It takes a strong army and multi-pronged attack to ward off a determined enemy. And an enemy such as HIV/AIDS requires all the awareness and prevention ammunition that can be summoned. The Rajiv Gandhi Foundation has conceived a unique and powerful idea to combat HIV/AIDS: a train that will traverse over 9,000 km a year, cover 180 districts/halt stations, and hold programmes and activities in 43,200 villages! This is the The Red Ribbon Express (RRE) Project, which will be implemented by the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO). This national campaign will promote a multi-sectoral effort to bring HIV/AIDS into the mainstream of overall socio-economic development rather than regarding it as a medical/public health issue.

The Red Ribbon Express or train itself will comprise seven coaches, equipped with: educational material, primarily on HIV/AIDS, interactive touch screens and 3-D models, PPTCT services in the context of RCH II, HIV-TB co-infection, an LCD projector and platform for folk performances, counseling cabins and two doctors’ cabins for providing counselling and syndromic treatment for STI and RTI cases, an office, dining area and pantry.