|
|
|
Change low graphic options | Change language | Skip content to navigation
Page context: Home > News online
Express train tours India to highlight HIV and AIDS
17 January 2008
A special seven-coach express train designed to disseminate information about HIV and AIDS has set off on a year-long 27,000 kilometre journey across India.
The Red Ribbon Express train is set to stop at 180 stations to spread the HIV-AIDS awareness message in over 50,000 villages and will attempt to reach out to over one million people.
Organised by India’s National AIDS Control Organisation, the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation and the Indian government’s health and railways ministries, the initiative, once mooted, was also discussed at a joint ITF-All India Railwaymen’s Federation (AIRF) HIV/AIDS forum in September 2006 in Chennai. The unions then wrote to the railway administration and the state control organisation with follow-up carried out by the AIRF and the National Federation of Indian Railwaymen.
The express train is scheduled to arrive in Agra in northern India tomorrow, where visitors will be able to explore the train’s interactive exhibition focusing on issues such as sexual health and female infanticide. A specially designed auditorium for film screenings has also been built on board; while doctors will be on hand to provide visitors with further advice and information.
The project was launched on World AIDS Day on 1 December 2007 when the train, waved off by Sonia Gandhi, Chair of India’s ruling coalition, set off from New Delhi’s Safdarjung railway station.
Nishi Kapahi, ITF Delhi Office, commented: “This is a unique effort which has not been undertaken anywhere else in the world. This project can act as a model for other countries, highlighting how to use the available mechanisms in the industry to spread the HIV/AIDS prevention message. Indian Railways’ effort is likely to be one of world’s largest mass mobilisation drives to create HIV awareness.”Related pages:
HIV/AIDS
HIV/AIDS is of particular concern to transport workers....
Back to current news online stories
Section home:
News online
Other pages for News online:
About News Online | What is RSS | ITF Headlines on your Website
RSS feeds
Download our free RSS news feeds:
English |Español |Français |Deutsch |Svenska
What is RSS?
Main Sections:
Home | About us | Solidarity | Flags of Convenience campaign | Seafarers | Dockers | Civil Aviation | Railways | Road Transport | Urban Transport | Fisheries | Tourism | Inland Navigation | Education | Young Workers | Women | ETF Home | Congress 2010
Transport International Magazine
accessibility | site help | site map
ITF House, 49-60 Borough Road, London SE1 1DR | +44 20 7403 2733 | mail@itf.org.uk
