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New Delhi, 1^st December 2015

World Aids day observed at indian institute of health

Inaugurating the World AIDS Day Observance at the Indian Institute of Health (IIH), Karmayogi His Humbleness Dr. Priya Ranjan Trivedi called upon the world citizenry for making them more aware regarding AIDS. He recalled that the World AIDS Day designated on December 1 every year since 1988, is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection, and mourning those who have died of the disease. He advised the Central / Federal / State / Provincial Governments and health officials, non-governmental organizations and individuals around the world to keep on observing the day by providing education on AIDS prevention and control.

Karmayogi His Humbleness Dr. Priya Ranjan Trivedi added that the World AIDS Day is one of the eight official global public health campaigns marked by the World Health Organization (WHO), along with World Health Day, World Blood Donor Day, World Immunization Week, World Tuberculosis Day, World No Tobacco Day, World Malaria Day and World Hepatitis Day.

Providing the statistical details regarding this deadly disease, he further added that as of 2013, AIDS has killed more than 36 million people worldwide (1981-2012), and an estimated 35.3 million people are living with HIV, making it one of the most important global public health issues in recorded history. Despite recent improved access to antiretroviral treatment in many regions of the world, the AIDS epidemic claims an estimated 2 million lives each year, of which about 270,000 are children.

Tracing the history and the background of the World AIDS Day he said that it  was first conceived in August 1987 by James W. Bunn and Thomas Netter, two public information officers for the Global Programme on AIDS at the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. Bunn and Netter took their idea to Dr. Jonathan Mann, Director of the Global Programme on AIDS (now known as UNAIDS). Dr. Mann liked the concept, approved it, and agreed with the recommendation that the first observance of World AIDS Day should be on December 1, 1988.  Critically examinee the themes selected for the World AIDS Day, Dr. Trivedi said that in its first two years, the theme of World AIDS Day focused on children and young people. While the choice of this theme was criticized at the time by some for ignoring the fact that people of all ages may become infected with HIV, the theme helped alleviate some of the stigma surrounding the disease and boost recognition of the problem as a family disease.

Karmayogi His Humbleness Dr. Priya Ranjan Trivedi being felicitated by Col. Keshav Gupta (Retd.)
on the occasion of the 2015 World AIDS Day on December 1, 2015 at the Indian Institute of Health,
A 14-15-16 Paryavaran Complex.

He also mentioned that the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) became operational in 1996, and it took over the planning and promotion of World AIDS Day. Rather than focus on a single day, UNAIDS created the World AIDS Campaign in 1997 to focus on year-round communications, prevention and education. In 2004, the World AIDS Campaign became an independent organization.

He was appreciative of the themes and campaigns organized as all the World AIDS Day campaigns focus on a specific theme, chosen following consultations with UNAIDS, WHO and a large number of grassroots, national and international agencies involved in the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS. As of 2008, each year's theme is chosen by the Global Steering Committee of the World AIDS Campaign (WAC).

For each World AIDS Day from 2005 through 2010, the theme was "Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise", designed to encourage political leaders to keep their commitment to achieve universal access to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care and support by the year 2010.

He was particularly describing the features of some of the themes of the World AIDS Day and in this connection he observed that as of 2012, the multi-year theme for World AIDS Day is "Getting to Zero: Zero new HIV infections. Zero deaths from AIDS-related illness. Zero discrimination." The US Federal theme for the year 2014 is "Focus, Partner, Achieve: An AIDS-Free Generation".

In his concluding remarks Dr. P R Trivedi opined that the themes selected for the World AIDS Day should not be limited to a single day but should be used year-round in international efforts to highlight HIV/AIDS awareness within the context of other major global events. He said that he still remembers all the themes right from 1988 to 2015 including 2015 : On the fast track to end AIDS, 2014 : Close the gap, 2013 : Zero Discrimination, 2012 :  Together we will end AIDS, 2011 : Getting to Zero, 2010 : Universal Access and Human Rights, 2009 : Universal Access and Human Rights, 2008 : Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise - Lead - Empower - Deliver, 2007 : Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise - Leadership, 2006 : Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise - Accountability, 2005 : Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise, 2004 : Women, Girls, HIV and AIDS, 2003 : Stigma and Discrimination, 2002 : Stigma and Discrimination, 2001 : I care. Do you?, 2000 : IDS: Men Make a Difference, 1999 : Listen, Learn, Live: World AIDS Campaign with Children & Young People, 1998 : Force for Change: World AIDS Campaign With Young People, 1997 : Children Living in a World with AIDS, 1996 : One World. One Hope., 1995 : Shared Rights, Shared Responsibilities, 1994 : AIDS and the Family, 1993 : Act, 1992 : Community Commitment, 1991 : Sharing the Challenge, 1990: Women and AIDS, 1989:Youth, 1988 : Communication.