Race against HIV: Around 150 runners from across the country take part in National Red Run 2.0

Around 150 runners from across the country took part at the National Red Run 2.0 organized by the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) in collaboration with the Goa State AIDS Control Society (GSACS) at Miramar, Panaji, on Saturday, 18.01.2025.

Shri. Shripad Y. Naik, Union Minister of State for New & Renewable Energy, flagged off the 10-km run which was organized with an aim to raise awareness about HIV prevention through sports and community engagement. The top two winners of the state-level Red Runs organized in all the states and Union Territories earlier participated in the National Red Run 2.0 held today. The participants competed in male, female and transgender categories.

While Shri Nabeel Sahi from Kerala won the first prize in the male category, Daniel Wahlang and Skhemlang Shubha from Meghalaya won the second and third prizes respectively. In the female category, Shreya from Chandigarh, Anjali from Uttarakhand, Manisha from Madhya Pradesh bagged the first, second and third prizes respectively. In the transgender category, Tanu Thsokcsom from Manipur, M Naresh from Andhra Pradesh, Gargi Chikhalkar from Maharashtra bagged the first, second and third prizes. The top finishers received cash prizes of Rs. 50,000, Rs. 35,000 and Rs. 25,000 for top three positions respectively.

Additionally, a 02-km Solidarity Run was also organized for participants from diverse backgrounds, including policymakers, representatives from government, civil society, communities, youth, development partners, persons with disabilities, transgender, Defence, police and also general public to show support for those living with HIV. All the participants were given Certificates of Completion and medals.

Speaking at the prize distribution ceremony, Minister of State Shri Shripad Naik said that there are several people in the country who are fighting AIDS and the Red Run was organized to show solidarity to those people and also to break the stigma related to the disease. “AIDS is not an independent or personal issue. It affects the society in general. Hence, we have to control it. We can do that with all the developments that have taken place in the medical research field. I appeal to all of you that you all should spread the message in the society in whatever way you can,” he said.

The government can play a pivotal role in controlling the HIV if those affected come forward without any hesitation and register with the government system, he added.

Shri. Sadanand  Tanawade, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, said that although the Central government is trying its level best to create awareness about HIV and AIDS, each individual has an important role to play in the mission as that makes the efforts of the government successful.

Ms V Hekali Zhimomi IAS, Director General, NACO, and Additional Secretary at Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; Government of India; Shri Nikhil Gajraj IAS, Joint Secretary at Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; Government of India; and Dr Lalitha Umraskar, Project Director, GSACS, were present on the occasion along with other senior officials from and NACO and GSACS.

The first edition of the National Red Run was held in Goa in 2023. It is worth mentioning that around 13,000 Red Ribbon Clubs (RRC) across the country have been established to promote community outreach on HIV/AIDS prevention and provide support for young people seeking information and clarifications about HIV, STIs, and drug abuse. With over such huge number of RRCs across the nation, the Red Run is an initiative designed to encourage youth involvement in HIV/AIDS prevention, dispelling myths, and providing safe spaces for discussion.

Courtesy: India Education Diary

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