PM’s address to students and youth parliament session on HIV/AIDS

[Guest guest]

PM's address to students and youth parliament session on HIV/AIDS

NATIONAL STUDENTS AND YOUTH PARLIAMENT SPECIAL SESSION ON HIV/AIDS

PRIME MINISTER'S ADDRESS. 07.11.2004

The following is the text of the Prime Minister's address at the

National Students and Youth Parliament Special Session on HIV/AIDS

here today:

" At the outset, I would like to greet the youth leaders from all over

the country who have assembled to stand up to one of the biggest

public health challenges of our times – HIV and AIDS.

By being here today, you have emphatically conveyed your preparedness

to take up the responsibility of fighting the menace now and in

future. The manner of your coming together confirms that India's

democratic institutions provide the best means to fight the worst of

the threats.

I do hope that the young women and men here would prove energetic and

vibrant partners in stopping the transmission of HIV and ameliorating

the situation of those living with HIV/AIDS.

Let me also congratulate the convener and Members of Parliamentary

Forum on HIV/AIDS for their initiative to hold the Special Session of

National Students and Youth Parliament on HIV/AIDS. The Parliamentary

Forum symbolizes the nationwide concern and seriousness that

Parliamentarians, cutting across party lines, attach to the fight

against HIV/AIDS. This Forum is unique not only by virtue of its

composition, but also in providing leadership and political commitment

in this critical area of national endeavour.

From one reported HIV case in 1986, the number of HIV positive people

in India has already crossed the horrendous fifty lakh mark. HIV/AIDS

is no longer just a public health issue, but it has become one of the

most serious socio-economic and developmental concerns. If not

checked, it can hurt our ambitions in the areas of growth and

development very severely. Though HIV/AIDS can affect everyone, it is

the poor, the marginalized populations, the women, and the young

people who are most vulnerable. We have no choice but to act, and act

with firmness, with urgency and with utmost seriousness.

My Government is committed to substantially strengthen the national

AIDS control efforts. This forms a part of the Common Minimum

Programme. Different ministries have joined hands in evolving a

National Action Plan for spreading awareness and improving access to

services related to HIV/AIDS. However, these efforts will require more

and more partners and more and more active participants from all

sections of the society to create a massive and truly people's movement.

In this context, it is the young people who are our greatest hope. In

countries where the spread of HIV is declining – it is primarily

because young people are learning to protect themselves from getting

infected with HIV. This Special Session of National Students and Youth

Parliament is, therefore, of enormous significance as it places the

task of combating HIV/AIDS right in the hands of our young people.

Every day, nearly 6,000 young people in the world get infected with

HIV simply because they lack information, knowledge and necessary

skills to protect themselves. According to an estimate by the National

AIDS Control Organisation, 35% of reported AIDS cases in our own

country are in the 15-24 age group.

Studies have shown that a large number of young people have limited

idea on how HIV/AIDS is transmitted and how to protect themselves from

HIV infection. While young women are biologically more vulnerable,

they have lesser opportunities to access information on HIV and have

still less power to control their sexual lives. Early marriage poses

special risks to young people, particularly to women.

In the absence of a preventive vaccine against HIV infection, the

social vaccine of `Education and Awareness' is the only effective

method of prevention. We will have to put an end to the three `Ss':

Silence, Stigma and Shame, associated with HIV/AIDS and by making

available to the youth what they need most - information, knowledge

and services. Young people can protect themselves only if they have

proper and accurate information about HIV/AIDS. For instance,

everyday, nearly 6,000 young people in the world get infected with HIV

simply because they lack information, knowledge and skills to protect

themselves.

As I already mentioned, according to an estimate by the National AIDS

Control Organization, 35% of reported AIDS cases in the country are in

the 15-24 age group.

Therefore, reaching youngsters before they become sexually active, so

that they can lay the foundations of a responsible lifestyle for the

future. Adults, including parents, teachers, counselors, social

workers and religious leaders have to work together with the young

people to help them gain knowledge and skills and change their attitudes.

People infected with HIV need society's support and protection. They

are not a threat to society. They have a right to live a life with

dignity, and to pursue their occupations without losing their earning

power. It is only when we succeed in removing the stigma associated

with HIV/AIDS, and the misconceptions surrounding it, that we can

reverse the trend of rising infections in this country.

It is my sincere hope that each one of you at this important

Parliament will become a beacon of hope for thousands of others and

act as role model. The format of your discussions gives you a chance

to understand the functioning of the other Parliament not far from

here, where myself and fellow MPs transact legislative business round

the year. In your Parliament though the treasury and the opposition

may not find any difference over the policy towards HIV/AIDS; but this

I hope does not take away from the excitement for working to meet this

challenge. I am happy to note that the Parliamentary Forum has worked

out plans to take the process forward to state and district levels.

We are also happy that we are not alone in this battle against

HIV/AIDS. We have the active support of several international

organizations and bilateral funding agencies. For instance, there was

great appreciation at the last AIDS Summit in Bangkok, at which the

Congress President, Smt Gandhiji, had represented India. I am

extremely grateful to ji for her commitment to this cause.

Before I conclude, I would like to give three messages to every young

girl and boy sitting before me in this special session on HIV/AIDS.

o First, Lead by example and lead from the front. Your behaviour needs

to change first, before you seek behaviour changes in others.

o Second, inform your friends and empower them, so that they can make

safe choices and correct behaviour.

o Third, promise to uphold the dignity of every Indian living with HIV

in our country by love, affection, and social support.

I have no doubt that the young but determined faces that I see in this

hall will change the future course of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in India.

We shall overcome, we shall prevail.

I extend by best wishes for the success of this event. "

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