Red Ribbon Superstar Choir competition concludes
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 15 2013 :
The three-day Red Ribbon Superstar Choir Competition organised by Manipur State AIDS Control Society concluded today at MBC Centre Church, Chingmeirong.
The competition was held under the theme 'Love & Love Alone can Bring Zero Stigma & Discrimination of HIV/AIDS' as a part of MACS' sustained campaign against the dreaded disease.
The final event of the competition, held since March 13 at the five hill districts, was participated by two each choir groups from Senapati, churachandpur, Ukhrul, Tamenglong and Chandel districts with the top three position winners awarded Rs 30,000, Rs 20,000 and Rs 15,000 respectively.
Consolation prizes of Rs 5000 each were also handed to the participants.
As a part of awareness programme, MACS Deputy Director Dr LR Kom delivered lecture on 'Basics of HIV/AIDS', Cavalry Counselling Centre, Koirengei's Amhun Leivon on 'Role of Community and Church, in particular, for achieving zero stigma & discrimination of HIV/AIDS affected and infected people' and MACS Consultant (Mainstreaming) SK Victor on 'role of Church in combating HIV/AIDS in Manipur' .
Earlier, addressing the gathering MBC pastor L Simon Raomei exhorted MACS officials to sustain its campaign for eliminating social stigma attached to HIV/AIDS infected persons and expressed that involving Church organisations in the campaign will bring positive results.
Lamenting that a number of individuals continue to use harmful substances inspite of being aware that such indulgence would ruin one's life and character, Simon pledged all possible cooperation of Churches in combating the ills of drugs and substance abuse.
In his presidential address MACS Project Director Dr Shailesh Kumar Chourasia conveyed that the awareness programme on HIV/AIDS was conducted in association with MBC with the firm belief that Church leaders could impress the general public, particularly the youngsters, to stay away from drugs.
With many having misconception that HIV/AIDS infections are consequences of immoral behaviour there is need for creating awareness that social stigma attached to the infected persons or discriminating the victims would only complicate the issue.