Contests, film screening mark World AIDS Day

Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, December 1

World AIDS Day was observed in colleges of the city by organising competitions for slogan writing, poster making and video presentations. The students were also shown videos for spreading awareness against the spread of disease.

Hans Raj Mahila Maha Vidyalaya

The zoology department along with Red Cross Society of Hans Raj Mahila Maha Vidyalaya organised various competitions on World AIDS Day. Principal Prof Ajay Sareen congratulated the staff of zoology department for taking the initiative for spreading awareness amongst the community. Dr Seema Marwaha, Head of Zoology Department, enlightened them about the dreadful disease and its current scenario in our country. Meenakshi Sayal, school coordinator, told students that Red Ribbon is the symbol of awareness and one must provide support for those living with HIV. She further stressed upon the need to create awareness regarding AIDS and motivate the students to follow healthy practices in life. Dr Deepshikha, Incharge of Red Cross Society, also appreciated the efforts of the students.

Online competitive events such as slogan writing, poster making and PowerPoint presentation were organised. Around 50 students from all streams participated in the event.

In slogan writing: Nishtha, got the first prize, Naina got the second prize and Purwashi bagged the third prize. Appreciation prize went to Manjot.

In poster making: Jessica, Ambreen and Chetna got the first, second and third prize respectively . Appreciation prize went to Prerna, Tanya Anand and Harpreet.

In PowerPoint presentation: Lisha Juneja pocketed the first prize and Khushi got the second prize. Avantika Randev was convenor of the event and guided students for participation in all activities. Dr Sakshi Verma hosted the event and announced the prize winners and showed the PowerPoint presentation. Ravi Kumar showed a film regarding HIV virus and posters made by all participants. The function was concluded with vote of thanks.

Innocent Hearts College of Education

The NSS unit of Innocent Hearts College of Education observed World AIDS Day to spread awareness regarding AIDS and show support for people living with HIV. The theme for the 2020 observance was ‘Ending the HIV/AIDS Epidemic: Resilience and Impact’. All the student-teachers and faculty members wore red ribbons to raise awareness about AIDS.

Due to Covid- 19 pandemic, the programme was conducted through online mode in which the NSS volunteers shared facts and medically accurate information about HIV and AIDS to help stop HIV stigma and myths. Some NSS volunteers created AIDS awareness posters with slogans like ‘Let’s Stop HIV Together’ and ‘Open your eyes before AIDS closes them’. They prepared videos explaining their posters and shared them through online WhatsApp groups to highlight ways to reduce HIV stigma and promote prevention.

Principal Dr Arjinder Singh highlighted the fact that the world is facing new diseases each day and Covid-19 is the latest in this category. He further said, “We all should take constructive steps to eliminate chronic diseases for making our planet safe and spreading awareness about AIDS in communities is must, which our NSS unit volunteers are doing to a great extent.”