Let's not make it just another World AIDS Day
Jogesh Maibam *
29th International AIDS Candlelight Memorial day by MNP+ at MDU hall, Imphal :: May 20 2012
Pix - Banti Phurailatpam
It won't be wrong to say that many people irrespective of working or not working in the field of HIV/AIDS in Manipur including the Govt. has been saying or rather feeling this year's theme "Working Together for an AIDS-Free Generation" or bringing about a Collective response for an AIDS free Manipur for a quite long time and is not a new thing for us. The possible reasons for occurring these feelings or thoughts is because of the nature of the epidemic.
The problem is how we go for working together.
Why we could not work together may have various reasons. The common obvious reason may be because of the money involved in responding to the issue.
Sadly, people are also made to think that working in the field of HIV/AIDS gets or are supposed to get abundant amount of money and fails to consciously feel the need of taking responsibility in fighting or responding the issue or in another word save ourselves and future from HIV/AIDS.
On the other hand, the competent authority fails to create a space for peoples' participation in programme implementation. This situation makes the people to perceive that the issue of HIV/AIDS is for some sections of the society.
World AIDS Day comes and goes with certain commitments, hopes & visions.
The observance may have been meaningful and purposeful to certain parts of the glove but here in Manipur, the commitments that we are going to take or have taken are hard to materialize though there is enough human resource and funds.
The reason - God or Everyone Knows! One of the reasons may be inconsideration of specific needs by NACO and also failing to pursue its needs by the State.
To our belief a plant is fruitful only when the land is fertile. Likewise the goal of Free AIDS Manipur or Working Together for an AIDS free Generation will be able to materialize only when the related authorities & its associated sections becomes reliable or trustworthy to the people.
Otherwise it will be just another World AIDS Day.
Last but not the least, letting Media and Civil Stake Holders who does not take funds or implement projects get involved in monitoring and evaluation components by the related authority could be a step towards materializing this year's theme.
Thank you.
* Jogesh Maibam ( General Secretary, USER Manipur) wrote this article for Hueiyen Lanpao (English Edition)
This article was posted on December 03, 2012
* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.