A press conference was held on 28th October 2025 at Zone Niathu by the Park, Chümoukedima, ahead of two major upcoming events Red Run 3.0 and the Red Ribbon Quiz Competition Grand Finale organized by the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS).
Addressing the media, Dr. Ahu Sekhose, Project Director, NSACS, informed that Red Run 3.0 will be held on 30th October 2025 at 5:30 a.m. at Agri Expo, 4th Mile, Chümoukedima, under the theme “Run for Awareness, Run Against HIV and STIs”. The event is organized in collaboration with the Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA) and the Nagaland Athletics Association (NAA), and supported by the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India.
He highlighted that red Run 3.0 is a flagship initiative aimed at promoting awareness on HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), encouraging healthy lifestyles, and engaging youth and communities in collective action for health and well-being.
The run will feature two categories — 10 km Competitive Category and 2 km Open (General) Category.
The 10 km Competitive Category will see participation from representatives of 35 States and Union Territories, with prizes of ₹50,000 (1st), ₹35,000 (2nd), and ₹25,000 (3rd) each for both male and female categories.
The 2 km Solidarity Run will see participation from around 700 runners, including students, government officials, police personnel, NGOs, churches, and youth organizations, making it a diverse and inclusive event.
The route for the run will start from Agri Expo, 4th Mile, and proceed towards 7th Mile Junction before returning to the starting point.
Traffic Advisory:
He informed that in view of the Red Run 3.0, the Office of the Commissioner of Police, Dimapur, has issued a traffic advisory to ensure smooth movement and public safety.
·The right-hand side (RHS) stretch of NH-29 from Agri Expo (4th Mile) to 7th Mile Junction will be exclusively reserved for the marathon from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. on 30th October 2025.
·No vehicle movement will be allowed on this stretch during the event, except for emergency vehicles and school buses.
·All feeder approach roads connected to the highway between Agri Expo and 7th Mile Junction will also remain closed for vehicular entry during this time.
·Commuters are requested to cooperate and use alternate routes to avoid inconvenience.
Dr. Sekhose further informed that the Red Ribbon Quiz Competition Grand Finale will be held on 31st October 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at Tetso College, Sovima, Chümoukedima. The event will bring together the four regional winners from Manipur, Telangana, Uttarakhand, and Kerala.
The Special Guest for the occasion will be Ms. V. Hekali Zhimomi, IAS, Additional Secretary and Director General, NACO, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India.
The Red Ribbon Quiz engages students aged 13–17 years (Classes 8, 9, and 11) from schools across India to raise awareness about HIV, STIs, and healthy lifestyles. It aims to promote accurate knowledge, dispel myths, and reduce stigma and discrimination related to HIV.
At the national level, attractive cash prizes will be awarded — ₹1,00,000 for 1st place, ₹75,000 for 2nd, ₹50,000 for 3rd, and ₹25,000 as a consolation prize.
(I. Tiakumla Ao, IA Dimapur)
