International Youth Day -2022
Rongili Barta- Along with the rest of the world, Assam State AIDS Control Society (ASACS) in collaboration with District Administration Nagaon observed International Youth Day as state-level event on August 12, 2022 with a gamut of activities. The theme of the International Youth Day, 2022 is “ Intergenerational solidarity : Creating a world for all ages” . The day marked with a rally comprising of students from colleges and schools which was flagged off by Project Director, Assam State AIDS Control Society (ASACS) Pomi Baruah, ACS, along with Additional Deputy Commissioner, Shri Prasanta Baruah, ACS, Executive Director, National Health Mission, Dr Manoj Kr Choudhury and a host of officials from the Nagaon district administration. The was followed by a public meeting at District Library Auditorium, Nagaon. Project Director, Assam State AIDS Control Society (ASACS), Pomi Baruah, ACS, in her keynote address said , “ Youth have the potential to create a new world which is suitable for all ages. Therefore, the youth needs to involve themselves in constructive and creative activities which will help in the all round development of the society and the nation.” Stating that there is a need to create HIV awareness in the district, she further said, “Nagaon is a HIV-vulnerable district . A total of 1107 persons have been detected HIV positive in Nagaon district till March 31, 2022 since the year 2002. Out of that during the year 2021-22, 334 nos of persons have been detected positive in Nagaon district in comparison to 70 persons in 2020-21. ’’Speaking on the occasion as Chief Guest, Minister for Health & FW, Shri Keshab Mahanta said, “We need to create a healthy society and this can be achieved only when the youth of the country follow the path of progress and prosperity.” Addressing the youth, the Minister said, “ If you want give happiness to your parents, you need to restrain from bad habits and high risk behaviours like unprotected sex and drugs.” He further said that all educational institutions should make the students aware on the youth related schemes introduced by the government. The Minister also inaugurated, “Grievance Redressal Mechanism under HIV (Prevention & Control) Act 2017 during the event. Minister for Water Resource, Information & Public Relations, Shri Pijush Hazarika who was the guest of honour in the event said, “ India is a nation of youth and we need to make the young nation work . Youth has the ability to work and become champions in their sphere of work. Today youths like Hima Das has earned laurels for our country. This day is dedicated to the youth so that they become the progressive citizens of the country. For this teachers and guardians have a pivotal role to play.” Deputy Commissioner , Nagaon, Shri Narendra Shah, IAS, and Executive Director, NHM, Dr Monoj Choudhury also spoke on the occasion. A blood donation camp was organized at the District Library Auditorium, Nagaon which was inaugurated by both the Ministers where the campaign, “Know about HIV: Donate blood voluntarily”. was launched. The objective of the campaign is to create awareness on HIV & blood donation amongst college students across the state. The colleges, apart from HIV awareness will conduct blood donation camps and those colleges which can garner the highest number of donors will be awarded during the upcoming days like National Blood Donation Day, World AIDS Day, National Youth Day etc in different phases. Prior to the International Youth Day on August 10, 2022, 7 nos of colleges across Assam have organized blood donation camps in their respective colleges. Prior to International Youth Day, In order to create awareness amongst the students various colleges have taken up quiz, debate, poster making, short film making competitions amongst the colleges and the winners were awarded by the Minister. A Mime show on HIV and Folk campaign on HIV were organized as awareness campaigns during the event. A show on Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav by college students was also organized to mark the 75 years of Independence.