HIV awareness event held

CHENNAI: Over 600 students from across Tamil Nadu gathered to celebrate the World AIDS Day by participating in the Dance4Life programme recently. To spread awareness about HIV AIDS across the world,  a host of school students from Chennai, Thiruvallur and Vellore participated in the dance event. Other highlights of the event were a skit by MCC Higher Secondary School, a traditional Tamil folk dance by girls from Shanthi Nikethan Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Vellore and a drama focussing on the modes of transmission of HIV by boys from the Government Higher Secondary School, Thiruvalangadu.The show was presented by Indian and UK volunteers who have been working together to implement the Dance4Life programme under the youth-based International NGO — Restless Development. Dance4Life is a global movement, raising awareness on HIV AIDS through dance and life skill lessons, encouraging young people worldwide to become agents of change.The students who attended the programme were awarded certificates for their efforts in raising awareness on HIV. They were presented certificates by Shanmugam from the Tamil Nadu AIDS Control Society. Joe, who is also a member of the society, delivered an inspiring talk on the modes of transmission, encouraging the youth to be faithful to their partners.  Joe, then presented a poetry book, put together by Dance4Life competition winners, whose work was based on HIV AIDS and the role of young people in raising awareness.