Dancing at Navratra Rass Garba. for AIDS awareness.

[Guest guest]

Dear friends

Navratri Greeting from GSNP+!

As we all may aware that Navratri in Gujarat revelry and social cause have come

together. Rass –Garba (folk dance of Gujarat) is one of the grant yearly event

in Gujarat, in which all enthusiastically gathered and enjoyed the folk

songs/dance. Lots of organizers organize it to provide platform of community

gathering with religious fragrance.

This year Shree Jai Ambe Garba Mandal (one of the surat based garba organizer)

and GSNP+, Surat (Gujarat State Network for People Living with HIV/AIDS) have

joined hands and taking an initiative to create awareness on AIDS and other sex

related issues among the youth in this enthusiastic religious environment of

Navratra (14-10-04 to 23-10-04).

GSNP+ has set up a stall at Modern town road venue in Parvat Patia, Surat where

around 12 HIV positives (volunteers) provide free counseling on AIDS to garba

enthusiasts in HIV prone areas in city, and also distribute free condoms.

The entry of Garba grounds of Jai Ambe Garba Mandal was free on the first two

days. But from third day (16-10-04), organizers have decided to charge an entry

fee. The proceeds will be donated to GSNP+ for people living with HIV/AIDS. The

idea is to spread awareness about prevention of the disease and help people

affected by it. In this we are getting full support of local/national print and

electronic media to create mass awareness.

Officials shared that more then 500 people visit their stall seeking information

on prevention of HIV/AIDS. GSNP+ has published and distributing literature on

prevention of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD), AIDS, spreads causes and its

prevention. This has been welcome by many.

Nearly 500 visits to GSNP+ information stall. Many visitors even showed

willingness to assist the organization financially, some HIV positives also

motivated for positive living and shared that we first time aware about this

kind of information and support centre. Which really need for those positives

that are facing abuse in society, who are living in dark with lots of myths and

misconcepts. Through this kind of initiate we are trying to create an

environmental to assist people get more information on AIDS prevention and seek

the organization’s support/guidance/counseling.

We also welcome your innovative ideas / suggestions for this kind of rapid,

effective and cost effective awareness generation.

With best wishes

Mr. Umesh Patel (President) M- 9879083865

Ms. Deksha Patel (G. Secretary) M-9825750980

and GSNP+ team

GSNP+, Room No. – 35,

SMIMER Hospital, Near Sahara Darwaja

Surat-395003 (Guj.)

Tel.: +91 – 261 – 5594700

E-mail: gsnpplus@...