An animated bike rally was the focus point of an awareness campaign for HIV/AIDS in Tamil Nadu, one of the Indian regions with the greatest number of AIDS victims. The event was promoted by the ‘Centre for Social Reconstruction’, one of the local partners of Malteser International, the Order of Malta’s international relief corps.

The rally was followed by some hundred young people on scooters, each wearing a T-shirt bearing the logo of Malteser International and a slogan on HIV prevention. They covered the 60 kilometres from Kaliakkavilai to Nagercoil accompanied by music and street theatre, distributing leaflets and informative material.

The rally passed through towns and villages, flanking markets and bus stops. Over 15 thousand people turned out to watch the spectacle and not only the villagers but also street vendors and college students benefited from the programme. Shortly before the final destination, as a symbol of the day, the CSR organization lit a torch of ‘enlightenment’ which was then carried to the assembly hall and handed over to the town mayor.