By: Md. Mudassir Alam
As you reach Platform No: 2 of Kishanganj Railway Station, a small stall of Charca Information Centre will catch your at once with the quote "Nar Ho Ya Naari, Sabko ho HIV/AIDS Ki Jankari" (Male or Femall all should have knowledge about HIV / AIDS) and "Pardesh Jana Par, AIDS Na Lana" (Go abroad, but don't bring back AIDS) . Situated just below the footover bridge, the centre has been set up as a part of CHARCA Project by Bihar AIDS Control Society with association of UNICEF, Bihar. The centre is run by Zila Saksharta Samiti (District Education Committee) Kishanganj under the guidance of DM Kishanganj.
CHARCA stall at Kishanganj Railway Station
Like usual passengers I have seen the CHARCA centre many times while boarding the train from Platform No: 2. But a copule of months back while on my way to Katihar I paid a visit to the centre and started to click some photographs. Due to early morning no any staff was present at the stall. In response to my photo clicking (that becomes a special attention for everyone) two men came close to me and enquired with the question "Aap Kaun Hain Sir" (Who are you sir?) aur "Kyun Photo Kinch Rahe Hain" (Why you are clicking photographs). I felt little pleased over the reference sir, instead of a unwelcomed gesture by the staffs of the centre.
Shafique Siddiqui and Kaushik Das at the CHARCA Stall
I replied them, I am a resident of Kishanganj and working as a Journalist in Delhi. The word 'Journalist' was itself enough to satisfy all their queries and they answered all my questions gently. The two councellors namely - Shafique Siddiqui and Kaushik Das were highly humble and provided me the information about the project CHARCA. Interestingly, Kishanganj is one of the only seven district in India where CHARCA project is run by UNICEF. The two said that they provide basic but essential knowledge about HIV / AIDS to passengers who visit the stall.
Besides useful information, the centre provides brochures and other type of informative materials to visitors such as "How the deadly disease AIDS spreads", "How the HIV / AIDS doesn't spread", "What are preventive measures from HIV / AIDS". A short film about HIV / AIDS is also played at the centre on Television. In addition to these, Condoms (Male Protective Measure) are also distributed to the needy people free-of-cost.
CHARCA (DISHA) is really doing a commendable job by spreading the knowledge about HIV / AIDS in the less educated district of Kishanganj. Every year thousands of less educated people from Kishanganj and adjoining areas migrate to metros like New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata to earn their livelihood. And due to lack of knowledge sadly some people get affected with deadly HIV / AIDS. Like CHARCA, other NGOs and social organisations should come forward and open their stalls at such places like Railway Stations, Bus Stands, Chowk and Chaurahas, and spread the knowledge..
