Red Ribbon Exp arrives in Pondy

Puducherry, Jun 7 (UNI) The Red Ribbon Express, an initiative to spread awareness on HIV/AIDS, arrived here today.

Inaugurating a programme undertaken by the Puducherry AIDS Control Society and the Nehru Yuva Kendra on the arrival of the train, Chief Minister N Rangasamy called upon scientists and said they should strive to invent a medicine for AIDS by taking advantage of the scientific developments in the country.

It was the responsibility of each one in the country to create an 'AIDS-free'India, he added.

The Chief Minister said a huge amount was being spent to keep the disease at bay and since the life span of an AIDS patient could be extended, the scientists should strive to invent a medicine to prevent the disease.

Mr Rangasamy said since the state was a tourist destination, more vigil need to be maintained for creating proper awareness.

Puducherry was the 100th station of the train, which would travel over 9,000 km during the year, covering about 180 districts and holding programmes in 43,200 villages. The train would leave for Vridachalam on June 9.

UNI PAB SJ SW MIR KP1411