TCI organized Trucker's Utsav to mark World AIDS Day

25000 truckers participated in the educative programme across nation

Transport Corporation of India Foundation (TCIF), the social arm of Transport Corporation of India Ltd. - India’s leading integrated supply chain and logistics solutions provider, organised a nationwide “Trucker’s Utsav” simultaneously at 15 locations across the country on November 29. The activity was organised under a national HIV / AIDS prevention program for long distance truck drivers and helpers called “Project Kavach” which is an endeavour to arrest the spread of AIDS amongst the trucking community. The Utsav saw participation from over 25000 truckers who vowed to fight against HIV/AIDS by practising safe sex.

‘Trucker’s Utsav’, an infotainment event, forms one of the core activities of ‘Project Kavach’ as it acts as catalyst for communicating behavior change messages to sizable groups in a fun, peer-supportive context. This is done through the medium of concert, street plays, songs dance, games quizzes and special award for audience participation. The Utsav had various multi-specialty health camps and parallel competitive events like Joshilay Janbaaz (Arm Wrestling), Jaanbaaz Khiladi (Bucket Lifting), Sangeet Samrat (Singing Competition), Chamakte Sitare (Best Maintained Truck) took place.

Speaking on the initiative, Mr. Shekhar, Project Director, TCIF said, “The Trucker’s Utsav is an annual feature of TCIF that provides a platform to bring thousands of truckers together to spread out the message on prevention of HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases in an interesting, entertaining and stimulating way. We realize that owing to the nature of the work of the truckers, they are highly vulnerable to AIDS and other related diseases. This initiative is targeted at taking care of both their physical as well as mental health. To mark the celebrations of World AIDS day, December 1, this year we have chosen 29th November for the Utsav and organised it simultaneously at 15 locations across India.”

There are about 5 million truckers in India and out of these around 2 million ply on long-distance routes. These long-distance truckers are more vulnerable to sexually transmitted diseases, the reason being long absences from home, tough working conditions, young and sexually active coupled with low self esteem and stigma and discrimination. The overall prevalence of HIV/AIDS among long-distance truckers has been reported to be 4.6% as against 0.36% among general population.

An initiative funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Project Kavach is implementing a comprehensive integrated package on Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) treatment; Behaviour Change Communications (BCC), Condom promotion, and counselling amongst truckers, through strategically located interventions at major trucking halt points known as Khushi Clinics, spanning 9 states along national highways of the country.

About Group TCI:
Group TCI, with revenues of over Rs.1500 crores, (apprx $316 mn USD) is India's largest integrated supply chain and logistics solutions provider. TCI group has an extensive network of over 1200 company owned offices, with expertise developed over 5 decades and a team of 6500 trained employees. With its customer-centric approach, world class resources, State-of-Art technology and professional management, the group follows strong corporate governance and is committed to value creation for its stakeholders and social responsibilities. TCI was the first to launch several solutions in the logistics field. Its product offering includes:

TCI Freight:
India’s leading surface transport entity. This division is fully equipped to provide total transport solutions for cargo of any dimension or product segment. It transports cargo on FTL (Full truck load) / LTL (Less than truck load) / Small packages and consignments/ Over Dimensional cargo.

TCI XPS:
A leading express distribution specialist, it offers a single window door-to-door & time definite solution for customers’ express requirements. It services 13000 locations in India and 200 countries abroad.

TCI Supply Chain Solutions:
TCI SCS is a single window enabler of integrated supply chain solutions right from conceptualization and designing the logistics network to actual implementation. The core service offerings are Supply Chain Consultancy, Inbound Logistics, Warehousing/ Distribution Centre Management & Outbound Logistics.

TCI Global: 
The global business division of TCI provides end-to-end logistics solutions across boundaries. TCI Global has set up offices in Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Thailand, China, Germany, Mauritius, and Netherlands. It is planning to expand its horizon of services to other parts of the world as well. TCI Global offers freight forwarding & customs clearance activities from all its domestic and international offices. TCI Global caters to specific industry verticals such as Pharma & Temp control, Commodity (Agri & Non Agri) Retail & FMCG, Auto & Project Cargo.

TCI Seaways:
TCI Seaways has well equipped ships in its fleet and caters to the coastal cargo requirements for transporting container and bulk cargo.

TCI Foundation:
As the group’s social arm, TCIF fulfils corporate social responsibility and runs charitable hospitals and schools for the under-privileged in the rural areas. It has also collaborated with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation & National Aids Control Organization to run programs on AIDS interventions and education among the vulnerable trucking community.