Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 1: In connection with the World AIDS Day, various programmes were organized by the Medical and Educational institutions besides social organizations across the State today.
J&K State AIDS Control Society, in collaboration with the Department of Health Services organized a mega awareness programme at Jia Pota Ghat, at the bank of river Chenab at Akhnoor today. Minister for Health and Horticulture Sham Lal was the chief guest. Several Government officials including Commissioner Food Safety and Drug Controller J&K Satish Gupta, SDM, N S Jamwal, BMO Akhnoor Dr Narinder Singh were present on the occasion. A large number of people of the area attended the programme.
While speaking on the occasion, minister called for launching a strong movement against HIV/AIDS with the active involvement of various stake-holders of the society. He said this incurable disease is consuming the lives of large number of people, irrespective of sex, age and class world wide. He said awarness is the key factor to keep away from this self invited disease and this can be done with the collective efforts. He said mass awareness throughout the year should continue for the welfare of the people.
Highlighting importance of the day, Mr Lal Singh the day is celebrated world-wide to renew our efforts to save the lives of lakhs of patients suffering from this dreaded disease. “The day reminds us of our duties towards the AIDS patients and we all should take a pledge this day to adopt a sympathetic and human approach towards such patients and encourage them to lead a normal life.’’
Dr Rakesh Khajuria Project Director, JKSACS and Dr T R Raina former HoD Blood Transfusion GMC Jammu, also addressed the gathering. A rally was also taken out in Akhnoor town in this connection today.
To commemorate the day, Government Hospital Sarwal Jammu displayed posters, banners and other awareness related material on AIDS and HIV on the walls of hospital today. Posters and models prepared by the students were displayed for the public and patients. The material providing information about AIDS and HIV was also distributed among the public. A free camp for drug addicts was also organized on the occasion.
The World AIDS Day this year is about “Getting to Zero, Zero new HIV inspections, Zero discrimination and Zero AIDS related deaths. Backed by United Nations, the Getting to Zero Campaign runs until 2015 and builds on last years successful world AIDS Day, ‘Light for Rights’ initiative encompassing a range of vital issues identified by key affected populations.
AIDS has killed more than 25 million people between 1981 and 2007 and an estimated 33.2 million people worldwide live with HIV as of 2007, making it one of the most destructive epidemics in recorded history. AIDS claimed 2 million lives in 2007 of which about 270,000 were children. The World AIDS Day-2012 theme is “ Getting to Zero”.
Meanwhile, Red Ribbon Club of Govt College for Women, Parade Jammu organized series of events to commemorate the day in collaboration with J&K State AIDS Control Society and Department of Heath and Medical Education. Principal of the College Dr Hemla Aggarwal was the guest of honour. An awareness lecture on HIV/AIDS epidemic in India, Risk factors, prevention and control was delivered by Dr Kavita Suri from Jammu University, Master Trainer on the subject. Red ribbons were released and candles lit by students to pay homage to the people who died of AIDS. Later, a ‘Nukad- Natak’ was performed by the students. A poster contest was held in which Ramneek Kour, Anjuman and Sapna stood first, second and third, respectively.
Govt Women College, Gandhinagar’s Red Ribbon Club organized an awarness rally to mark the occasion. The rally was flagged off by the Principal of the College Dr Kiran Bakshi by releasing the Red Ribbons in the air to make the general masses aware about the HIV/ AIDS. The rally started from the college premises, passed through Green Belt Park, Gole Market and culminated back in the college premises. The students were holding placards, banners and candles in their hands, depicting messages.
Govt MAM College, Jammu organized a symposium and poster making contest to mark the World AIDS Day. The programme was organised by Gandhian Studies Centre of the College under the guidance of Principal, Dr Ramesh Chander. He exhorted the students to educate themselves on AIDS so that they can spread social awareness for the prevention and cure of the same .Dr Twinkle Suri Director Gandhian Studies Centre also addressed the students.
Govt Degree College Rajouri organised an awareness rally under the guidance of Principal Dr Mushtaq Lone, Govt Degree College Bhaderwah’s Red Ribbon Club and NSS unit organized seminar under the supervision of Dr R K Raina Principal of the institution, Govt SPM Rajput Colege of Commerce organized a debate competition under the guidance of Prof P S Thakur, Govt Degree College Billawar organized awareness rally in the town under the supervision of Principal Dr B L Gupta while, Govt Degree College Bishnah organized a seminar to mark the day. MLA Bishnah Ashwani Sharma was the chief guest while Principal Prof Kalpana Kesar presided over the programme.
To commemorate the day, NSS unit of Dogra College of Education, Bari Brahamana organized poster making and slogan writing contest here today. The winners of the contests were given prizes by the Principal Dr Kiran Luthra. Model Institute of Education and Research B C Road Jammu organized a symposium on AIDS Control. It was organized by the NSS unit of the college under the guidance of Dr Adit Gupta, Jt Director MIER Group of Institutions, Dr Surinder Kour and Dr H R Shan.
Trikuta Degree College, Nardni (Raipur) organized two day workshop on AIDS prevention and cure. The workshop comprised of poster making, slogans writing contest and a seminar on the subject. A rally was also taken out by the students to create awareness in the society. Dr Roop Lal Chairman of the college Trust, Dr Gaytri Gupta, Principal and Dr Rajiv Gupta Programme Officer were also present.
KCS College of Education ( Women) organized a symposium, NSM College of Education students took out an awareness rally from Anand Nagar to Talab Tilloo, R K Degree College Vijaypur ( Samba) conducted awareness rally while NSS unit of Shivalik College organized a workshop under the theme “Love Life-Live Life & Nit Lust in Life’’.
Moravian Mission School, Leh observed the World AIDS Day on the theme ‘Getting to Zero’. Padamshri Dr Tsering Ladol was the chief guest while Dr Tsering Norboo, Dr Lobzang Tsewang, Moulana Omar Nadvi, Rinchen Angmo, E S Gergan and Padma Tashi were the other dignitaries present on the occasion.
The programme was organized in association with district AIDS Control Society and Health department.
AIDS awareness programme was also organized at District Police Lines Rajouri for the jawans today. It was organised by District AIDS Awareness Society in collaboration with the State Health Department. S P Rajouri Mubassir Latiffi who was chief guest and other Medical officers educated the jawans on AIDS.
Govt Girls High school, Katra organized a symposium to mark the day. CEO Reasi Tarsem Lal was the chief guest while Dr Harsh Sharma and Dr Neelu Sharma were the guests of honour. Besides the guest speakers, senior Headmaster Harish Dubey also spoke on the subject. The participating students/ winners were given prizes. May Fair Higher Secondary School Chand Nagar and High School Janipur marked the day by organizing symposium. Teachers and students deliberated on the subject.
Meanwhile, District Youth Congress activists Udhampur took out a rally in connection with awareness on AIDS. It was organized under the leadership of Sumeet Magotra senior DYC leader. A large number of students also joined the programme.
On the eve of World AIDS Day, Atman College of Education organised a Painting, Poster and Slogan Writing Competition, in which students participated actively. In the competition, Kiranjeet Kaur bagged first position, while Shahzad claimed second position. Bharat and Priyanka shared the third position, while consolation prize was presented to Nindiya. On the occasion, Vice Chairperson of the College Ranju Mahajan, Principal of the Atman College of Education and Atman Business School Gurdeep Kaur, Renu Sharma, Co-ordinator, Co-curricular Activities.
On the even of World AIDS Day, Handa College of Education and Tiny Tots Higher Secondary School organised slogan writing and poster making competitions to make the students aware about the menace of AIDS.
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