Shankaracharya Advocates AIDS Awareness

[Guest guest]

Shankaracharya Advocates AIDS Awareness

Patna: June 27, 2008

During a special discourse organized by Regional AIDS Training Center and Network in India (RATNEI), International Health Organization and Public Awareness for Healthful Living (PAHAL) in Patna on Friday, Puripeethadishwar Shankaracharyaji Maharaj stressed on the disciplined life based on Hindu doctrine to stop the spread of AIDS. At the Dadi Maa Mandir on Bank Road, the Shankaracharya said that with ever-increasing pressure on traditional social institutions like marriages, diseases like HIV/AIDS were on rise.He also called for eschewing discrimination and attaching stigma to people affected by HIV/AIDS. Chief guest and PHED Minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey, in his speech, said that the government had decided to extend free HIV testing facilities at primary health centers while also offering rehabilitation for the AIDS patients. Noted physician and Medical Director of the RATNEI Dr. Diwakar Tejaswi welcomed the guests and discussed the impact of AIDS on global, national, and local levels. Quoting from UNAIDS, Dr. Tejaswi enunciated the importance of involving religious leaders in fight against HIV AIDS. Bihar State AIDS Control Society (BSACS) Project Director H. N. Jha spoke about the activities undertaken by BSACS in HIV/AIDS Control.Anand Dwivedi of PAHAL proposed vote of thanks while the RATNEI Program Coordinator Neelima Gupta conducted the program.Among others who were present on the occasion included UNAIDS State Program Officer, C. K. Mishra, Dr. K. K. Sharan, Dr. Mrs. Kiran Sharan, B. K. Sinha of IHO, and Amresh Sinha of HPWS.