New Delhi: December 1 is marked World AIDS Day, globally, with the aim of bringing communities together worldwide to combat the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), provide support to those who are living with the disease, and honour those who have lost their lives to the disease.
Taking the message of supporting the people living with HIV forward, Reckitt, a global leader in consumer health, hygiene, and nutrition, observed the day with children (14-18 years of age) living with HIV, in Delhi.
Durex The Birds and Bees Talk (TBBT) programme by Reckitt, organised a special fun-filled day for children, in partnership with the ASSOCHAM Foundation For Corporate Social Responsibility (AFCSR), and PVR Nest.
The programme for the day has been carefully curated to ensure a memorable experience for the children.
The day commenced with a special movie screening of ‘Avatar – The Way Of Water’, at PVR Plaza, New Delhi, which was chosen by the kids. Besides, there were multiple interactive games organised for the children, such as ‘Run to Learn’, a virtual reality adventure based on the programme’s five principles – Awareness, Consent, Protection, Inclusion, and Equity.
Also Read: World AIDS Day 2023: The HIV Health Threat That Persists
Additionally, there were captivating musical performances, by Rais Khan and Group and Moko Koza, Rapper and Songwriter from Nagaland. There was also an exclusive performance by Sesame Street Muppeteers.
During the programme, Ravi Bhatnagar, Director, External Affairs & Partnerships, SOA, Reckitt, discussed the five important facts about World AIDS Day,
The first thing I would say is that everyone should themselves be tested for HIV; secondly, care for people living with the disease. In line with this year’s theme of letting the community lead, I would like to reiterate the role the community plays in supporting patients and vulnerable populations. Together, we can remove the stigma associated with people living with HIV and provide them a safe environment.
Joining the event, Rapper and Songwriter, Moko Koza emphasised on supporting the People living with HIV instead of stigmatising them. He ended his message with a rap performance about embracing rather than stigmatising the disease.
Transgender Rights Activist Laxmi Narayan Tripathi also joined the programme to mark World AIDS Day. Talking about the significance of the day, Ms Tripathi said,
We all have to come forward and support the cause of HIV/AIDS and help end stigma and discrimination. We must also support the national level programmes for HIV/AIDS.
The muppeteers, Elmo and Chamki, joined the kids to mark World AIDS Day and spread the message of inclusion and leaving no one behind among them.
The day ended by distributing the The Birds and Bees Talk (TBBT) Health and Hygiene kits to the children. These kits are designed for children to provide essential support for their everyday lives.
Also Read: “Protect, Don’t Neglect”: Dr. Tanaya Narendra Urges The Use Of Condoms To Prevent HIV/AIDS
NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via the Banega Swachh India initiative, which in its Season 10 is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Ayushmann Khurrana. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – the LGBTQ population, indigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In a world post COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fight malnutrition, mental well-being, self-care, science and health, adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity, which is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.
