Effigy of AIDS/HIV demon set ablaze on Dushera

Chandigarh, Oct 9 (UNI) To see the burning effigies of a demon on the day of Dushera festival as a symbol of truth prevailing over evil is still very much popular in the India society.

The volunteers of Yuvsatta, an NGO and State Aids Control Society, UT Chandigarh gave it a new dimension by erecting and then setting on fire an effigy of a demon of HIV/AIDS and drugs in Bapu Dham Colony in the city today.

A large crowd consisting mainly of children and volunteers of all the NGO's running HIV/AIDS Project in the city were present on the occasion. Dr Vanita Gupta, Project Director, State AIDS Control Society, Chandigarh was the Chief Guest.

The programme started with magic tricks of magician Ved Parkash, who through his lively tricks informed the people about ways of transmission of HIV/AIDS virus and ill-effects of drug abuse.

Addressing the gathering, Dr Vanita Gupta said that with cases of exchange of needles for drug abuse, people not using condoms at vulnerable times due to alcoholism or lack of awareness, tobacco addiction which at times leads to other hard drugs, the youth today was at a risk. In India 35 per cent of reported new HIV infections are in the age group of 15-24 years, she added.

The effigy of demon of HIV/AIDS and drugs was put on fire jointly by Dr Vanita Gupta and members of NGOs.

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