Removing stigma and discrimination on Independence Day.

[Guest guest]

Dear Friends,

Gujarat State Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (GSNP+) is the state level

network of people living with HIV/AIDS. Which was established o n 6th February

2003 by 7 people living with HIV in Surat district and now having its presence

in 24 districts of Gujarat.

In Gujarat acceptance to people living with HIV/AIDS is increasing day by day.

Especially after formation of GSNP+ and with committed efforts by Gujarat State

AIDS Control Society and partner NGOs. As the network widen its services to the

larger group of people living with HIV/AIDS cases of discrimination also comes

out. Some incidents happens which indicate that still lot more work to be done

towards the removing stigma and discrimination completely.

GSNP+ with the support of GSACS organized awareness campaign in the capital of

Gujarat (i.e. Gandhinagar) on the 60th Independence Day of India. In the program

following activities were organized,

- Poster Exhibition

- IEC Distribution

- Parasailing

Through the program it was tried to delivered message that people living with

HIV/AIDS is capable of doing all the activities that others are doing. Helipad

ground is the place where the celebration of the Independence Day organize every

year. At that time lots of public remains present there and performs various

acts after ‘DHVAJ VANDAN’. So, during the program GSNP+ become able to pass the

message to the mass.

To make the program successful 100 PLHIVs from all the districts of Gujarat

remained present. Dr. D.M. Saxena, Adl. Project Director, GSACS remained as a

chief guest of the program. Also, Dr. Rajesh Gopal (Dept. Director, GSACS), Mr.

Virat Nagar (Project Officer, PSU, Ahmedabad), Mr. Sanjay Jain (Project Officer,

PSU, Ahmedabad were remained present as a guest in the program.

Civil Aviation Department Govt, of Gujarat, NCC Ahmedabad, Advantage Services

Ahmedabad, etc. also provided their kind cooperation for the organizing whole

program.

Jitendra M. Mehta,

Training & MIS Officer,

GSNP+

e-mail: <jitu_16nov@...>