, Dr. D. Rajagopal, while speaking on the occasion said that HIV/AIDS is preventable but not curable. HIV can be prevented and controlled only though mass participation. Knowledge is the only vaccine against HIV, he added.

Earlier, skit play competition on HIV among the students of various colleges and schools of Ziro town was organised to mark the World AIDS Day 2022. Nine skit play group representing various schools and colleges took part in the skit paly competition.

Students from IGTAMSU were awarded as the winner of the competition, VKV School Ziro came second and Midland Education Centre came third. Dy. Director IEC Tashor Pali, gave away the certificates and Prize money to the winners of the competition. IGTAMSU HoD Vidyanath Singh also spoke on the occasion.

The NSS Cell of Dera Natung Government College, Itanagar observed World AIDS Day by organising an Extempore Speech competition. The competition focused on awareness about the spread .

of HIV-AIDS and reducing its stigma from society.  

The day was also observed in all the three sub divisions of Tawang district. In the district headquarters, Deputy Commissioner Kesang Ngurup Damo said that the grassroot level health worker, Ashas are providing commendable service to the people by giving them awareness and humanitarian service. Expressing his concern over the reported case scenario of AIDS, he called for voluntary testing. "The number of HIV cases in the country as a whole is decreasing but unfortunately it's increasing in our state and if we do rigorous testing the number of infected  may be higher," the DC said.

He further called for working together through mass campaign right from grassroot level to prevent further spread of HIV.