ITANAGAR, SEP 19:

Jai Thapa and Yunring Alan Hongray of Holy Cross Higher Secondary School, Itanagar, emerged champions of the state-level Red Ribbon Quiz Competition, earning the right to represent Arunachal Pradesh at the Northeast regional contest in Meghalaya.

Organised by the Arunachal Pradesh State AIDS Control Society (APSACS) on Friday, the competition brought together young participants from across the state to test their knowledge on HIV/AIDS, health and related social issues.

The quiz, conducted through multiple rounds, was aimed at taking HIV awareness beyond textbooks and classrooms by encouraging youngsters to question misconceptions, fight stigma and initiate informed conversations within their schools, families and communities.

Radhika Lama and Nang Jewani Munglang of Higher Secondary School, Chongkham, secured the second position, while Phurpa Lhamu Dingla and Bamang Aya of VKV Nirjuli finished third.

APSACS joint director (IEC) Tashor Pali has stressed that the Red Ribbon Quiz is not merely about winning or losing, but about encouraging youngsters to learn, reflect and carry the knowledge back to their friends and families.

“Our aim is to create a chain of information where each student becomes a messenger of awareness,” Pali had said while explaining the broader objective of the initiative at the previous edition of the competition.

The competition forms part of APSACS’ continuing efforts to involve young people in HIV/AIDS awareness and turn them into agents of change, particularly in tackling misinformation and the stigma associated with the infection.

The Holy Cross duo will now carry Arunachal Pradesh’s hopes to the Northeast Regional Red Ribbon Quiz Competition in Meghalaya.