Imphal, December 01: As done in previous years, World AIDS Day was observed all over the State today by organising health camps, rallies, seminars etc.

Manipur AIDS Control Society, State Directorate of Health Services along with various NGOs observed the World AIDS day at GM Hall today with Minister Art and Culture Ph Parijat Singh, Minister Health and Family Welfare L Nandakumar Singh and MLA W Brajabidhu Singh as the chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

Speaking at the occasion, Parijat asserted that AIDS which has spread to very nook and corner of the globe is one of the many challenges confronting mankind today and therefore needs a concerted effort from the public to contain this epidemic which has killed thousands.

He also urged the people to be alert arid cautious of AIDS as the disease, although incurable, can be prevented by being a little careful.

Stressing on the importance of the personal behaviour changes of an individual in controlling and preventing AIDS, he said that both men and women have equal responsibilities in preventing AIDS from breaking loose in the State.

L Nandakumar in his presidential speech said that the best way to prevent AIDS is to avoid the means of contacting the dreaded disease as it has no cure.

He also urged the public to rise and help fight the disease as AIDS has no friends or foe.

Commissioner Health AR Khan, Director Health Services Dr Ch Chandramani Singh and, Family Welfare Director S Raghunath also attended the function.

As a part of the 17th World AIDS Day 2004 observation, CARE Foundation and MSF Holland (Medicines Sans Frontiers) in collarboration with local clubs of Nambol organised a free health camp at Nambol Bazar today with Beth Fuller, Associate Program Manager, Project ORCHID and Janine Van Brink Medical Officer MSF Holland as the chief guests.

Speaking at the occasion, Beth said that the main strategy of project ORCHID is based on proven Harm Reduction approaches.

She further said that priority should be given to young women and young girls as the rate of transmission is very high among this weaker section.

The need for the public involvement in controlling the epidemic has become a necessity considering the rate at which the disease is spreading, said Beth adding that her native country Australia is aware of the problems faced by Nagaland and Manipur regarding AIDS and would do everything to help the two State to contain the epidemic.

Secretary CARE Ronny Waikhom in his keynote address highlighted about the present global and local statistic of HIV.

Stating that the problem of drug abuse still continues to haunt the State resulting in high rate of transmission among the youths, he said that every individual irrespective of caste creed, status etc should wake up and make an all out effort to make the society drug free.

Altogether 220 patients were treated and free medicines provided during the camp.

The camp was organised with the aim of mobilizing and sensitizing the general community for better response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic and also to realise together the need of health care in regards to the said pandemic.

134 Bn CRPF also observed the World AIDS Day at its headquarters at Lamphelpat today.

An interactive session discussing on technical aspects and preventive measures of AIDS was also held as a part of te function.

DIGP CRPF Imphal SS Sandhu, Comdt 134 Bn CRPF Bhupinder Singh, Comdt 130 Bn CRPF DS Bains, Th Surjapreeya and Nandeshwar (VCCTC) RIMS and Arun Kumar programme coordinator (WHO) took part in the interactive session.

Meanwhile, similar observation was also organised at Imphal Municipal Council with DC Imphal East KK Chhetry, Chairperson IMC G Moirangjao and VC IMC P Shitaljit as the chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

The function was organised jointly by Imphal Municipal Council and several NGOs under the aegis of MACS.

Lions Club Imphal East also observed the World AIDS Day by organising a one day seminar on the theme "Women, Girls, HIV and AIDS' at the conference hall of SAYC Soibam Leikai today.

Altogether 100 lion members attended the seminar.

Joining in the world wide observation of World AIDS Day, Bishnupur Block office also observed the day at the Dist Hq by organising a simple function.

A mass rally participated by about 200 person was also carried out as a part of the function.

Meanwhile, a public rally was also taken out this afternoon from MDU Yaiskul to THAU Ground in connection with the World AIDS Day.

The public rally which was flagged off by Rev Joseph Mittathany DD Archbishop of Imphal was organised by members of the MNP, SASO, Lifeline Foundation, NEIHR, KRIPA foundation, DSSS, Don Bosco and Catholic Relief Services.

Altogether two/three hundred people from different walks of life participated in the rally.

Placards reading "Know AIDS", "Be an AIDS activist - Lets share the issue and feel the change" etc were also carried by the rallyist at the rally.

World AIDS Day was also observed at Dist Hqs of Chandel and Bishnupur today.

Kwakta Youth Association, You and I Network, Social Development Association Singjamei, New Incarnation De Addiction Centre Kalingjar Jiribam, National Service Scheme Cell Manipur and NSS Regional Centre Guwahati, Rural Service Agency Palace Compound Population Education Cell SCERT, Charik Pareng Child Welfare Association, Yairipok Nagar Panchayat and New generation RIMS Road also observed the World AIDS day at their respective offices.

The World AIDS Day was also observed by Scientific Research and Rehabilitation Networks Organisation, Manipur, Citizens' Club, Moirang, Lamshang Nagar Panchayat by organising awareness campaign and discussion session preventive measures from the dreaded disease.

Staff, tutors and students of Sr Rajanibala School of Nursing, Porompat under Langol Rural Health and Research Centre today conducted a poster campaign at JN Hospital, Porompat and Lamlong area as part of World AIDS Day observance.

The campaign covered schools, colleges and restaurants Our CCpur correspondent adds from Lamka: The World AIDS Day 2004 was observed in Lamka under the banner "Women, Girls and HIV/AIDS" today under the aegis of the District AIDS Committee, Churachandpur.

In the first phase of the observation, a rally was taken out from various localities of the town by members of around 18 NGOs and besides from the civil population from around 6:30 am.

The rallysts distributed pamphlets and put up posters on their way to Synod Hall, IB Road where a meeting was held at 7 am.

A major highlight of the meeting attended by about 500 people, was a candlelight ceremony in which delegates held lit candle till it slowly melted.

The ceremony symbolizes that with knowledge, understanding and awareness, the scourge of AICS will eventually be defeated.

The function was attended by A Ibocha Singh DC/ Ccpur, Dr HL Liensang CMO/ Ccpur and Dr Patrick Almeida, project coordinator, Medicins Sans Frontiers as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

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