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The World AIDS Day is held annually on December 1, and provides an
opportunity for people worldwide join forces in their battle against HIV/ AIDS.
The day also marks support for people living with HIV while commemorating
victims of this scourge. “The World AIDS Day was the first ever global health
day and the first one was held in 1988..
In a unique guesture the Mayor of Vasai- Virar
Municipal Council Shri Raju Patil invited Fr. Joe H Pereira Trustee, Kripa
Foundation and Advisory Board Members of the Vasai Region AIDS Control Society
(VRACS) to a reception of high tea hosted specially to commemorate VRACS’ work
in the region of Vasai-Virar.
Host
to the function was Mrs. Patil the wife of Mayor Patil and Mr. Ajiv Patil brother of the
mayor. Mr. Ajiv Patil is a sitting
Municipal Councilor in Virar.
Speaking
on the occasion, Fr. Joe mentioned that eradicating HIV and AIDS is yet to be
achieved scientifically. However, these infections can be prevented by leading
a mentally, physically and spiritually healthy life, which encourages people to
shun drugs and casual sexual contact. VRACS, a division of Kripa is exerting
extra efforts in the Vasai-Virar region to create a general awareness of HIV/
AIDS among all sections of the society. In addition, Kripa’s centers across
India have dedicated HIV/AIDS help-lines that can be accessed by the general
public 24/7. He further added that most HIV patients carry a social stigma and
are discriminated against by the society, which is a sad reality in India and
abroad, However with the support of the Mayor and Elected Leaders Forum against AIDS (ELFA) and outreach done
by VRACS it is far less in these areas of Vasai- Virar”. He assured all support
by Kripa and VRACS to Mayor Patil and the people in his municipal region, to
combat the dreaded disease.
Mayor
Patil lauded the achievements of VRACS in his municipal precinct and urged Fr.
Joe and his delegation to continue their efforts to ensure that the region
nears to the zero mark of HIV/AIDS. Pledging full support for his work towards mankind.
Submitted
Ashwin Honawar
Collage
Newsdesk
