MUMBAI: Radio Mantra took another social initiative by being a part of UNICEF’s fight against the deadly Virus; AIDS. Team Mantra spent a day on the ‘The Red Ribbon Express’ talking to the doctors, volunteers and the audience at the camp. ‘The Red Ribbon Express’ is world’s largest social mobilization campaign against HIV.
Radio Mantra’s AIDS Awareness Army was present on the streets across all its eight stations, sporting a red ribbon at all the prominent locations educating people about the myths and truths associated with AIDS As a part of the campaign, Radio Mantra invited slogans from it’s listeners on AIDS awareness and also distributed ‘red ribbons’ to show its solidarity towards the cause.
Mantra spotted young people avidly leafing through literature and taking a keen interest in watching the street theater performances happening near the booths along the railway platforms.
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While speaking to us Mohnish Kumar CEO,RRE said,I had always dreamt of joining army and fight for my country but I couldn’t pursue my dream further. Today, AIDS is attacking my country and I feel like a soldier protecting my country from the deadly Virus…
In a year-long journey, the express traveled to 22 states, halted at 152 railway stations while reaching out to millions across the country. It finally came to a halt at the Delhi Railway station on World AIDS day….
Speaking with Mantra, one of the volunteers on the Red Ribbon Express said,Our teachers at school due to their inhibitions are usually hesitant to discuss the repercussions of unprotected sex and ways to prevent HIV. But if youngsters are educated from the beginning, we can stop the spread of this deadly virus….
The on-air campaign also focused on spreading awareness on AIDS and urged people to stop discrimination towards HIV infected patients. The on-air shows had bytes from the doctors and experts explaining all about HIV/AIDS and ways to prevent getting infected from it.
Speaking on the occasion, Kanwar Sameer, National Programming Head, Radio Mantra said,To mark the World AIDS Day, we’ve been doing a lot of ON-AIR integration like expert’s interviews, packaged FAQs, counselor’s bytes and slogans for the past couple of years . This year, as a mass medium we thought of going a step further by joining UNICEF’s endeavor to create awareness, sensitize and educate people of the deadly virus, especially in tier 2 & 3 cities. Apart from spending a day on the Red Ribbon Express, all the eight stations were connected to our Radio jockey who was present in Delhi for LIVE OBs along with NACO and UNICEF associates….
Conceptualized by the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, and implemented by the NACO in partnership with the railway ministry and the AIDS control societies in various states, the Red Ribbon Express is an eight coach, mobile, multi-sectoral project aimed at spreading awareness on HIV, promoting safe behavioral practices and fighting stigma and discrimination against those living with the disease.
