Imphal, August 01: Even as the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) is pouring huge amount of money to control HIV/AIDS and spread awareness on the issue, the social stigma and discrimination being slapped on the persons living with the virus remains the same.

Taking a proactive role to change the mindset of the masses in this regard, ISTV Network in collaboration with Institute of Social Works and Research (ISWAR) will launch a game show on HIV/AIDS from August 10 to spread awareness on the issue.

The show which can also be taken as a grand project is exclusively funded by the World Bank.

The local TV network today held a press conference in this regard at its newly installed studio.

Addressing reporters, co-convenor of the organising committee of the show Rupachandra Yumnam said that US $ 40,000 (Rs 15 lakhs approximately) will be funded by the World Bank for the 32-round show which is to be telecast in 84 episodes.

Five episodes will be reserved specially for People Living With HIV/AIDS, nurses/doctors and film/shumang leela artistes, Rupachandra said and added that a special episode for media persons is also under consideration.

The co-convenor said that a brand new car and a Honda Activa will be awarded respectively to the first and second prize winners from the competition section.

Apart from it, a participant will get richer by Rs 200 with every correct answer.

Special prizes are also kept for the audiences and home viewers which can be answered through SMSs, he added.

Rupachandra said that as there are lots of prizes to be won, the major chunk of the $ 40,000 will be spent on prizes.

He further said that 960 competitors will be selected by draw of lots for the whole of 32 rounds of the show on August 10 in a function to be held at Kangla Hall.

The selected participants will be divided into 32 groups with 30 participants in each group, Rupachandra said and added that only two participants will be selected through a simple test for the actual competition for the episode.

Speaking on their project approved by the World Bank, Rupachandra said that the funding agency invited innovative ideas on how to break the stigma and discrimination against the persons living with HIV/AIDS from the mind of the masses.

Taking the plunge, ISTV Network sent their proposal as a project, he said and added that the funding agency selected their suggestions from the 78 shortlisted ideas. Rupachandra said that 1000 ideas were applied from the South Asian countries alone, out of which only 26 ideas were selected all over the world for this $40,000 project.

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