Date:03/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/03/stories/2008080351490300.htm

Karnataka - Hassan

Exciting welcome to Red Ribbon Express

Staff Correspondent

It arrived in Arsikere on Saturday morning

HASSAN: The Red Ribbon Express was given an exciting welcome when it arrived at the Arsikere Railway Station on Saturday. The train, after being stationed for three days in Hassan, was flagged off to Arsikere (also in Hassan district) on Saturday morning.

K.M. Shivalinge Gowda, Ariskere MLA, said there were 25 lakh people in India who were affected by AIDS, of which 2.5 lakh were in Karnataka. Only a disciplined life could prevent people from contracting such diseases, he added.

‘Doubly careful’

Mr. Gowda said as AIDS had no cure, people should be doubly careful. Earlier, inaugurating the programme at the railway station, president of the zilla panchayat C.N. Balakrishna appreciated the cultural troupes who were part of the awareness team, for educating the people on HIV. He said that in Hassan, over 30,000 people visited the train. According to information given by the crew in the train, after Raibareily in Uttar Pradesh, it was Hassan that had recorded the maximum of number of visitors to the exhibition.

Assistant Commissioner Shivashankar welcomed the gathering while Arsikere Taluk Panchayat executive officer Krishna Murthy proposed the vote of thanks. A large number of students and elected representatives visited the exhibition.