World Aids Day: NCA students raise awareness through art

Give their two pence through paintings and graffiti.


Students of National College of Arts, Rawalpindi campus participating in the event held to educate youth about preventive measures against Aids. PHOTO: MUHAMMAD JAVAID/ EXPRESS

RAWALPINDI:


Medical research is currently at the most advanced stage ever in human history and although new antidotes are being discovered, some diseases are still incurable. For acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (Aids) caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), prevention is the only safe bet.


Hayat, a skill-based educational initiative for adolescents, organised “Creative Express Activity” on Friday to promote awareness about measures to prevent Aids to mark World Aids Day which falls on December 1.

Some 30 students used their brushes and spray cans to promote the cause through paintings and graffiti under the supervision of three Fine Arts teachers. A large number of students observing the artists at work appreciated the effort of their peers and cheered them on.

Speaking on the occasion, HAYAT Chief Executive Officer Omer Aftab stressed on the need to engage the youth on issues concerning them, saying Aids awareness was crucial.



“Absence of information
and proper guidance can expose young adults to exploitation and lead them to make wrong decisions. Parents and teachers can educate adolescents regarding the disease in light of Islam,” he added.

Rawalpindi National College of Arts (NCA) Principal Dr Nadim Omer Tarar endorsed the cause and assured unconditional support while appreciating the efforts of HAYAT campaign that emphasised on giving proper care and attention to Aids patients and informed that
social alienation of a person who has contracted the virus is counter-productive for them.

“It’s about time parents and teachers start educating children about problems linked to growing up, including diseases like Aids,” said Hira Ali, a young volunteer who thinks no one could teach the youth better about the issue than parents themselves.

The activity was organised in collaboration with NCA Rawalpindi.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 30th, 2013.

COMMENTS (2)

Baba Ji | 10 years ago | Reply

NCA students raise awareness through art .... would have been better if they circulated more condoms in the their hostels !!!

Brig (R) Waheed Uz Zaman Tariq | 10 years ago | Reply

AIDS has hit Pakistan since 1980s as far as we know. I have been initially involved at national level for it's control. Then as a member of regional an and global task forces of the United Nations in fight against HIV/AIDS and being involved on many international project, I have experienced a lack of knowledge and understanding. Deposited that our. Country had remained unaffected till our infected youth started coming back from abroad, mainly the Gulf States with HIV mainly in the early 1990s. Then something went wrong in early 2000s, when our drug addicts became affected in a high percentage. This highly mobile population which becomes beggar as well prostitute according to need and travel with trucks and railway tract is highly volatile. Such a group is difficult to reach but the most important in the spread of HIV. Education and awareness needs to be extended to hidden groups, like prostitutes, gays, hi jars, drug addicts and runaway children. We are at a stage, when we need action and commitment at all levels. Thailand has a good history if control by spreading awareness and adopting control measures. In our country, initially, even talking about the modes of HIV spread was a taboo. We have made a headway in this respect and the nation is out of the phase of denial. Such efforts are really appreciable.

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ