Silent candle rally in Warangal Andhra Pradesh

[Guest guest]

Dear forum,

A silent candle rally was taken out in Warangal, Andhra Pradesh on

20-05-2007.

The rally was flagged off by Sri.Ponnala laxmaiah, the Major Irrigation Minister

for Government ofandhra Pradesh. The rally was led by Ms.Damayanthi, District

Collector Warangal. Ms.Soumya Mishra,

Superintendent of police; Ms.Swarna, Mayer, warangal Municipal corporation;

Ms.Danvanthi,chair person zilla Parishad Warangal;

Dr.Sampathy Raja Ram, Secretary, IRCS, Dr.Samba shiva Rao, state

secretary IMA, Prof.Seetaram, NGO,CBO, health providers, Nursing

students, police personnel, elected representatives and PLHIV

participated in the rally.

About500 members walked about 2 Km with candle in their hands.

The Candlelight Memorial Campaign involves all sectors of the local community

including NGOs, government, faith-based groups, and community members in the

fight against HIV/AIDS. From the beginning of this movement, the Memorial has

served as a forum to honor the memory of those lost to AIDS, show support for

those living with HIV/AIDS, raise awareness of the disease, and mobilize

individuals around a common goal of responding to the local impact of HIV/AIDS.

The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is a unique event that promotes

discussion, education, and action around HIV/AIDS with the following four

objectives:

a) Honor the memory of those lost to AIDS;

b)Show support for those living with HIV and AIDS;

c)Raise community awareness and decrease stigma related to HIV/AIDS; and

d) Mobilize community involvement in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

NARASIMHA SWAMY THAMATAM

e-mail: <tnswamy123@...>