Jaipur: World AIDS Day was marked in Jaipur on Monday with a major awareness initiative at Jawahar Circle, where more than 400 young participants came together to advocate empathy and accurate understanding about HIV and AIDS.
The event featured an energetic Zumba warm‑up, live music, an interactive quiz, and a powerful street play addressing stigma, misinformation, mental health concerns, and the daily challenges faced by people living with HIV. Students from various colleges, NCC volunteers, and members of civil society marched with banners calling for respect and equal rights for all.
The programme was jointly hosted by Rays – Aasha ki Ek Kiran, an organisation supporting HIV‑positive children for the past 15 years, and Positive Youth Network, a community‑based group working with marginalised young people. AU Small Finance Bank extended sponsorship support for this awareness drive.
During the gathering, Co‑founder and Secretary of Rays – Aasha ki Ek Kiran, Gurinder Virk, expressed appreciation for the growing involvement of young voices in the movement.
He said the initiative began with a simple belief — no child or young adult living with HIV should feel isolated. “The enthusiasm we see today shows that the youth are ready to take responsibility and lead a change in attitudes,” he noted.
Organisers emphasised that the goal of the campaign is to replace fear with knowledge and replace stigma with compassion. They said such efforts are crucial for building an inclusive, informed, and supportive society in Rajasthan.
