WORLD AIDS DAY 2019
The commemoration of World AIDS Day each year, is an important opportunity to recognize the essential role that communities have played in the AIDS response at the International, National and Local levels. As per the UN AIDS reports, significant progress has been made in the AIDS control since 1988 due to the effective interventions and advocacy of community health workers, civil society organizations and grass-roots activists. Voluntary activists and policymakers have often recommended that schools can act at the center point for disseminating information and education on AIDS. Hence school education has been described as a ‘social vaccine’, and it can serve as a powerful preventive tool. In India, there is a wide gap between the inputs in the HIV/AIDS curriculum for schools and the actual education that is imparted. Realizing the increasing necessity of sensitization programs at grass-root level in controlling this epidemic, the Department of Biosciences, Mar Thoma College, Thiruvalla in association with ASPiC club, ReAct Asia Pacific conducted AIDS awareness campaign at MTSS UP School, Manjadi, Thiruvalla on 28th November 2019. The campaign was officially inaugurated by Dr. Icy K. John, Principal, MarThoma College Thiruvalla. Smt. Mini JoiceKochamma, Manager, MTSS UP School presided over the inaugural function held at MTSS UP School. Dr. Thomas Mathew, Director, Dept. of Biosciences, Sri. Georgy Abraham, PTA president, Mr. Vishal Philip Sam, consultant, ReAct Asia Pacific also delivered felicitation speeches during the occasion. After the inaugural function, red ribbons were distributed inside the campus and among the public. As an international symbol of AIDS awareness, the students and staff of MTSS UP School, Manjadi and Mar Thoma College, Thiruvalla wore the red ribbon throughout the day in order to extent solidarity and support for people living with HIV. Furthermore, a flash mob was also conducted by the students based on the core theme. i.e ‘communities makes the difference’.
Dr. Harish R, Coordinator
