Gaurav Gaur, a Commonwealth Youth Ambassador for Positive Living found a unique way to promote both the Taj Mahal and HIV awareness in Chandigarh, India

Commonwealth Youth Ambassador for Positive Living paints his body for a cause

15 June 2007

Gaurav Gaur, a Commonwealth Youth Ambassador for Positive Living adopts a unique way to urge people to vote for Taj Mahal to include it in the new seven wonders of the world and spreads awareness on HIV/AIDS in Chandigarh, India

Gaurav Gaur as a youth ambassador for positive living found a unique way to promote both the Taj Mahal and HIV and AIDS awareness on 8 June 2007. With Taj Mahal painted on his back, while his face bore the red ribbon, he went around the city’s landscape on his motorbike for two hours, spreading the crucial message: ‘Let’s ensure that Taj Mahal gets into the seven wonders of the world list, but let’s also ensure the next generation lives to see the wonder. Join hands for HIV/AIDS awareness just as you would have joined hands all over the world to vote for Taj Mahal’s entry into the coveted list”.

Gaurav started his ride from the Commonwealth Youth Programme Asia Centre and went around Panjab University and the markets attracting many curious glances.

“To be noticed these days, one has to be innovative. Messages given in a usual manner fail to create an impact” he said.

This is not the first time Gaurav has come up with something innovative to spread a message on social issues. Earlier this year he painted his car with messages on AIDS awareness and had driven all over the neighbouring states.

“The message I want to give is that for seeing the Taj Mahal, people need to be aware of AIDS. It takes a single person to start a movement. I am sure that many people would want to join me” he said.

Regional Director of the Commonwealth Youth Programme, Raj K Mishra said “the primary target population for our awareness programmes is the young people of the country as they are more prone to infections. So we seek to train youth ambassadors, who take the message further” he said.

To find out more about becoming a Commonwealth Youth Ambassador for Positive Living please contact:

Africa
Marian Kpakpah
MKpakpah@cypafrica.org.zm

Asia
Hassan Shifau
hassan@cypasia.net

Caribbean
Dwynette Eversley
deversley@cypcaribbean.org

Pacific
Sushill Ram
sushil.ram@cypsp.org.sb

Useful Links
Health
http://www.thecommonwealth.org/Internal/34041/hiv_aids/