Death Squad from Namchi : Sikkim scores in AIDS war with music

Gangtok, Feb. 13.TT: The three-month-long campaign to create an awareness of HIV/AIDS and drug abuse across Sikkim has concluded with the grand finale of a music contest.

Gangtok-based band Nightmares was adjudged the best in the Red Ribbon Super Band contest held at Tashi Namgyal Academy ground here yesterday.

The contest was part of the Red Fest campaign that was being conducted by the Sikkim State AIDS Control Society since November 1.

The youths were the target audience of the campaign and the organisers cashed in on music and football, the two popular interests of the younger generation, to spread the message on AIDS and substance abuse.

Sixty-four bands had participated in the music contest held across the state and five of them made it to the grand finale. The finalists were Damagera, Juke Box, Fuzzy Logic, Nightmares — all from Gangtok — and Death Squad from Namchi in South district.

Winner, Nightmares, took home Rs 1 lakh, while runner-up Damagera received Rs 50,000. The Namchi band came third and went home with Rs 30,000. The results were based on the compilation of votes by audience (20 per cent) and marks given by judges (80 per cent).

Braving the cold weather and overcast skies, youths started gathering at the TNA ground from 2pm to witness the performances. Four guest bands, including Lou Majaw from Shillong, and five teams which could not reach the final played initially. It was 7pm by the time the grand finale had started.

As the bands regaled the crowd with their scores, the organisers peppered the show with messages on HIV-AIDS and substance abuse.

SSACS project director Uttam Pradhan said the organisers were overwhelmed by the participation of a large number of bands in the music contest. “The response from music lovers has been phenomenal with 64 bands taking part in the contest. I never thought that there were so many bands in Sikkim and the campaign has been successful from the participation angle and level of enthusiasm.”

Pradhan said Sikkim had abundant talents in music, which was the best method to spread awareness of AIDS and substance abuse.