Weeklong Observance on Occasion of the World AIDS Day Ended

[Guest guest]

Weeklong Observance on Occasion of the World AIDS Day Ended

To observe the World AIDS Day (i.e. 1st December), the BUTTERFLY: Nature Club of

India (BNCI) organized diverse type of activities with Industrialists, Job

Providers, Industrial Workers, People Living/Died with HIV/AIDS; their Families

and the migrant populations living in urban slums of Panchkula.

Today, in early morning of the World AIDS Day, an Open House was called at the

Labour Chowk (Indira-Rajiv Colony), Sector-17 Panchkula in which more than 400

Migrant Labourers participated. They have been addressed by Pinki H. Madaan

(President BNCI) and made them aware about the theme of this year i.e.

" Universal Access and Human Rights " . The industrial workers have been told that

there are many welfare measures under the constitution and States' Labour

Welfare Department/Boards are responsible for their implementation.

Talking about the vulnerability of transmission of HIV among industrial

labourers Dr. Avnish Jolly, Secretary (BNCI) shared that taking action against

HIV/AIDS is everyone's responsibility. We cannot let HIV/AIDS continue to ravage

peoples' lives, destroy families and become a burden on society. Today, we call

on the private sector, the business sector, the civil society and religious

communities to join together in the fight against HIV & AIDS.

On eve of the World AIDS Day, an Advocacy Meeting was organized People

living/died with HIV/AIDS and their families' members. Ms. Pinki H. Madaan and

Dr. Avnish Jolly, both advocated for their Rights and suggested them to adopt

`Safe Health Practices'. During interaction, it was observed that most of the

participants were not aware about their rights and safe health practices. The

People living with HIV & AIDS have been exhorted who encouraged the participants

to come forward and to fight for their rights in view of this year's theme.

Keeping in view the enthusiasm and low awareness of participants, the BNCI is

planning to organize large scale Advocacy Meetings in near future for capacity

building of the People living with HIV/AIDS.

On Sunday, exhorting the Industrialists and Job Providers in an Advocacy

Session, Pinki H. Madaan and Dr. Avnish Jolly said that if you starting care

about productivity losses in our country over the next periods you will become

the leader in industry's response to HIV & AIDS. If you care about India

becoming an economic power and assuming a leadership role in today's global

economy, you will commit to taking action to prevent HIV & AIDS in your own

workplace and in your own communities. By combining our resources, knowledge and

expertise together we can stem the tide of this epidemic and protect the

productivity of India and its citizens. These efforts will be helpful in

creating a strong foundation that is crucial for the success of what is certain

to be a long-term and hard-fought battle.

The Volunteers and Staff of the BNCI (Mr. Jagram Chaudhary, Rajaram Gupta, Veer

Bharati, Ramanand Ram, Karamvir Singh, Naresh Kumar and Manju) organized three

group meetings with vulnerable populations in Abhaypur, Buddanpur and Rajiv

Colony. During weeklong activities, approximately 1500 people have been made

aware about the HIV & AIDS in Panchkula. More than 2000 pieces of quality

condoms have been provided to the participants during weeklong different

sessions/meetings with Condom Demonstration by BNCI.

Dr. Avnish Jolly

e-mail: <avnishjolly@...>