Lahore, A five-day poster exhibition titled “Qadam Barhao, Dengue Mukao” has kicked off at the Government College University Lahore Minhas Art Gallery under the auspices of Punjab Council of Arts (PCA) with an aim to raise awareness among students and teachers about prevention against dengue. GCU Dean Faculty of Science and Technology Prof. Dr. Ikramul Haq inaugurated the exhibition featuring 37 selected posters by amateur artists of various educational institutions from all over the country including COMSATS Islamabad, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan and Faisalabad Institute of Fashion and Design.

Addressing the poster exhibition, Punjab Council of Arts Executive Director Syed Tahir Hamdani said that art unlocks our imagination and compel us to focus and think. He said that he is highly impressed by the creativity of students especially by the catchy posters’ headlines like “Wanted Dead!”, “if you spare him, he will not spare you”, “Fight the Bite” and “If they breed, you will bleed”.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Dr. Ikramul Haq laid a stress on indigenous research on biological control of dengue mosquito, saying that fumigation and sprays are not the permanent solutions. He said that GCU Zoology Department under the guidance of noted zoologist Prof. Dr. Nusrat Jahan is working on "biocontrol" which is a method to use natural enemies to manage and kill mosquito populations with a minimum risk to humans and the environment.

However, Prof. Ikram said, care is best cure until researchers develop methods to get rid dengue virus. He also appreciated the artwork of students, saying such exhibitions play vital role in raising awareness about prevention against dengue.

People from all walks of life watch the exhibition on Wednesday. It will remain open till January 23, 2011.