Gere in Mumbai to spread AIDS awareness

January 11, 2005

Sunday, January 9, 2005: (Mumbai):

Hollywood's AIDS campaigner Gere is back in Mumbai, this time

to meet contestants of the reality show Indian Idol and rope them into

a drive against AIDS.

This disease has already affected 5.1 million Indians.

" The first thing we talked about is making it personal. If you don't

make it personal, you don't have the energy to do anything. Later on

we will be taking them to a clinic to meet patients. These are real

people with real concerns, " said Gere.

As part of his $2.4 million Heroes Project, the actor discussed

innovative ways to spread awareness - not just through media

promotions but also through arts and music.

''This partnership can have a major effect on how the country deals

with HIV and AIDS and deals with all the myriad aspects of this

disease, " said Gere.

Many of the youngsters Gere met are from small towns and he is hoping

they will carry the message with them to places where talking about

safe sex and HIV is still taboo.

d+AIDS+awareness & id=3261

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