Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi today said that he wanted health education to be made compulsory in primary school classes to help the coming generations to lead a healthy life.
Inaugurating a two-day 'inter-faith interface' on AIDS awareness in Thiruvananthapuram he said: "My personal view is that at least one hour a week should be devoted for health education by making it part of the curriculum. This would not only make them grow healthy but also create awareness about serious health threat like AIDS."The two-day meet was organized by Kesari Memorial Journalist Trust and Kerala AIDS Control Society and discussed issues such as the role of faith in AIDS awareness campaign.
Mr.Ravi advised NGOs engaged in AIDS awareness programmes to give more attention to rural areas.
It was generally felt that AIDS awareness campaigns had largely been confined to bigger cities and rural areas have been neglected. Mr.Ravi felt that it was time that the attention was shifted to rural areas as well. Women's self-help initiatives like 'Kutumbashree' in Kerala could be roped in AIDS awareness campaigns, he added.
