Students of Gyan Niketan School display their paintings in Patna on Wednesday. Picture by Ranjeet Kumar Dey

Patna, Dec. 1: Gyan Niketan School at Gola Road organised many inter-school competitions to spread their awareness campaign against AIDS for its students today.

Students from classes IX to XII not only showcased their talents well but also won prizes for their creativity.

In the slogan writing competition, Abhishek Mishra of Gyan Niketan bagged the first prize, Sulochna of Army School, Danapur Cantt won the second prize and Akanksha Bhushan of Delhi Public School bagged the third prize. In extempore, Ayush of Gyan Niketan clinched the first prize and the second prize went to Rishi of Radiant International and Shubham of Gyan Niketan bagged the third prize. Vicky of Gyan Niketan won the first prize in poster-making competition, Neha of Army School, Danapur Cantonment won the second prize and Rishabh Raj of Radiant International got the third prize.

The participants exhibited their innovative ideas on “prevention is better than cure”.

Speaking on the occasion, chief guest Dr Hridaya Shankar, a Delhi-based Ayurveda practitioner, said: “It is always better to have maximum information and take all preventive measures. Most of the times, poor and illiterate people (migratory labourers and drivers) are susceptible to the disease. They should be made aware about the infection and also programmes should be organised at places like bus stands and railway stations than in closed rooms.”

Shankar said: “Shortly, people will hear about a miracle in HIV treatment from the field of Ayurveda. Research is in the advanced stage.”

He added: “Young students can bring awareness to the maximum level.”

Also present on the occasion was principal D.K. Mukherjee. Delivering his welcome speech, he said: “Prevention is cure against AIDS. Awareness needs to be spread against the disease.”

During the programme, Bhanu Mitra and Prashant Kumar, both Class X students, presented a documentary film.

Sushmit Shubham anchored the whole programme. Guests included retired IAS officers as Jiya Lal Arya and R.K. Srivastava.

Retired Justice Narmadeshwar Pandey, former vice-chancellors of Patna University, S.N.P. Sinha, L.N. Ram and K.V. Srinivasan, the former head of chemistry department, Patna University were also present.

Anita Kunal congratulated the winners and Kiran Bala Sinha proposed the vote of thanks.