KOCHI: : Upholding the message ‘Let Your Life be on the Right Track’, the ‘Red Ribbon Express’ will chug its way into the city on Saturday. Union Minister K V Thomas will inaugurate the Red Ribbon Express at 9 am at Ernakulam Junction railway station. Excise Minister K Babu will preside over the function.The ‘Red Ribbon Express’ is touring the country to spread awareness on the threat of Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). It will also organise programmes to do away with the stigma prevailing in society against AIDS patients. Other programmes like providing information on how to prevent falling prey to AIDS and other diseases like tuberculosis and malaria will also be included in the list. Buses have been arranged to conduct similar programmes in the areas that are not accessible by trains. The buses will tour 16 centres in the district. Works Minister V K Ebrahim Kunju will flag off the bus trip.Cultural organisations in the district too will join hands in the awareness drive at four centres. Minister for Food and Civil Supplies Anoop Jacob will inaugurate the exhibitions in the first four coaches of the Red Ribbon. Training programmes in the fifth coach will be inaugurated by Hibi Eden MLA. Medical aid and counselling will be available in the sixth coach. Apart from various stalls, facilities will be provided for a free HIV check-up. Mayor Tony Chammany will deliver the keynote address. District panchayat president Eldose Kunnappilly, Deputy Mayor B Bhadra, project coordinator of state AIDS Control Society Dr K Shylaja, DMO R Sudhakaran, Railways Area Manager K G George John, Railway Additional Chief Medical Superintendent Dr Kunjunjamma George and district programme manager Dr K V Beena will attend the function. The Railways has been carrying out the awareness drive on HIV/AIDS for the past couple of years. The initiative has been getting wide positive response from various corners. The Red Ribbon Express will leave the city on Sunday.
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