Kohima, Feb 25 (WE THE NAGAS): In a timely and impactful initiative, the Red Ribbon Club of Don Bosco College Kohima organised an HIV/AIDS Awareness Drive at Old NST, Main Town Area, Kohima under the theme “Surmounting Stigma, Leveling the Path”. The programme aimed to educate students, challenge misconceptions, and inspire youth leadership in addressing one of the region’s pressing public health challenges.
Highlighting the significance of the event, guest speaker Dr. M. Nukshisangla Jamir, Joint Director of the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS), drew attention to the alarming prevalence of HIV in the state. According to the latest estimates, Nagaland has an adult HIV prevalence rate of around 1.36 – 1.37 %, substantially higher than the national average of 0.21 % — placing the state among the highest in India for HIV burden.
Dr. Jamir outlined the origin and spread of HIV/AIDS, explained preventive measures, and emphasised the need for early testing and treatment. “Awareness needs to go beyond knowledge, it must lead to acceptance, empathy, and action,” she told the attentive student audience.
A moving segment titled “My Chronicles” featured members of K&P Organisation, Kohima, who courageously shared their experiences of living with HIV. Their testimony brought a personal dimension to the statistics and underscored how stigma and discrimination continue to affect people’s lives. The speakers urged students to act as change agents in society, advocating respect, inclusion, and dignity for all.
Adding to the call for engagement, Miss Neilanou Sachü, Miss Kohima 2025 – 1st Runner-up, a student of Don Bosco College, Kohima led the audience in an HIV/AIDS awareness pledge, reinforcing young people’s role in reducing stigma and promoting safe practices.
The drive also featured performances by the Don Bosco College choir and Don Bosco College Dance crew, including presentations titled “Heal the World” and “Message in Action,” creatively illustrating the themes of unity, hope, and collective responsibility.
In his concluding remarks, Club Coordinator Mr. Bendang Jamir reminded students that “the fight against HIV/AIDS is not just medical, it’s social, it’s cultural, and it needs the voice of every young person in Nagaland.”
The programme closed with a special prayer by Fr. Tious Varghese SDB, Principal of Don Bosco College Kohima, invoking compassion and support for those affected by HIV/AIDS.
With Nagaland continuing to grapple with a higher prevalence than many other states, initiatives such as this student-led awareness drive play a crucial role in informing public discourse, reducing stigma, and encouraging responsible health behaviour.