Sambalpur, April 10: The Red Ribbon Express arrived in Sambalpur this morning to spread awareness about AIDS, especially among the rural folks.

Officials of the district administration, Nehru Yuva Kendra, NGOs and elected representatives of the district gave a warm welcome to the express at Sambalpur railway station and organised a meeting where hundreds of people from urban and rural areas were present.

The revenue divisional commissioner (RDC) of northern division, M.S. Padhi, flagged off a cycle rally from Sambalpur station on the occasion.

The collector of Sambalpur, Pradipta Kumar Patnaik, presided over a meeting organised on the occasion, where the RDC appealed to the people to remain aware of this dreaded disease.

“Only awareness and precaution can keep the disease away,” Padhi said.

State health minister Sanatan Bisi praised the efforts of the Union government for the awareness drive. “People should abstain from immoral activities and lead a moral life to keep HIV/AIDS away,” Bisi added.

“Manisa banchu, AIDS narahu (Let human beings live without AIDS)”, was the message from the collector-cum-chairman of district AIDS prevention cell of Sambalpur Members of self-help groups, ASHA and a residents of nearby areas were also present at the event. Councillors and doctors explained about the disease to the visitors and clarified doubts.

Meanwhile, cultural troupes are visiting villages in the district to make people aware of AIDS, the collector said.