Red ribbon AIDS clubs in college

Lucknow University would be setting up 70 red ribbon clubs to spread awareness on HIV/AIDS. The initiative has been taken up by the social work department of LU in association with Uttar Pradesh State AIDS Control Society (UPSACS), UNICEF, Clinton Foundation and SMEC Pvt India Limited, under the University Talk AIDS programme.

These clubs would come up on the campus and several LU-affiliated colleges. "Fifteen such clubs would be coming up on LU campus, whereas another 55 clubs will be established in different colleges," said Professor R B S Verma, Head of Social Work Department, LU.

On the services of the clubs, LU officials said that the main aim is to advance the AIDS-HIV awareness level. The department will also arrange counselling programmes for AIDS and HIV patients.

"Communication is one of the best tool to prevent stigmatisation and instilling self-respect and positive attitude among people living with HIV/AIDS. In order to generate mass awareness, we are setting up the clubs, which would be effectively communicating with AIDS and HIV patients," said LU proctor Dr A N Singh, who is also associated with the social work department.

The counselling programme will be organised in association with various NGO,w orking for AIDS and HIV-affected people.

LU Vice-Chancellor Prof Ram Prakash Singh would be inaugurating the clubs on the eve of the International Youth Day on August 11.

On the same day, the students would also take out an AIDS-HIV awareness candle march.

(source : news.yahoo.com)