BAND - AIDS

Music serves as a platform for HIV/AIDS awareness in Arunachal Pradesh

Break the silence

Now, the question that has surely made us ponder deep is whether Arunachal Pradesh is safe from AIDS and how aware our people are to this dreadful Students participating in the campaign virus. The question definitely strikes hard in the core of our mind. AIDS in Arunachal Pradesh is like a balloon that is being inflated stealthily and is getting ready to burst in a decade or two if people keep ignoring it. In Arunachal Pradesh, HIV is definitely going to create wanton havoc if generating awareness about AIDS amongst the vulnerable, illiterate, rural populace is not addressed with the right approach.

Given the dynamics of rural India, a month long Multi Media Campaign (MMC) package was developed and implemented for the rural populace of the North East and the whole of India. This included mass contract programs in villages, counseling for the shy ones at a private place and an entertainment based program in search for the ultimate Red Ribbon Superstar rock concert interwoven with AIDS messages in Arunachal Pradesh.

Towards a better goal

With zeal and a mission to minimize human suffering in the fields of HIV/AIDS the Arunachal Pradesh State AIDS Control Society (APSACS) in collaboration with district health authorities launched the month long Multi Media Campaign (MMC) in search for the ultimate Red Ribbon Superstar, a rock concert from Daporijo in Upper Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh on the 10th of November 2010. The multi media campaign is an entrainment-education initiative with a target to inform and educate people of all age groups and sections of the society about HIV and AIDS, with prevention of HIV and AIDS, and removing the stigma and discrimination as the key message of the campaign.

T Byaling launches the Red Ribbon Superstar Musical Competition The campaign in Daporijo was inaugurated by Health and Family Welfare Minister Tanga Byaling who is prominent in raising the issues related to the dreaded disease of HIV/AIDs and who believes that it is possible to overcome social dogmas if the communication is in context and effective. The campaigns which kicked-off from Daporijo on November 10th as a district level competition will conclude at a state level grand finale in Itanagar after covering all the districts of Arunachal Pradesh.

Addressing the jam packed gathering as the Chief Guest, Byaling cautioned them against the dangerous effects of HIV/ AIDS and said that the disease shouldn’t be allowed into the society and that people should be aware of it. He also emphasized that unprotected sex, use of drugs, blood transfusion were some of the causes of AIDS. He also exhorted the youth to play a pivotal role in creating awareness among the masses regarding the ways and means to combat the spread of HIV/ AIDS adding that only prevention is the sure cure for this dreaded menace as no medicine is available to cure it once one is infected. Further, he asked the floating population to get routine check ups for HIV/ AIDS as this section of the society has been identified as potential carriers of this dreaded disease due to exposure to unsafe sex etc.

MLA Daporijo Tapen Siga emphasizing on blood donation in the state and terming it as a life saving service advised everyone present to donate blood voluntarily. He also openly and frankly explained to the public about the effects of unprotected sex and advised the people to abstain from it. He said that it was only through open discussions that awareness could be spread to all sections of the society.

Project Director APSACS Dr. Emi Rumi gave a brief introduction of the MMC. He emphasized on the need of passing of the preventive messages of Participants performing a live show on the occasion. HIV/AIDS to the people for a better tomorrow. He announced that the State level finalist would be selected as the State Brand Ambassador of HIV/AIDS in the future. He also talked on the benefits of acquiring ICTC service.

Be Informed - Be Safe - Avoid High Risk Behavior

To bring awareness about HIV infection and AIDS, the evening witnessed performances by five local bands from Daporijo who performed a live musical concert at the venue. Thousands of music aficionados thronged the Riju stadium at Daporijo, the venue of the concert and enjoyed the show and as the local bands swayed in tune with the riveting music, the enthralled audience consisting of the old and the young, clapped passionately. The sterling rock performance by ‘ALIEN GODS’ - a star rock multi-media campaigner added colour and variety to the programme. Needless to say that such music concerts are few and far between in Upper Subansiri district and people don’t let such an occasion pass by without letting their hair down and dancing to the beat of the music. The youth in particular were seen relishing the moment. The campaign that kicked off from Rijo Ground, Daporijo with great fanfare will be organized in other parts of the districts of Arunachal Pradesh to impart education on HIV/AIDs and in search of Red Ribbon Superstar Talent who at the end of the campaign will perform to win the state level grand finale Red Ribbon Superstar at the state capital Itanagar and with it the next leg of the MMC will witness road-shows and sports activities after the Red Ribbon superstar is chosen. Hopefully, the message on HIV/AIDS has gone to the youth and the populace.

Even if the country’s epidemic does not match the severity of those in southern Africa, it is clear that HIV and AIDS will have a devastating effect on the lives of millions of Indians for many years to come. It is essential that effective action is taken to minimize this impact. Since the time the first case of HIV presented itself many years ago, a lot of water has gone under the bridge. It is the rule of nature that all things change with the passage of time – all except integrity and diligence. We all tend to get careless with situations we get familiar with, but we need to guard against exploiting the situation for our own benefit. This tendency does creep in to twist a situation to suit our requirements of the hour. We need to be watchful and guard ourselves from this, and be absolutely above board as to what our motives are at every stage – no matter what the cost.