Educating pilgrims about AIDS

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Educating pilgrims about AIDS

29 Jan 2009, 1949 hrs IST, Mrigank Tiwari, TNN

ALLAHABAD: `Ham rahenge to dharm rahega, hum nahin to dharm nahin',

(existence of religion is synonymous with the existence of human

lives) is the

catchphrase of a group of volunteers of a social outfit Prayagraj

Seva Samiti which has taken upon the mantles of educating the

multitudes visiting the Magh Mela about the evils of the Aquired

Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and persuade them to desist from

using polythene in their endeavour to keep the river pollution free.

" Undertaking such a signature campaign in the Sangam area on the

occasion of Magh Mela would definitely have reverberations throughout

the country in the backdrop of the fact that the annual Magh Mela is

a reflection of Mini India, " said convenor Teerthraj Pandey while

talking to TOI.

He added that AIDS was among the major threats for the growth of the

country apart from the problem of terrorism and increasing pollution.

With regards to AIDS there is a general perception among different

sections of society that government schemes and resources are not

reaching the common man who is absolutely clueless about this dreaded

disease.

" But the question arises that what was the response of the people

towards this campaign? Very encouraging as on the very first day more

than a thousand people expressed their faith and support towards the

cause of the outfit in the signature campaign undertaken by

volunteers in the Mela area, " Pandey said.

He added that it was very surprising to see that a large number of

people including the rural folks sought information on the causes and

prevention of AIDS apart from agreeing to desist from using polythene

in the Mela area in future.

The significance of the annual Magh Mela and Ardh Kumbh and Maha

Kumbh organised on the banks of Sangam can be drawn from the fact

that millions gather from across the globe to seek salvation. Keeping

this in mind the Samiti has urged the government to declare

`Teerthraj Prayag'(head of all pilgrim spots) as a tourist place and

construct a domestic airport to cater to the huge rush of pilgrims

visiting the city.

Appreciating the intiative, chief medical officer (CMO) Dr PK Sinha

told TOI that all efforts undertaken in the above directions are

commendable and would go a long way in checking the rise of a dreaded

disease like AIDS.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Allahabad/Educating_pilgrims_about_

AIDS/articleshow/4048534.cms