The UPA Chairperson Mrs. Sonia Gandhi today flagged off Red Ribbon Express from Safdarjung Railway Station New Delhi on the occasion of World Aids Day. The day is observed to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS around the world. Speaking on occasion Mrs. Gandhi said that the train will go a long way in spreading awareness among the people about AIDS. She said the UPA government is committed to control such type of disease and also appealed to various departments and NGO's to join hands to fight against AIDS. The Union Health and Family Wefare Minister, Mr. Gulam Nab Azad informed that over 27 lakh people were affected by the HIV/AIDS in the country which is very small according to size of the population. The Railway Minister Miss Mamta Banjerji speaking on the occasion said that the Red Ribbon Express in the second phase will cover 152 stations in 141 districts of 24 states. It will develop an understanding about the infection in order to reduce stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS. Besides disseminating information regarding prevention and services it will also generate awareness about swine flu, Tuberculosis and Reproductive and Child Health services. Delhi Chief Minister Mrs. Sheila Dikshit and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Dinesh Trivedi were among those present on the occasion.<br/><br/>Meanwhile, the Assam State AIDS Control Society has initiated a novel concept to spread awareness on the dreaded disease by organizing Red Ribbon Clubs in colleges to cater to a larger target group. The clubs are currently in operation in 72 colleges of the State and they are dispensing information relating to AIDS and HIV to students. Society sources said the HIV/AIDS scene is quite serious in Assam with 3,835 people already identified as HIV-positive, among which 991 have AIDS. 152 of the total AIDS-afflicted have been identified as children. Kamrup district in the State reported the highest number of HIV cases followed by Cachar and Dibrugarh. The State Commissioner-Secretary for Health Mr. V.S. Bhaskar disclosed that the main factor behind the AIDS situation in Assam was due to its proximity to Manipur and Nagaland, both highly vulnerable to the disease.<br/><br/>A massive public rally was organized in Guwahati this morning to mark the World AIDS Day. Public meetings, art and poster-writing competitions among school children, street plays on AIDS awareness are also organized to mark the occasion.<br/><br/>While, in Maharashtra, more than 2000 doctors organized an AIDS awareness rally at Girgaon Chowpatty in Mumbai. Top police officials including the Mumbai Police Commissioner participated in this rally. State Minister for Health Suresh Shetty too was present in the city on the eve of World Aids Day. He said that preventing parent-to-child transmission of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) virus will be the state's top priority next year. He was speaking at the unveiling of a giant installation of the HIV virus, as seen under an electron microscope, at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST). The installation is made up of 20,000 balloons and 12,000 condoms. Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, Filmmaker Karan Johar and actor Farhan Akhtar were also present on the occasion. The highest HIV prevalence rates are found in Maharashtra in the west; <br/> <br/> <br/>