Odishatv Bureau
Bhubaneswar: Today was the World AIDS Day. The day marked several government and non-government agencies organising several functions to create awareness against the dreaded disease. Children and adults alike joined in large numbers in a mini-marathon organised by OTV in the state capital. Awareness about the disease was the best remedy against the disease, that was the common refrain among the large number of participants.

The mantra of the mini marathon was-run for life but not death. It appeared as if everybody, starting from small children to adults were running with a singular motto, that was, run to create awareness against the disease and make the world free from the fear of the disease. All those whom took part in the grand marathon realised that the society should hate the disease but not the unfortunate ones who have been affected by HIV virus. The marathon which started off from Infocity terminated at Kalinga Stadium. The theme this year was: `Getting to zero, Zero new infection, Zero discrimination and Zero AIDS-related deaths.

The marathon took off around seven in the morning. A cultural function was organised at the Kalinga stadium after where rock music was played by a famous band. Several celebrities like Odia superstar Mihir Dash, Jagi Managat Panda and the health minister Prasanna Acharya participated in the marathon. OTV has been organising the mini-marathon for the last three years.

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