The Red Ribbon Express project was flagged off on World AIDS Day (December 1, 2009). The project is being implemented by the National AIDS Control Organization in collaboration with the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, the National rural Health Mission, the Ministry of Railways, UNICEF and other stakeholders. This year the theme of the World AIDS Day is 'Universal Access And Human Rights'. The eight coach train will stop at 152 stations covering 22 states in its year long journey.