Creating awareness through music

DIMAPUR, JANUARY 9: The Nagaland State AIDS Control Society, through its ‘awareness through music campaign’, to create consciousness on HIV/AIDS reached out to nearly seventeen thousand people in Nagaland state within a period of one month in October 2013. This awareness drive, termed ‘NSACS Music for Zero – A Red Ribbon Superstar Campaign,’ covered eleven districts and sixteen educational institutions in twenty-four days. An activity report of the campaign informed that over 16,800 people were reached out to and that fifty people underwent tests for HIV at the venues.

 

 

The Campaign kicked off in Mon on October 1, 2013 and concluded on October 28, 2013 at Dimapur. Each event, over the course of the campaign, saw several bands compete for the title of ‘NSACS Red Ribbon Superstar 2013’ and motivational speakers speak of first hand experiences about living with HIV/AIDS and drug abuse. The NSACS teams also visited several educational institutes and interacted with students.

Guest Speakers encouraged students to develop awareness on HIV/AIDS and on the need to be “safe, careful and to make the right choices.” Over the course of the campaign, Dr Ayieno Kechu, Deputy Director IEC NSACS, revealed that more than 50 percent of HIV infections in Nagaland state is from Dimapur district. She further stressed on the need to “talk about HIV/AIDS and the issues related to it” and to address the stigma attached to it.

The campaign also saw a pledge signing event on October 27 at Jumping Bean Café, Dimapur. The pledge involved an individual vow to equip oneself with knowledge about HIV/AIDS and to “create awareness towards creating a society of Zero New HIV infections, Zero Discrimination and Zero AIDS related deaths.” The gathering further vowed to live a “safe and responsible lifestyle” and become an agent of change.

The campaign culminated in a grand finale at Dimapur on October 28. Making Merry from Kohima were adjudged as the ‘NSACS’ Red Ribbon Superstar 2013.’  

 Educational institutes visited by the NSACS team included Wankhao government college, Mon; Christian School, Longleng; Town Higher Secondary School, Mokokchung; Bethesda High School and government high school, Thangjam; Cornerstone school and government college, Zunheboto; Witter Theological College, Wokha; Baptist High School, Peren; Baptist College, Kohima; Loyola Higher Secondary School, Saramati View Modern College and Zisaji Presidency College, Kiphire and government college, government higher secondary school and Bishop Abraham School in Phek.