Nagaland Red ribbon quiz grand finale held at Tetso College

The grand finale of the Red Ribbon Quiz Competition was held here Friday, at Lorin Hall, Tetso College, Sovima in Chümoukedima, organised by the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS) under the aegis of the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. The event brought together finalists from across the country, marking the culmination of an extensive nationwide competition aimed at empowering youth with knowledge and awareness on HIV and AIDS.
The Telangana state team, represented by T. Devi Sri Prasanna and M. Deeksha, emerged as the national champions, winning the first prize of Rs. 1 lakh. The Manipur team, represented by Ahongshangbam Mukesh Singh and Alison Thoudam, secured the second position, receiving Rs. 75,000, while Kerala, represented by Lekshmi P. and Muhsina Shajahan, secured third place through a tie-breaker with Uttarakhand, earning Rs. 50,000. The Uttarakhand team, comprising Sanjana Bhandari and Saumya Tiwari, received a consolation prize of Rs. 25,000.
The Red Ribbon Quiz engaged students aged 13 to 17 years from classes 8, 9, and 11 across government-aided and private schools, progressing from school to national levels. The competition aimed to impart comprehensive knowledge on HIV and STIs, provide an interactive learning platform on health and well-being, and address topics related to reproductive health, nutrition, hygiene, and lifestyle. It also sought to dispel myths and taboos, reduce stigma and discrimination, and encourage youth to lead healthy, informed, and responsible lives.
Addressing the gathering, additional secretary and director general of NACO, V. Hekali Zhimomi, IAS, described the Red Ribbon Quiz as a celebration of knowledge and compassion. She emphasized that it reflects the commitment of India’s youth to building a more informed, inclusive, and healthier nation.
“The youth are not just the future but also the present,” she said, acknowledging their vital role as change-makers and the conscience of their communities in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
Zhimomi highlighted that while India has made significant progress in reducing new infections, expanding treatment access, and strengthening care systems, challenges remain in reaching vulnerable and marginalized populations.
“The fight against HIV is not just about medical treatment but about changing mindsets,” she said, urging participants to replace stigma with solidarity, silence with dialogue, and fear with compassion.
She further remarked that through the quiz, participants were not only answering questions but also breaking myths, learning truths, and becoming ambassadors of awareness and compassion.
She noted NACO’s collaboration with the Ministry of Education under the Adolescence Education Programme, which has reached over 68,000 schools, empowering adolescents with knowledge and life skills.
Zhimomi also highlighted the role of more than 14,500 Red Ribbon Clubs across the country, which have become vibrant youth platforms promoting voluntary blood donation, safe lifestyles, and community awareness.
Encouraging young participants to serve as peer educators and advocates, she called on them to normalize conversations around HIV testing and prevention, listen without judgment, and extend compassion.
She also lauded NSACS for successfully hosting the event, underscoring that true leadership lies in empathy, lifelong learning, and uplifting others toward a society of dignity, inclusion, and hope.
Director of NACO, Bharti Sahai, in her address, congratulated all participants, describing their involvement as a powerful step toward becoming advocates of truth, empathy, and inclusion. She encouraged students to normalize discussions on HIV and AIDS, challenge misconceptions, and foster understanding over judgment.
“Every small effort count, and every conversation started can save a life,” she remarked, emphasizing that awareness is the first step toward prevention, while compassion is the first step toward healing.
In his welcome address, NSACS Project Director, Dr. Ahu Sekhose, described the Red Ribbon Quiz as a celebration of knowledge and awareness, and urged the youth to continue spreading the message of inclusion and health consciousness. He emphasized that every conversation and awareness initiative bringing society closer to achieving a healthier and stigma-free future.