OREANDA-NEWS. December 26, 2012. Tata Power, India's largest integrated power company, has undertaken several initiatives to promote awareness on health issues across its areas of operations. In another such initiative, Tata Power organised a quiz and poster competition called HIV/AIDS — Health Issues, at ABIT in Cuttack, Odisha, and an awareness programme and rally on HIV/AIDS at Prava Routray College, Godisahi, Cuttack.

The quiz and drawing competitions saw the participation of 34 teams from different colleges all across Cuttack district. After the written test, six teams out of 34 qualified for the oral round, following which the winners were declared for both the competitions.

On the eve of World AIDS Day, an awareness programme-cum-rally was also organised by Tata Power at Prava Routray College, Godisahi. About 200 students assembled in the college auditorium for the formal meeting which was presided by the principal, Tribhuban Sadangi, officers from Tata Power, the teaching staff, local leaders, opinion makers, and representatives from panchayati raj institutions. Anjali Das, counselor, SCB Medical College, Cuttack, addressed the gathering on the cause of HIV infection and its effects on the human body.

Speaking on the occasion, Purushottam Thakur, head, Odisha projects, said, “Tata Power is committed to taking initiatives for the betterment of society. Such programmes help develop a better understanding of serious issues among the youth. We are more than pleased with the response that we have received for the initiative so far and will continue our efforts to ensure that more communities benefit from such initiatives.”

JP Das, OAS (SB-I), was the chief guest at the event and he appreciated Tata Power's efforts to promote awareness among the youth. The principal of ABIT, Dr Santosh Kumar Mishra, also spoke on the role of students in creating awareness among the public on HIV/AIDS and the ill-effects of the disease on society.