Educating Arunachal youth about HIV/AIDS through rock fest

Itanagar, Feb 24 (ANI): To generate mass awareness on HIV/AIDS among the young Arunachalees between the age group of 15 and 35 years, Member of Parliament Takam Sanjoy said that they want to educate the youths through a rock festival and ensure their commitment to fight the disease.

Sanjoy kicked off the competition by playing the guitar himself in a glittering function at Arunachal Festival 2012 at Indira Gandhi Park, Itanagar that was attended by Chief Minister Nabam Tuki and US Ambassador to India, Peter Burleigh.

The Red Rock Fest is an endeavour of the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) and the State AIDS Control Societies in the Northeastern region of the country to generate awareness about HIV/AIDS.

"Through rock festival we want to catch hold of youths coming to witness the rock music as well as learn and pledge themselves to fight against HIV and AIDS," Sanjoy said.

He added that youth are the solution not the problem and their energy should be mobilized to create awareness on HIV/AIDS.

Burleigh, who was the guest of honour at the Red Rock Fest, said: "Especially, for young people, I think, this message about HIV AIDS is extremely important. It's, you know, being devastating in many countries around the world including the US. It is a problem still in India and it needs to be addressed. So, if consciousness is raised, then that is a very good thing and we support it 110 percent."

A Multi Media Campaign (MMC) on HIV/AIDS was launched through musical concerts in Arunachal Pradesh in 2011, and the second edition of the campaign, which has been renamed as Red Rock Fest was launched from Ziro, the headquarters of Lower Subansiri district by the Chief Minister on January 27.

The multi media campaign aims to capitalize on the popularity of local entertainment avenues among youth like music concerts.

The Red Rock Fest was conducted in 13 districts of the state including the capital city from January 27 to February 23.

Carnal Sins, a heavy metal band from Arunachal Pradesh emerged as the winner of Red Rockfest Superstar contest. Incognito, another band from the state came second in the competition followed by Dreamescape in third place. By Praful Kumar Singh (ANI)