Re: International AIDS Candlelight Memorial in Patna

[Guest guest]

Patna MAY 20: 200 marchers including two representatives of Calcutta NGO

" Integration " marched through the streets of Patna to draw attention to the

spread of AIDS through Bihar. AIDS Candlelight Memorial was observed in the

city by Advocacy for Alternatives, Sexuality, Reproductive Health and AIDS

in collaboration with Kurji Holy family Hospital. A number of organisations

supported the observance like State bank of India, Round Table 91, Punjab

National Bank. The State AIDS Society was also represented.

Later, a cultural programme was organised at Bharatiya Nritya Kala Mandir,

in which AIDS related readings and poetry, as well as cultural items by the

nurses of KHFH and members of the All India Anglo Indian Association

featured. The highlight of the programme was the santoor recital from

Indrajit Mazumdar with Dr Shyam Mohan on the tabla, but 19 year old

Umashankar Prasad stole the show.

Sister Joan, Administrator of Kurji Holy Family Hospital, while recognising

the dangers that HIV poses for health and medical personnel, called for a

more humane and understanding treatment of HIV positive people.

Dr Dilip Sen, in his keynote address called upon one and all to understand

the various issues surrounding HIV, and called for accurate reporting of HIV

related figures.

LIVE AID announced. GM telephones Mr Jagannath Bhakta announced the start of

a new person to person counselling service for people with questions about

HIV/AIDS management, and related issues. The telephone service has been a

donation by youth who earned money for the phone installation through

participating in the Pulse Polio programme.

Tabler Naren Hirani. Chairman of Patliputra Round Table 91 underlined his

organisations support to the cause and said that AIDs, being a deadly

disease is capable of being controlled to a certain extent, and creating

awareness among people is more important at the moment. He said that it was

a privilege for Patliputra Round Table 91 to be associated with AASRA.

Pawan Dhall, secretary of Integration, a Calcutta NGO working on sexuality

and HIV/AIDS among marginalized populations and men who have sex with men,

said that Integration joined the march to express solidarity with AASRA,

the only social organisation in Bihar to advocate the rights and dignity of

people from alternative sexualities. It is only when society recognises and

accepts 'alternative people and lifestyles' that a pragmatic AIDS management

programme can be developed.

CANDLELIGHT PROCESSION: 500 red candles were carried in procession from

Bharatiya Nritya Kala Mandir towads JP Golambar. The short ceremony at the

JP statue commemorated those who had died of HIV/AIDS. The ceremony was

inaugurated by eminent surgeon Dr. Hai.

RICKSHAW RALLY MARKS AIDS CANDLELIGHT MEMORIAL

Patna 19 May: Every day a new person tests positive for HIV, and the

non-acceptance of Bihar government sponsored AIDS agencies of ground reality

is like hiding one's head in the sand and thinking that the hungry lion will

go away. The educated teenagers of Bihar have enough common sense to

understand the reality of the ground conditions, and it is only the active

participation of youth in HIV related programmes that will carry the

campaign against HIV/AIDS forward, AASRA Youth Co-ordinator Birendra Soni, a

student of BN College, said, welcoming over 50 rickshaw pullers to the

Candlelight memorial AIDS awareness rally.

AIDS affects the everyone, and the working class people: rickshaw wallahs,

drivers, and daily labourers are also at risk and must know about ways in

which to minimise the HIV threat. People with HIV have the same rights as

any other citizen and they must have access to good care, and a life of

dignity. The 1099 telephone service has been set up to give personalised

attention to all issues surrounding HIV: gender crisis, sexual orientation,

information about services. Tips on home care of HIV patients, support

groups for sexuality minorities and HIV Positive people, he said.

The AASRA YUVA MANCH performed a street play about the discrimination faced

by HIV positive people. Dr L.B Singh From Kruji Holy family Hospital

addressed the gathering on AIDS and told the rickshaw pullers about the

syndrome in simple language.Director of Kurji Holy Family Community Health

Centre, Sister MMS, inaugurated the event.

Children from the AASRA House of Children sat in the rickshaws which

travelled towards Holy Family Hospital and distributed flyers announcing the

Sexual Health programme of Ministry of Health.

The event was followed by an evening all religious prayer meeting at Dengel

Hall ( KHFH ) more than three hundred people were participated . AASRA

chief co - ordinator Mr. Krishner lit the lamp with Sr. Jhon (KHFH)

Director. Mrs. Vandna Nair introduced 18th International AIDS candlelight

Memorial.