Report of the candle light vigil

[Guest guest]

Dear friends,

The observation of the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial has just

been concluded in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.Thousands of people gathered

at Gandhi Park to attend the biggest grass event in the world. They

listened to folk music by Abhiana theatre and which was followed by the

" Candle Light Vigil " . Renowned film personality Adoor Gopala Krishnan and

Health Minister of Kerala Kadavoor Sivadasan jointly lighted a big candle

which was followed by the other guests and thousands of people. It was

ultimately a thousand people candles lighting together.

Mr. Subhash talked about the event that it is designed to honor the

memory of those lost to HIV/AIDS, show support for those living with

HIV/AIDS, raise awareness of HIV/AIDS, and mobilize community involvement

in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The Candle light Vigil was being observed as a joint venture of Department

of Health and Family Welfare (Government of Kerala), Care and Share

International, Foundation for Integrated Research in Mental Health (FIRM),

TDNP+ and SWFK.

Ghazal Evening by Shahabaz Aman attracted the crowd. He sung old

Malayalam and Hindi songs and ghazals

Other invitees took part included Mr.Gauridasan Nair(The

Hindu),J.Rajasekharan Nair(Savvy), Dr.P.K Sivaraman(Additional Health

Director), Dr.PrasannaKumar(Deputy Project Director,

KSACS),Dr.Madhavan(Additional Health Director and DMO),Mr.Aji

Divakar(SMA)Dr.Jayasree(FIRM)Adv. Arun Kumar and (Care and

Share International) Sundari Ravindran , Mini Sukumar and most of the

mainstream media representatives.Dr.Prasanna Kumar talked about the HIV/

AIDS services offered locally, and about the opportunities they have to

volunteer. The health Minister also addressed the audience.

Sincerely,

Subhash T.V

Event Coordinator- International AIDS Candlelight Memorial

INTERNATIONAL AIDS CANDLELIGHT MEMORIAL " : " CANDLE LIGHT VIGIL "

Co-ordination Committee Office, T.C 14/1514, Beatrice Mansion,

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. India-695 014

Tel: +91471-2324060, 2331667, and 9447389517

E-mail: <swfk@...>