RONO HILLS, July 30: The Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) organized the Youth Festival Red Run, a 5 km mini marathon, under the Red Ribbon Club and NSS Cell in association with the Arunachal Pradesh State AIDS Control Society (APSACS) here on Tuesday.

The event aimed to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and drug abuse among university students, research scholars, and staff.

Over 100 participants, including students, research scholars, teaching and non-teaching staff, and NSS volunteers, registered for the event.

Addressing the gathering, RGU vice chancellor Prof Saket Kushwaha emphasized the importance of protecting oneself from HIV and drug abuse.

He motivated the participants to prioritize good health and a good life.

APSACS project director Dr Marbom Basar expressed concerns about the high HIV infection rate in the Papum Pare district and encouraged participants to engage in fitness and wellness activities.

Meanwhile, the mini marathon saw Pill Takar from the department of physical education secure the first prize, Tadar Baro from the department of education win the second and Eyangi Mihu from the department of physics come third in the youth male category.

In the youth female category, Joti Mane from the department of physical education won the first prize while Tadar Yaram from the Department of English and Mointy Towang from the department of zoology secured the second and third positions respectively.

The veteran male category saw Sangey Tsering from the department of physical education bag the first prize followed by Dr Sandeep Janghu from the department of food technology and Solung Sonam from the establishment branch secure the second and third spots respectively. In the veteran female category, Tadang Pana from the department of physical education won the first prize.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks by organizing secretary Dr A Yuvaraj.