SHILLONG, MAY 31: Using “Music” as a platform to spread awareness on HIV/AIDS and reach out to the youths, the Meghalaya AIDS Control Society (MACS) is all set to present the ‘Meghalaya Icon 2013’ – a musical hunt for a brand ambassador to campaign against the spread of the disease and also spread awareness within Meghalaya. This will be the fourth times such the Meghalaya Icon is being held.
The audition for the Meghalaya Icon will be held in seven districts of the state which will begin onJune 14, wherein musical bands, solo artists and even folk troupes are expected to compete for the ‘title’ with cash prize of Rs 1 lakh.
MACS project director E Khain told a news conference o Friday, “The event targets to enlighten the youths between the age group of 15 – 29 years besides the general public through music on the importance of prevention from HIV/AIDS.”
Khain said, “The MACS has to an extent been successful in creating mass awareness by organizing such event in the past three years.”She, however, emphasized the need to create awareness on prevention as a mean to tackle the disease from spreading besides medicare and support treatments.
MACS event partner, Andreas War said, “The participating bands and artists will have sing self-compose a song about HIV/AIDS from which the best will be crown with the ambassador title and sign a one year contract with the society for the purpose of creating awareness on the disease.”
War also informed that the language for the music will be in Khasi, Jaintia, Garo and English.” He said that in the past three years bands from different parts of the state have been competing but this year a new addition have been made that of solo artists and folk troupes.”
Terming this year’s event as special, War said the event will be held not just in three districts but in seven districts of the state – Jowai, West Jaintia (June 14), Khliehriat, East Jaintia (June 15), Umsning, Ri Bhoi (June 21), Tura, West Garo (June 27), Williamnagar, East Garo(June 25), Mawkyrwat, South West Khasi (June 22) and Shillong in East Khasi hills district. He said the grand finale will be held in Shillong on July 6.
One winner from each district and four from Shillong will be selected to compete at the grand finale, War informed adding the overall prize money is about Rs 2.5 lakhs with a lakh for the winner and Rs 10,000 each for district winners and Rs 5000 for the runners’ up.
The MACS will also put up mobile ICTC for providing counseling at the venue in all the district events.- By Our Reporter
How much has been invested here…Wish they could finance the grassroot workers who work on these fields as they really need help…