WAKE UP PUNE to support people living with HIV

[Guest guest]

Stage show and candlelight vigil help WAKE UP PUNE to support people living with

HIV

" Aaiye, poori duniya ke saath sur mein sur milakar gayein… HIV positive logon ke

saath haath se haath milaakar chalein. " [Let's all come together and join hands

with people living with HIV.]

That was the message delivered by Indian Idol winner Abhijeet Sawant to a crowd

of thousands assembled at MG Road Walking Plaza on Sunday evening, gathered for

a rally, a stage show and a candlelight vigil organised by the Wake Up Pune

HIV/AIDS awareness campaign to show support for those living with and affected

by HIV.

" Aur hamesha yaad rakhe, HIV/AIDS ki is jung main [always remember in the fight

against HIV/AIDS]… Never give up, never forget! " added fellow Indian Idol star

Amit Sana.

The spectacular show was the culmination of a week of events held in Pune to

mark Global AIDS Week of Action 2008 (18-25 May). The week started on 18 May

with special outdoor awareness events at Mariplex Mall and INOX Cineplex. These

were followed by a 'Positive Living and Sharing' workshop on 20 May and a rally

on 22 May to support and advocate the parliamentary HIV/AIDS Bill.

However, the crowning event was saved for Sunday.

The MG Road crowd was treated to a varied programme, featuring performances from

Abhijeet Sawant (Indian Idol winner), Amit Sana (Indian Idol finalist) and

Himani Kapoor (Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2005 finalist). There were further

musical performances from Pune-based band H.I.V. and ish band Herman Death

Willy Tail, who performed a song written specially for the Wake Up Pune

campaign.

The key message? BE HIV POSITIVE. That means:

• Positive about Education – educating ourselves and others about HIV and AIDS

• Positive about Awareness – raising awareness in our wider community

• Positive about Support – reaching out to people living with and affected by

HIV and AIDS

Dance was also on the agenda, with a dance drama themed on 'Stigma and

Discrimination' from Priya Joshi and her troupe, with children from the DISHA

and Sweekar projects also performing dances to great acclaim from the lively MG

Road crowd.

There were also short skits such as mock telephone conversations addressing

issues relating to HIV/AIDS, stigma and discrimination (organised by Muktaa

HIV/AIDS Helpline and Human Rights Advocate Mr. Asim Sarode). Several guest

speakers shared their experiences about living with HIV, and a Wake Up Pune

kiosk was set up, staffed by counsellors available to give information about

HIV/AIDS and the campaign.

Perhaps most importantly, the Candlelight Vigil was observed impeccably. Each

member of the audience lit a candle and took a moment to remember all who have

died from AIDS-related illnesses.

" We're delighted that so many people came together today and observed the

Vigil, " Vandana Apte, from Satyam Foundation (a Wake Up Pune member). " We've got

a long fight ahead to tackle the stigma and discrimination faced by people

living with HIV, but Punekars have shown today that they're willing to be part

of that effort. "

The evening had started at 6pm with twin rallies from Golibar Maidan (led by PCI

India) and Sassoon Hospital (led by CYDA). The rallies converged at MG Road

Walking Plaza in time for the stage show. Representatives from NGOs and civil

society joined the rallies, and activities and games were conducted along the

march routes.

Concluding the evening, Guest of Honour Mr. Bhagwan Wayal (President, Congress

Sports Committee) reaffirmed the pledge he gave at last year's event, promising

to tackle HIV, educate youth and prevent discrimination. He confirmed: " We will

not stigmatise people infected with HIV. We will help them to live a healthy and

positive life. We will strive to make our city of Pune a place where nobody will

die due to stigma about HIV and AIDS. "

http://www.wakeuppune.org/site/index.php/news/84/65

--

Hans Billimoria

Volunteer Coordinator

Deep Griha Society

13 Tadiwala Road

Pune 411 001

Maharashtra, INDIA

+ 91 20 26124382 (Office)

+ 91 9823599274 (Mob)

deepgriha@...

www.deepgriha.org

www.wakeuppune.org

[Guest guest]

Dear all,

/message/8857

Great efforts by all the people involved with " Wake up Pune " . i am sure it is

going to make the required impact if young & nbsp;celebrity like Abhijit Sawant,

Amit Sana and others & nbsp;whom the youth identify with join the fight against

HIV-AIDS.

Mumbai and Navi Mumbai & nbsp;must take inspiration from the successful mass

public involvement program at Pune. Such events can create awareness through fun

and definitely contribute to reduce the stigma and discrimination due to it.

Divya

Divya Mithel

e-mail: <d_mithel@...>