Third Phase of Red Ribbon Express to be flagged off

The Red Ribbon Express is an AIDS/HIV awareness campaign train by the Indian Railways in collaboration with (NACO) National AIDS Control Organistion under Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the motto of which is “Embarking on the journey of life”.The trainwould be flagged off by Hon’ble Union Minister of Heath & Family Welfare, on 12.1.2012 from Delhi Safdarjung with all fan & fare in the presence of other dignitaries. Thre third phase of Red Ribbon Express (RRE) is mainly to reach out to a larger portion of the rural poor.It seeks to spread awareness about HIV/AIDS, promote safe sex and reduce discrimination against AIDS victims in India, since India has the 3rd largest population of HIV/AIDS victims worldwide.The ten-coach train with both doctors and volunteers on board will also strengthen people’s knowledge about general health as well.The train will not only provide counseling but also help people in testing and anti-retro viral treatment.The train after being flagged would arrive at Pragati Maidan on 13.1.2012 and will be stationed there till 11.00p.m. on 14.1.2012 and would depart for its onward journey to other zones of Indian Railways.The train will travel across the country for 1year and stop at 163 stations enroute.The last leg of the itinerary of RRE are the stoppages at Chandausi, Raimala, Saharanpur, Meerut City, Panipat, Kurukshetra, Ambala Cantt., Chandigarh, Nangaldam, Ludhiana, Faridkot, Fazilka, Jalandhar City, Hoshiarpur, Taran Taran, Verka, Baribrahaman, Udhampur, Sambha, Kathua in the Northern Railway and will finally terminate at Delhi Safdarjung station on 10.1.2013 at 7.00 a.m.