An anthem for people living with HIV/AIDS

[Guest guest]

An anthem for people living with HIV/AIDS

Staff Reporter

To create awareness of the issue

— Photo: K. Pichumani Motivational tool: APAC project director B.Chandra Mohan (right) with music director Aadithyan at the launch of the `HIV/AIDS Anthem' in Chennai on Tuesday.

CHENNAI: People living with HIV/AIDS and those creating awareness of the infection now have an anthem of their own. An album titled `HIV/AIDS Anthem', brought out on Tuesday, aims to garner community support to create awareness of the issue.

The concept was developed in Tamil and English by the Indian Community Welfare Organisation (ICWO), a non-governmental organisation working for AIDS prevention with the support of the AIDS Prevention and Control (APAC) Project.

The opening lines of the English song was played, during which the audience holding lit candles expressed its solidarity to the cause.

ICWO secretary A.J. Hariharan said the concept was evolved to remove the stigma associated with HIV/AIDSThe anthem, which runs for 3 minutes and 33 seconds in Tamil and 2 minutes and 55 seconds in English, can be played at every workshop, meeting or peer convention associated with HIV/AIDS, he added.CD released

Releasing the CDs, APAC project director B. Chandra Mohan said the prevalence rate of AIDS in the State had fallen to 0.36 per cent from 1.13 per cent. APAC has reached out to about 27,000 sex workers and six lakh truckers, thanks to partnerships forged with NGOs. Such songs would help various agencies trying to curb the spread of the disease, Mr. Chandra Mohan said.

Music director Aadithyan and lyricist Kruthiya received the first copy of the CD. Mr. Aadithyan, who composed the songs, termed it a memorable experience as the effort was made to create awareness of HIV/AIDS.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/11/01/stories/2007110161180600.htm