IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 27, 2022

To encourage healthy lifestyle and to educate the public specially the youth, Chandigarh State AIDS Control Society organized a  Cycle Rally today starting from Sukhna Lake to New Lake Sector 42 Chandigarh.

The Cycle Rally was flagged off by Yashpal Garg Secretary Health. He urged people to adopt Healthy lifestyles by making cycling a routine activity and appreciated the efforts made by Chandigarh State AIDS Control Society in controlling  the spread of  HIV/AIDS in the city

More than 450 Cyclists from all walks of life participated in this awareness rally. The youngest Cyclist was 8 years old and the oldest was 78 years. The participants had decorated their Cycles in a way that gave message “Know AIDS for No AIDS” motivating people to come forward and gather knowledge about HIV/AIDS.

An Ambulance arranged by the department also followed the cyclists for their safety.

Yashpal Garg, Secretary Health, Akhil Kumar, Additional Secretary Health, Dr. Suman Singh, Director Health Services, Rajiv Tewari, Director Public Relations, Dr. Virender Nagpal, Project Director, Chandigarh SACS also participated in the rally. Prizes for the Quiz on HIV/AIDS conducted at Lake Sector 42 were distributed and participants were also motivated for Voluntary Free HIV Testing at the stationed Mobile HIV Testing Van at the venue.

HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases are most prevalent in the age group 15 to 39 years. Project Director, Dr. Virender Nagpal conveyed that Chandigarh is showing a declining trend in HIV epidemic, this is a result of extensive education and awareness about the disease.