Mysuru College Run Raises HIV Awareness Among Youth

A 5‑km run was kicked off from Maharani’s Arts College for Women in Mysuru on Monday to spread HIV awareness among young people. Rajendra, Assistant Police Commissioner of the Devaraj sub‑division, flagged off the event at about 7 a.m. on the college campus on JLB Road. Around 65 boys and girls from Maharani’s College, Maharaja’s College, Teresian College, Yuvaraja’s College, JSS College and institutions in T. Narasipura taluk joined the mobilisation. The participants followed a route past the old DC office, the court complex, Brand factory, Ballal Circle, RTO Circle and Ramaswamy Circle before returning to the starting point. The run was organized under the banner HIV Awareness Drive‑2026 by the District AIDS Prevention and Control Unit, Maharani’s Arts College for Women and local NSS units, following a National AIDS Control Organisation advisory that targets 18‑ to 35‑year‑olds for preventive work. Winners received prizes and will represent the district at a state‑level AIDS awareness programme in Davangere on October 17. Since August 12, the district has run bike rallies, quiz contests and other runs as part of the AIDS Suraksha programme. The District AIDS Prevention and Control Unit has set up Red Ribbon Clubs in 65 colleges and a Sneha Clinic in high schools and PU colleges to teach safe‑sex practices, needle‑prick safety and screening every Thursday, said Dr. B. Brunda. NACO has introduced a QR code for self‑assessment and a toll‑free helpline 1097 for privacy‑protected help. Officials present included Dr. B. Brunda, principal M.S. Anitha, physical‑education director Bhaskar and NSS officers Lingaraju and Vijayalakshmi. ## Context The run reflects a broader push by Indian health agencies to meet the 2030 goal of eliminating new HIV infections by focusing early education and community engagement among youth.