JHARSUGUDA: Vedanta Limited, Jharsuguda observed the World AIDS Day, 2017 on the 1st December, 2017 with a new theme My Health My Rights anchored by CSR Department along with partner NGO SARC.
More than 2000 people participated in the event including Vedanta employees, truck drivers, Students from 15 nearby school and general public.
The event involved range of interactive activities like red ribbon distribution, awareness session with truck drivers, student rally, awareness session with children etc. However the event was flagged off with wearing Red Ribbon which is symbol of solidarity and support towards the people living with HIV.
An awareness session was organized at Vedanta Truck driver recreation centre for the truck drivers who are considered as more vulnerable of HIV infection. More than 100 truck drivers participated in this interactive session.
A session with emphasis on HIV transmission, staging, stigma, prevention, treatment and individual role in reduction of stigma and discrimination was held.
Addressing the gathering of truck drivers Sundar Raj – CSR Head asserted that ‘No one can lead our live for us. We are responsible for our own action and we are the best to care own life. So we need to be very much careful where safe sex is concern’. He urged the gathering to adopt safe sex measures.
Post the session with Truck drivers another program was organized at Sarbahal High school where more than 90 children were participated from 15 nearby school.
A rally for raising awareness of HIV AIDS was organized where students carried placards with slogan on HIV /AIDS like Hate the disease but not the diseased, Satark rahe Suraksit rahe etc. Dr. Radharaman Birtia (District Tuberculosis officer, District hospital, Jharsuguda) took an interactive session on HIV/AIDS.
He urged the students to play an important role in their surroundings. The event culminated with prize distribution to the winners of the debate and essay writing competition.
