A one-day HIV/AIDS awareness seminar held in North Tripura, inaugurated by Minister Tinku Roy, highlighted rising infections among youth due to injectable drug use. The event also marked the launch of the “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” initiative and emphasized urgent community action for prevention and youth welfare.
One-day awareness and sensitization seminar on HIV/AIDS was held in North Tripura, aiming to confront a growing public health crisis in the region. The programme was formally inaugurated by the Hon’ble Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Shri Tinku Roy. Organized jointly by the District Health Department and the Tripura AIDS Control Society, the seminar drew attention to the escalating number of HIV/AIDS cases in the district, particularly among the youth.
The event witnessed the presence of several prominent dignitaries including Zilla Sabhadhipati Aparna Nath, Panchayat Samiti Chairman Mihir Ranjan Nath, as well as senior officials from the Tripura AIDS Control Society. Members of the Zilla Parishad and the Panchayat Samiti also attended in support of the initiative. Their presence underlined the importance that both the government and local governing bodies are attaching to this worsening health challenge.
A Worrying Surge in Infections
During the seminar, officials highlighted a deeply concerning trend — North Tripura has emerged as the district with the highest number of HIV/AIDS cases in the state. What is particularly alarming is that a significant portion of the affected population are young people, especially teenagers and college students. According to data presented, the surge in infections is closely linked to the increasing use of injectable drugs among adolescents.
Health experts stressed that the reckless practice of sharing needles among drug users is contributing to a rapid rise in new HIV infections. This pattern is posing a major challenge for both the healthcare system and society at large. The youth, considered the future of the state, are heading down a dangerous path that threatens not only their lives but also the overall well-being of the community.
The district’s Kadamtala block has been identified as a particularly high-risk area. Director Bhattacharjee of the Tripura AIDS Control Society provided a detailed analysis of the current crisis, highlighting the urgent need for multifaceted intervention — including public education, stricter drug control policies, and accessible rehabilitation services.
Government’s Ongoing Response
Minister Tinku Roy, in his address, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to combatting the HIV/AIDS crisis. He emphasized that awareness, education, and community engagement are critical components of the government’s strategy. Minister Roy noted that the state has been conducting regular awareness camps, educational seminars, and health screenings to check the spread of the virus and reduce drug dependency among the youth.
He called upon educators, community leaders, and healthcare professionals to actively participate in sensitizing the population about the dangers of drug use and the importance of preventive healthcare. Minister Roy also urged parents to maintain open communication with their children and remain vigilant about signs of drug abuse.
Empowerment and Inclusivity: Launch of “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao”
The event also served as the platform for the regional launch of the central government’s flagship initiative — “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” — under the aegis of the Department of Social Welfare. Minister Roy officially launched the campaign in North Tripura during the seminar.
In a symbolic move, the Minister handed over sanitation kits to four differently-abled young women, showcasing the government’s commitment to inclusive development and women’s empowerment. This gesture underscored the state’s broader agenda of integrating social welfare with public health outreach, ensuring no community is left behind.
Looking Ahead: A Community-Centric Strategy
Experts and officials who spoke at the seminar reiterated the need for a sustained, community-centric strategy in tackling both HIV/AIDS and drug abuse. Schools, colleges, religious institutions, and local bodies were encouraged to host awareness sessions and provide platforms for open discussion.
The Tripura AIDS Control Society also announced plans to intensify its efforts through more field-level interventions, including the distribution of clean needle kits, expansion of rehabilitation centres, and collaborations with NGOs for door-to-door awareness campaigns.
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The seminar concluded with a pledge by all attending members — government officials, community leaders, and healthcare professionals — to work together in fighting the twin challenges of drug addiction and HIV/AIDS. They agreed that saving the youth from the grip of addiction and deadly diseases is not just a policy issue but a collective moral responsibility.
