Marching for a cause--World AIDS Day

“The fight against HIV/AIDS requires leadership from all parts of government and society- and it needs to go right to the top. AIDS is far more than a health crisis. It is a threat to development itself.” Dr. O.P.Bhalla

Manav Rachna International University, Faridabad on the occasion of ‘World AIDS Day’ organized an Aids Awareness Camp and a walkathon to educate the masses and create awareness about HIV/AIDS among different age groups across Faridabad. The programme was focused on spreading awareness on HIV/AIDS in India. The walkathon which was organized to rekindle the spirit to fight against the global menace — AIDS, started at 9.00am from the MRIU campus.

The rally was flagged off by Dr. O.P.Bhalla, Chancellor, Manav Rachna International University, Faridabad.

More than 500 students along with faculties and representatives from around the city along with doctors and other prominent personalities from cultural and political fields and participated in the noble cause and reached out to more than 1000 people staying in Slums, shanty Towns and provided knowledge to them about the disease, necessary measures to overcome it.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. O.P.Bhalla said, “The youth are the future leaders and everything possible should be done to create awareness on HIV and AIDS. “The main aim about organizing such camp was to encourage community members, especially women and adolescents to come forward and discuss issues related to HIV/AIDS, to give information about existing VCCTCs and ICTCs to the public and to create awareness amongst the masses on HIV/AIDS to ensure a better living for them”, he further added.

Advances in science and medicine will have limited impact without changing the harmful laws and policies that drive people who are at risk away from HIV testing and prevention, and that make it hard for those who need treatment to get it. Laws in more than 160 countries criminalize specific groups or behaviors. These include laws targeting sex workers, drug users, men who have sex with men, and HIV exposure or transmission.

The laborers and slum people had an interactive session in which the doubts of children regarding their basic health issues and misuse of technology were cleared.

Mr. N.C.Wadhwa, Vice Chancellor, MRIU, said, “Started in 1988, World AIDS Day is not just about raising money, but also about increasing awareness, fighting prejudice and improving education. World AIDS Day is important in reminding people that HIV has not gone away, and that there are many things still to be done.”

“What is needed now are increased efforts to promote youth participation and commitment; more services aimed at youth; more parental involvement; more education and information, using schools and universities; more protection for girls, orphaned children and young women; and more partnerships with people with HIV and AIDS, and more such initiatives”, he further added.

According to United Nations, India has 5.7 million people affected by HIV or AIDS.

During the rally, Bhuwan Nagpal, Student of MRIU Said, “We through this event would begin to close the worldwide gap that exists in access to life-saving therapies that have improved and extended the lives of people.” We firmly acknowledge that our nation has a vital role to play in stemming this epidemic, which is stripping this planet of young and working people, parents and children, and leaving nations vulnerable to destabilization, violence, and even greater poverty and hunger.”

World AIDS Day is celebrated Dec. 1 each year to raise awareness, commemorate those who have died, and celebrate accomplishments such as increased access to treatment and preventive services.