| 1) | Reach senior politicians and the PM office to convince them of the need for the PM to take personal charge of the government effort. | |
| 2) | Trigger a grass roots movement and involve various organizations -- Industry, schools, colleges, hospitals, and journalists to first understand the situation and what needs to be done, and then act as nuclei for further spread of the message. | |
| 3) | The future generation -- schools and college students. College students want a very different message from what works in schools. There is more variation in attitude and much more sexual experimentation. So they are more responsive to a talk emphasizing protected sex rather than safe sex. Since the risk factors are larger, a much more carefully designed and tailored message is necessary. |
GOVERNMENT: With elections going on I decided that trying to reach senior politicians would NOT be productive. So this goal was postponed until the next visit.
SCHOOLS: My experience with school students suggests that to be successful during the lecture and in the long term we need to take into account the following: The message in schools has to be acceptable not just to the students, but also to the teachers and the principal. Otherwise there will not be follow through. My talk was tailored to be a mix of information, morality, and patriotism depending on my understanding of the situation. Also, I made an effort to involve the students during the presentation. This was done by asking them questions or their opinion on issues. Finally the question answers session at the end was essential and I think they retained much more from that than from the talk. The format that seemed to work well was one hour for the presentation and one hour for questions. THE SUMMARY OF THE MESSAGE USED IN SCHOOLS IS
| 1) | No risky Sex | |
| 2) | Avoid alcohol and drugs (impair judgement and may lead to risky sex) | |
| 3) | Dont cheat yourself or others | |
| 4) | Help and educate others | |
| 5) | Work hard to make India proud |
INDUSTRIES: My recommendations for follow up by the Industry were
| 1) | Develop peer groups within the organization that carry the message to other workers, friends, relatives, and associates. Provide regular training to them and an evaluation of their work. Provide financial incentives to these workers as that helps keep their interest. | |
| 2) | Regular awareness lectures on STD's, hygiene, and HIV/AIDS. Teaching of correct use of condoms to prevent STD's. | |
| 3) | Each industry should contract with a good STD and TB clinic for early detection and treatment for the worker and family. Actually full family medicine clinics will be more effective in bringing the workers and their family in -- these should include STD and HIV/AIDS testing, diagnosis and counseling. | |
| 4) | Provide full immunization for the whole family at reasonable subsidized rates |
The following is a brief description of the audience and an outline of the lectures on HIV/AIDS intervention that I gave to (i) School and College students (ii) medical doctors, nurses, and students (iii) industrial management and workers. I have also briefly listed my perception of the response. Hopefully, institutions that showed interest are approached by other activists for follow ups.
| Aug. 29: | TIME: | 3 pm - 7.30 pm |
| PLACE: | MODICARE, New Friends Colony, New Delhi | |
| PEOPLE: | Samir Modi, Juhi Sahai, Lavleen Singal, Deshdeep Sahdev | |
| AGENDA: | How to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS IN INDIA | |
| IMPACT: | It is high time to start re-inventing the India we want and desire. | |
| FUTURE: | To use the network of MODICARE to form peer groups that are trained to spread the message. | |
| Aug. 30: | TIME: | 10 am - noon |
| PLACE: | India Habitat Center, New Delhi | |
| AUDIENCE: | 600 boys and girls of 10-12 grades from 10 schools | |
| TALK TITLE: | THE HIV/AIDS CRISIS IN INDIA | |
| HOST: | Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), Northern India, Mr. Gaurav Bhatia | |
| GOAL: | To educate them on (i) what is HIV, (ii) how to protect oneself from getting infected, and (iii) why we need the help of the youth to spread the message and ensure a bright future for all Indians | |
| IMPACT: | Very good response in terms of questions asked | |
| FUTURE: | Not known. There was not enough time to talk to the teachers to form a core group that would sustain the effort. | |
| Aug. 30: | TIME: | noon-3.30 |
| PLACE: | India Habitat Center, New Delhi | |
| PEOPLE: | Core group of Teachers at Vasent Valley School | |
| AGENDA: | To evaluate the Health survey conducted at Vascent Valley School, and plan future efforts. | |
| Aug. 30: | TIME: | 4.00-6.00 pm |
| PLACE: | CII conference room, New Delhi | |
| AUDIENCE: | representatives of 3 industries and CII staff | |
| TALK TITLE: | WHY HIV PREVENTION SHOULD BE A PRIORITY IN INDIA | |
| HOST: | CII North India | |
| GOAL: | To discuss the impact of health pandemics on industry and to convince them to take responsibility for worker's health. | |
| IMPACT: | Not known | |
| FUTURE: | Not known | |
| Aug. 31: | TIME: | 11.30 am - 1.30pm |
| PLACE: | Seth Anandram Jaipuria School, Kanpur | |
| AUDIENCE: | 200 boys and girls of 10-12 grades | |
| TALK TITLE: | THE HIV/AIDS CRISIS IN INDIA | |
| HOST: | CII Northern India, Lucknow Office, Shri Sunil Mishra | |
| GOAL: | To educate them on (i) what is HIV, (ii) how to protect oneself from getting infected, and (iii) why we need the help of the youth to spread the message and ensure a bright future for all Indians | |
| IMPACT: | Very good response in terms of questions asked. The students were eager to help spread the message | |
| FUTURE: | The principal, Dinkar Singh, is keen to have follow up lectures and develop an program on health and environment in school. | |
| Aug. 31: | TIME: | 3.30-5.30 pm |
| PLACE: | Udyog Bhavan ???, Kanpur | |
| AUDIENCE: | representatives of industry, government officials, and CII staff | |
| TALK TITLE: | WHY HIV PREVENTION SHOULD BE A PRIORITY IN INDIA | |
| HOST: | CII Northern India, Lucknow Office, Shri Sunil Mishra | |
| GOAL: | To discuss the impact of health pandemics on industry and to convince them to take responsibility for workers health. | |
| IMPACT: | Very Positive | |
| FUTURE: | Not known | |
| Sept. 1: | TIME: | 10.30 am - 12.30pm |
| PLACE: | Saint Francis' College, Lucknow | |
| AUDIENCE: | 150 boys of 10-12 grades | |
| TALK TITLE: | THE HIV/AIDS CRISIS IN INDIA | |
| HOST: | CIINothern India, Lucknow office, Shri Sunil Mishra | |
| GOAL: | To educate them on (i) what is HIV, (ii) how to protect oneself from getting infected, and (iii) why we need the help of the youth to spread the message and ensure a bright future for all Indians | |
| IMPACT: | Very good response in terms of questions asked. The students showed concern and willingness to help. | |
| FUTURE: | The principal did not show an interest in follow up lectures or to develop a sustained effort. | |
| Sept. 1: | TIME: | 2.00-4.00 pm |
| PLACE: | ?????, Lucknow | |
| AUDIENCE: | representatives of industry, government officials, press, and CII staff | |
| TALK TITLE: | WHY HIV PREVENTION SHOULD BE A PRIORITY IN INDIA | |
| HOST: | CII North India, Lucknow Office. Shri Sunil Mishra | |
| GOAL: | To discuss the impact of health pandemics on industry and to convince them to take responsibility for workers health. | |
| IMPACT: | Very Positive | |
| FUTURE: | Not known | |
| Sept. 2: | TIME: | 10.30 am - 12.30 pm |
| PLACE: | PGI auditorium, Chandigarh | |
| AUDIENCE: | 1000 boys and girls of 10-12 grades from 12 schools | |
| TALK TITLE: | THE HIV/AIDS CRISIS IN INDIA | |
| HOST: | CII Northern India, Mr Piyush Behl, Ms Shona Dalal | |
| GOAL: | To educate them on (i) what is HIV, (ii) how to protect oneself from getting infected, and (iii) why we need the help of the youth to spread the message and ensure a bright future for all Indians | |
| IMPACT: | Very good response in terms of questions asked | |
| FUTURE: | Many teachers were interested in forming a core group to sustain the effort. | |
| Sept. 2: | TIME: | 5.30 am - 7:00 pm |
| PLACE: | Mahatma Gandhi auditorium, Panjab Univ. Chandigarh | |
| AUDIENCE: | Dr. Jolly, 2 faculty, Dilsher Kalha, 5 students | |
| TALK TITLE: | THE VARIOUS HEALTH PANDEMICS IN INDIA | |
| HOST: | Dr. Rajiv Lochan, VC's office | |
| GOAL: | A global perspective on the five pandemics (1) TB and multidrug resistant TB (2) Bacterial and viral venereal diseases (3) Malaria, typhoid, diarrhea, and dysentery (4) Hepatitis A, B, C (5) HIV/AIDS | |
| IMPACT: | Zero | |
| FUTURE: | Zero | |
| Sept. 3: | TIME: | 8.00 am - 10.00 pm |
| PLACE: | MAX India House, Chandigarh | |
| PEOPLE: | Ms. Reeta Sharma, reporter | |
| AGENDA: | THE VARIOUS HEALTH PANDEMICS IN INDIA | |
| GOAL: | To communicate why I think we have a health crisis and the urgency for the very constructive role the press needs to play. | |
| Sep. 4: | TIME: | MORNING 10.30 - 12.00 |
| PLACE: | Chandigarh Club, Chandigarh | |
| AUDIENCE: | About 80 people that Ms Reeta Sharma invited. They included members of the press, friends, family and club members. | |
| TALK TITLE: | Global perspective on the HIV/AIDS pandemic | |
| HOST: | Ms. Reeta Sharma | |
| GOAL: | To provide basic information on HIV/AIDS, the scope of the health pandemics, and what needs to be done to stop the spread | |
| IMPACT: | Very Good | |
| FUTURE: | Dont know | |
| Sep. 4: | TIME: | AFTERNOON 3-4 pm |
| PLACE: | Vardhaman Spinning Mills, Baddi, H.P. | |
| AUDIENCE: | About 30 managers | |
| TALK TITLE: | PROTECTION FROM HIV/AIDS | |
| HOST: | CII Northern India, Chandigarh Office. Ms. Shona Dalal | |
| GOAL: | Give basic knowledge of diseases, and why industry should be concerned about the workers health. | |
| IMPACT: | Positive | |
| FUTURE: | DONT KNOW | |
| Sep. 4: | TIME: | AFTERNOON 4-5 pm |
| PLACE: | Vardhaman Spinning Mills, Baddi, H.P. | |
| AUDIENCE: | About 200 workers | |
| TALK TITLE: | PROTECTION FROM HIV/AIDS | |
| HOST: | CII Northern India, Chandigarh Office. Shona Dalal | |
| GOAL: | Give basic knowledge of diseases, and why workers need to protect themselves. Emphasis on how HIV/AIDS destroys the whole family. | |
| IMPACT: | The workers opened up after a while. Many wanted to ask questions later which got interrupted due to lack of time | |
| FUTURE: | DONT KNOW | |
| Sep. 6: | TIME: | MORNING 10.30 - 12.00 |
| PLACE: | Rockman Cycles, Ludhiana | |
| AUDIENCE: | Munjal Family, Managers, 300 workers, CEO's of of neighboring companies | |
| TALK TITLE: | WHAT IS HIV/AIDS and how to protect yourself | |
| HOST: | Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Shri P.N. Gupta, Drs Rajoo Singh and G. Wander, Rockman Management and Dr. Dilpreet Kaur | |
| GOAL: | Give basic knowledge of diseases, its consequences to the whole family, and how and why we must protect ourselves. | |
| IMPACT: | Realization of need to worry about worker's health | |
| FUTURE: | Dr. Dilpreet will follow up on "Recommendations to Industry" | |
| Sep. 6: | TIME: | Noon - 2.00 PM |
| PLACE: | Rockman Cycles, Ludhiana | |
| AUDIENCE: | Munjal Family, Managers, CEO's of of neighboring companies | |
| TALK TITLE: | WHY HIV PREVENTION SHOULD BE A PRIORITY IN INDIA | |
| HOST: | Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Shri P.N. Gupta, Drs Rajoo Singh and G. Wander, Rockman Management and Dr. Dilpreet Kaur | |
| GOAL: | To discuss the impact of health pandemics on industry and to convince them to take responsibility for workers health. | |
| IMPACT: | Realization of need to worry about worker's health | |
| FUTURE: | Dr. Dilpreet will follow up on "Recommendations to Industry" | |
| Sep. 6: | TIME: | AFTERNOON 2.30-4 pm |
| PLACE: | Vardhaman Wollen Mills, Ludhiana | |
| AUDIENCE: | 200 workers and some wives | |
| TALK TITLE: | PROTECTION FROM HIV/AIDS (Hindi) | |
| HOST: | Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Shri P.N. Gupta, Drs Rajoo Singh and G. Wander | |
| GOAL: | Give basic knowledge of diseases, its consequences to the whole family, and how and why we must protect ourselves. | |
| IMPACT: | Very concerned and motivated to take care of themselves | |
| FUTURE: | DONT KNOW | |
| Sep. 7: | TIME: | MORNING 9.00 - 11.00 |
| PLACE: | D. A. V. School, Ludhiana | |
| AUDIENCE: | 300 boys and girls, 15 teachers | |
| TALK TITLE: | THE HIV/AIDS CRISIS IN INDIA | |
| HOST: | DMCH, Shri P.N. Gupta, Drs Rajoo Singh and G. Wander Principal DAV School | |
| GOAL: | To educate them on (i) what is HIV, (ii) how to protect oneself from getting infected, and (iii) why we need the help of the youth to spread the message and ensure a bright future for all Indians | |
| IMPACT: | Very strong endorsement from students, teachers, principal | |
| FUTURE: | The principal offered to set up an AIDS relief fund on behalf of Children | |
| Sep. 7: | TIME: | 12.00 Noon - 2.00 PM |
| PLACE: | Guru Nanak Public School, Ludhiana | |
| AUDIENCE: | 500 students and teachers, Principal | |
| TALK TITLE: | THE HIV/AIDS CRISIS IN INDIA | |
| HOST: | DMCH, Shri P.N. Gupta, Dr Rajoo Singh Dr S.C. Ahuja, B. Shah, N. Bajwa Principal Mrs Virdi | |
| GOAL: | To educate them on (i) what is HIV, (ii) how to protect oneself from getting infected, and (iii) why we need the help of the youth to spread the message and ensure a bright future for all Indians | |
| IMPACT: | Very strong endorsement from students, teachers, principal | |
| FUTURE: | The principal is keen to follow up | |
| Sep. 8: | TIME: | MORNING 10.30 - 12.30 |
| PLACE: | Ahmed Isher School, Ahmedgarh | |
| AUDIENCE: | 150 students, teachers, Principal | |
| TALK TITLE: | THE HIV/AIDS CRISIS IN INDIA | |
| HOST: | DMCH, Shri P.N. Gupta, Dr Rajoo Singh Col. T.S. Kanwar, Drs. B. Shah, Sobti Principal Sh. Kartar Singh | |
| GOAL: | To educate them on (i) what is HIV, (ii) how to protect oneself from getting infected, and (iii) why we need the help of the youth to spread the message and ensure a bright future for all Indians | |
| IMPACT: | Very strong endorsement from students, teachers, principal | |
| FUTURE: | The principal is keen to follow up | |
| Sep. 8: | TIME: | AFTERNOON |
| PLACE: | Government College, Malerkotla | |
| AUDIENCE: | 80 students, teachers, staff | |
| TALK TITLE: | DISEASES AFFECTING INDIA, AND WHY HIV IS DIFFERENT | |
| HOST: | DMCH, Shri P.N. Gupta, Dr Rajoo Singh Col. T.S. Kanwar, Drs. B. Shah, Sobti Prof. Irshad Ahmed | |
| GOAL: | To educate them on (i) what is HIV, (ii) how to protect oneself from getting infected, and (iii) why we need the help of the youth to spread the message and ensure a bright future for all Indians | |
| IMPACT: | Very strong endorsement from students, teachers, principal | |
| FUTURE: | The teachers and principal are keen to follow up | |
| Sep. 9: | TIME: | MORNING 10.30- 11.30 am |
| PLACE: | Kundan Vidya Mandir, Ludhiana | |
| AUDIENCE: | Managing Committee, 100 teachers, 10 students | |
| TALK TITLE: | DISEASES AFFECTING INDIA, AND RISKS of HIV in YOUTH | |
| HOST: | DMCH, Dr Rajoo Singh Col. T.S. Kanwar, Drs. B. Shah, Munjal | |
| GOAL: | Basic discussion of HIV, and the role of teachers in developing responsible citizens of tomorrow. | |
| IMPACT: | Good | |
| FUTURE: | Develop a program for educating students on health and diseases | |
| Sep. 9: | TIME: | 11.45-1.00 |
| PLACE: | Sacred Heart Convent, Ludhiana | |
| AUDIENCE: | 500 Girls from 10-12 class | |
| TALK TITLE: | THE HIV/AIDS CRISIS IN INDIA | |
| HOST: | DMCH, Dr Rajoo Singh Col. T.S. Kanwar, Drs. B. Shah, Munjal Vice Principal Sister | |
| GOAL: | To educate them on (i) what is HIV, (ii) how to protect oneself from getting infected, and (iii) why we need the help of the youth to spread the message and ensure a bright future for all Indians | |
| IMPACT: | Very strong endorsement from students and teachers | |
| FUTURE: | Unknown as the vice principal did not show much interest | |
| Sep. 10: | TIME: | MORNING 11.00 - 1.00 pm |
| PLACE: | Oswal Hospital, Ludhiana | |
| AUDIENCE: | Doctors, staff, nurses | |
| TALK TITLE: | DISEASES AFFECTING INDIA, AND WHY IS HIV DIFFERENT | |
| HOST: | DMCH, Drs Rajoo Singh and S. Puri | |
| GOAL: | To convince them that the health Pandemics require doctors to formulate a cohesive policy to spread awareness aimed at prevention | |
| IMPACT: | Few of the doctors showed concern | |
| FUTURE: | Dont know | |
| Sep. 10: | TIME: | 2.00 - 4.00 pm |
| PLACE: | Dayanand Medical College, Ludhiana | |
| AUDIENCE: | Nursing staff | |
| TALK TITLE: | (i) Precautions against HIV and (2) Basics of Sexually transmitted Diseases | |
| HOST: | DMCH, Drs Rajoo Singh and S. Puri Nursing SUPT. Uma Aggarwal | |
| GOAL: | Basic education on HIV/AIDS and STD. Discussion of Universal precautions (Hindi) | |
| IMPACT: | Good | |
| FUTURE: | Understand better how to take care of patients co-infected with HIV | |
| Sep. 10: | TIME: | 7.00-9.00 pm |
| PLACE: | La Baron Center, Ludhiana | |
| AUDIENCE: | Ludhiana Management Association | |
| TALK TITLE: | HIV and the burden of diseases in INDIA. What needs to be done | |
| HOST: | Shri Sunil Munjal, LMA | |
| GOAL: | To convince the industry that taking care of workers health is in their financial interest | |
| IMPACT: | Good | |
| FUTURE: | Many want to adopt worker health awareness in their industrial units. Need help setting it up | |
| Sept. 13: | TIME: | 12.15 - 2pm |
| PLACE: | St. Angela Sophia School, Jaipur | |
| AUDIENCE: | 200 girls of 10-12 grades | |
| TALK TITLE: | THE HIV/AIDS CRISIS IN INDIA | |
| HOST: | Confederation of Indian Industries, Jaipur. Ms. Dimpee Bali | |
| GOAL: | To educate them on (i) what is HIV, (ii) how to protect oneself from getting infected, and (iii) why we need the help of the youth to spread the message and ensure a bright future for all Indians | |
| IMPACT: | Very good response in terms of questions asked. The students were eager to help spread the message | |
| FUTURE: | The principal is very keen to have follow up lectures and contribute to stopping AIDS. | |
| Sept. 13: | TIME: | 3.00 - 4pm |
| PLACE: | Santokba Durlabhji Memorial Hospital, Jaipur | |
| AUDIENCE: | Nursing staff | |
| TALK TITLE: | Precautions against HIV/AIDS in Hospitals | |
| HOST: | Confederation of Indian Industries, Jaipur and Yogendra Durlabhji | |
| GOAL: | Discussed means of transmission of the virus and how to protect oneself from getting infected. Emphasized the need to adopt universal precautions in order to reduce risk of infections from diseases like HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, TB. | |
| IMPACT: | Some of the nurses were very concerned with the expense of dealing with HIV patients. They also were critical of doctors that were not treating HIV patients properly. | |
| FUTURE: | To develop peer groups for morale support and for dealing with the tough times ahead. Also to spread awareness to stop spread of HIV/AIDS. | |
| Sept. 13: | TIME: | 3.00 - 4pm |
| PLACE: | Santokba Durlabhji Memorial Hospital, Jaipur | |
| AUDIENCE: | Doctors | |
| TALK TITLE: | The global health pandemics: India is hard hit | |
| HOST: | Confederation of Indian Industries, Jaipur and Yogendra Durlabhji | |
| GOAL: | Presented data from UNAIDS, WHO, and CDC on the global and Indian situation on bacterial and viral sexually transmitted diseases, Tuberculosis, Malaria, Hepatitis A, B, C, and HIV/AIDS. The data make the need for a massive health awareness campaign obvious. The rise in the number of HIV/AIDS cases is ominous. | |
| IMPACT: | Few of the doctors showed concern | |
| FUTURE: | Not clear. | |
| Sept. 14: | TIME: | 10.30 - 12.30 |
| PLACE: | B.M. Birla Auditorium, Jaipur | |
| AUDIENCE: | 1400 students of 10-12 grades from 10 schools | |
| TALK TITLE: | THE HIV/AIDS CRISIS IN INDIA | |
| HOST: | Confederation of Indian Industries, Jaipur. Ms. Dimpee Bali | |
| GOAL: | To educate them on (i) what is HIV, (ii) how to protect oneself from getting infected, and (iii) why we need the help of the youth to spread the message and ensure a bright future for all Indians | |
| IMPACT: | Very good response in terms of questions asked. The students were eager to help spread the message | |
| FUTURE: | Did not have time to talk to teachers to form a core group that would sustain the effort. | |
| Sept. 15: | TIME: | 9.30 - 10.30 |
| PLACE: | Safdarjang Hospital, New Delhi | |
| PEOPLE: | Dr. Bitra George, Ms. Elizabeth, Ms. Dimple Sharma, and Ms. Dilreen Kaur | |
| AGENDA: | To see the STD/HIV counseling and testing center set by Dr. Bitra George | |
| HOST: | Vasant Valley Center, and Dr. Bitra George | |
| IMPACT: | Dr. George described the center and the process of counseling. In the evening (5.00 - 8.00 pm) he carried out a full tutorial on the process of counseling for me. We agreed to share and use each others expertise in our work. | |
| Sept. 15: | TIME: | 11.00 - 12.30 |
| PLACE: | Frank Anthony Public School, New Delhi | |
| AUDIENCE: | 80 students of 10-11 class | |
| TALK TITLE: | THE HIV/AIDS CRISIS IN INDIA | |
| HOST: | Vasant Valley School, and teachers FAPS | |
| GOAL: | To educate them on (i) what is HIV, (ii) how to protect oneself from getting infected, and (iii) why we need the help of the youth to spread the message and ensure a bright future for all Indians | |
| IMPACT: | Very good response in terms of questions asked. The students were eager to help spread the message | |
| FUTURE: | The teachers responded very positively. Need to form a core group to sustain the effort. | |
| Sept. 15: | TIME: | 12.30 - 2.00 |
| PLACE: | Lady Shree Ram College, New Delhi | |
| AUDIENCE: | About 60 students and 5 teachers | |
| TALK TITLE: | THE HIV/AIDS CRISIS IN INDIA | |
| HOST: | Dr. Poonum Mukim and Vasent Valley Center | |
| GOAL: | Talk on what is HIV, its dimensions in India, and how to protect oneself from getting infected. | |
| IMPACT: | Essentially Zero. The students felt that the talk was too moralistic and abstinence from sex before marriage was not a realistic solution even though it was the only 100% safe way | |
| FUTURE: | Dont know. | |
| Sept. 16: | TIME: | 8.00 - 10.30 |
| PLACE: | Vasent Valley School, New Delhi | |
| AUDIENCE: | 150 students of 10-11 class | |
| TALK TITLE: | THE HIV/AIDS CRISIS IN INDIA | |
| HOST: | Vasant Valley School | |
| GOAL: | To review the health survey carried out. Discuss the basics and prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases. Review the basics of HIV/AIDS. Discuss issues of sexual abuse. | |
| IMPACT: | Very good response in terms of questions asked and the desire to learn. Also to help spread the message | |
| FUTURE: | The core group of 15 teachers working on the health and environment curriculum will continue with their work. | |
| Sept. 16: | TIME: | 10.30 - 1.30 |
| PLACE: | Vasent Valley School, New Delhi | |
| AUDIENCE: | 20 NGO's and some parents of students | |
| AGENDA: | HOW TO COMBAT THE HIV/AIDS CRISIS IN INDIA | |
| HOST: | Vasant Valley School | |
| GOAL: | The goal was to find areas of co-operation between various NGO's. Review the various pilot projects that different NGO's have ongoing and see which ones should be duplicated. Develop common strategies and maintain a forum for learning from each other. | |
| IMPACT: | The meeting did not progress well. People with very varied backgrounds were present and a large fraction of the time was spent trying to answer simple questions. However, some links were established -- between NAZ and Dristikon; between RAHI and VV School. | |
| FUTURE: | While this meeting was not as successful as we wanted, hopefully enough progress was made to warrant future meetings. I feel it is essential that NGO's continue to co-operate. | |
| Sept. 16: | TIME: | 2.30 - 4.00 |
| PLACE: | Vasent Valley School, New Delhi | |
| PEOPLE: | Ms. Dimple Sharme, Ms. Dilreen Kaur and other members of the core group at VVS | |
| AGENDA: | The Health and environment curriculum | |
| GOAL: | To review the progress made in the development of the curriculum and the response of the students and teachers. | |
| Sept. 17: | TIME: | 8.30 - 10.30 |
| PLACE: | Delhi Public School, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi | |
| AUDIENCE: | 150 students of 11-12 class | |
| TALK TITLE: | THE HIV/AIDS CRISIS IN INDIA | |
| HOST: | Vasant Valley School, and Principal DPS Mr. Vinay Kumar | |
| GOAL: | To educate them on (i) what is HIV, (ii) how to protect oneself from getting infected, and (iii) why we need the help of the youth to spread the message and ensure a bright future for all Indians | |
| IMPACT: | Very good response in terms of questions asked. The students are eager to help spread the message | |
| FUTURE: | The principal promised to bring out a booklet on HIV/AIDS and spread awareness to 100,000 people. | |
| Sept. 17: | TIME: | 11.30 - 1.00 |
| PLACE: | Blue Bells School, New Delhi | |
| AUDIENCE: | 150 students of 10-11 class | |
| TALK TITLE: | THE HIV/AIDS CRISIS IN INDIA | |
| HOST: | Vasant Valley School, and Principal Blue Bells | |
| GOAL: | To educate them on (i) what is HIV, (ii) how to protect oneself from getting infected, and (iii) why we need the help of the youth to spread the message and ensure a bright future for all Indians | |
| IMPACT: | Very good response in terms of questions asked. The students were eager to help spread the message | |
| FUTURE: | The principal agreed to follow up and a health and disease awareness program at school. | |
| Sept. 17: | TIME: | 3.30 - 5.00 |
| PLACE: | Modi Care, Rajouri Gardens, New Delhi | |
| AUDIENCE: | 200 of their partners and shareholders | |
| TALK TITLE: | THE HIV/AIDS CRISIS IN INDIA (Hindi) | |
| HOST: | Vasant Valley School, and Samir Modi, Director | |
| GOAL: | To educate them on (i) what is HIV, (ii) how to protect oneself from getting infected, and (iii) why we need their help to spread the message and ensure a bright future for all Indians | |
| IMPACT: | Very good response and questions. Many were eager to help spread the message | |
| FUTURE: | Modi Care will follow up with a a health and disease awareness program, in particular HIV/AIDS. | |
| Sept. 17: | TIME: | 6.00 - 7.00 |
| PLACE: | Taxi stand, Gautum Nagar, New Delhi | |
| AUDIENCE: | 20 Taxi and bus drivers, assistants | |
| TALK TITLE: | HIV/AIDS AWARENESS (Hindi) | |
| HOST: | Vasant Valley School teacher | |
| GOAL: | A very basic discussion on dangers of risky sex. Also, a warning against going to "cheap" doctors who are not ethical. | |
| IMPACT: | They took some time to open up, but then enthusiastically accepted the need to form peer groups to spread the message. Also, they already were aware of the dangers of heavy drinking and drugs. | |
| FUTURE: | Have to evaluate during next trip if they did talk to their associates. | |
| Sept. 18: | TIME: | 10.30 am - 1.30 pm |
| PLACE: | Vascent Valley School, New Delhi | |
| AUDIENCE: | 6 parents | |
| TALK TITLE: | The health pandemics in India. Discussion of the VVS curriculum on health education | |
| HOST: | Vasant Valley School | |
| GOAL: | To inform the parents of the dimension of the health crisis in India (the 5 pandemics) and to bring them into the loop of discussion on how to educate their children so that they can make the right choices in life. | |
| IMPACT: | Enthusiastic response with offers to help. | |
| FUTURE: | Continue such meetings and get more involved. | |
| Sept. 18: | TIME: | 7.30 - 9.00pm |
| PLACE: | NAZ Foundation, New Delhi | |
| AUDIENCE: | 50 members of a Gay Association | |
| TALK TITLE: | GAY IDENTITY and HIV/AIDS AWARENESS | |
| HOST: | Gay Association | |
| GOAL: | Ashok Row Kavi of Humsafar trust Bombay gave the main lecture on the identity of homosexual relationships in India. HIV/AIDS awareness consisted of the following messages. (0) WARNING: Very high prevalence of HIV in male sex workers and at least the MSM tested in Bombay. (1) reduce risk by exploring ways of attaining orgasm that do not involve penetration. (2) Always take the same precautions: safest to design these assuming partner is HIV+ (3) Practice wearing a condom correctly. A good exercise is to learn to do it blindfolded. CAUTIONS: Check expiry date; dont use petroleum based jellies; squeeze the air out of the nipple before putting on; use the pads of the fingers and not the ends when opening the package and unrolling to avoid nicking the condom. | |
| IMPACT: | NOT SURE | |
| FUTURE: | DONT KNOW |
VASANT VALLEY SCHOOL, NEW DELHI. DIRECTOR Shri Arun Kapur. HEALTH EDUCATION PROJECT LEADER: Mrs Dimple Sharma plus a core group of 15 teachers.
VASANT VALLEY CENTER, NEW DELHI. Dilreen Kaur
DAYANAND MEDICAL COLLEGE AND HOSPITAL, Ludhiana. SECRETARY Shri Prem Nath Gupta. ACTIVISTS: Dr S. C. Ahuja (principal), G. S. Wander (Hospital Suprintendent, Head Cardiology), Dr. Rajoo Singh (Head,Gastroentrology), Dr. Mrs V. Malhotra (Head, Pathology), Dr. S. Puri, Dr. B. Shah, Dr Mrs Sobti, and Col. K.S. Kanwar (Chief Administrator). I thank them for their personal commitment and daily involvement. Their commitment of time and reinforcement of the urgency has opened up the entire Ludhiana community to the AIDS campaign.
CONFEDERATION OF INDIAN INDUSTRIES (CII) Northern region. The efforts and organization of Ms. Shona Dalal, Gaurav Bhatia, Sunil Mishra, and Dimpee Bali were flawless.
HERO-HONDA INDUSTRIES, Ludhiana. MANAGING DIRECTORS Shri Sunil Munjal and Shri Suman Munjal. Mr Sunil Munjal's personal interest in pushing this message in industries throughout India is very welcome and needed. The lead role played by Dr. Dilpreet Brar (health officer) is exemplary.
Yogindra Durlabhji, Jaipur, for his keen interest and encouragement.
I would like to thank T. Bhattacharya, David Campbell, Alice Chapman, Kay Grady, Bill Klein, Bobby and Jeff Mandula, Lavleen and Rekha Singal, Cyrus Umrigar, Leslie Weaver, Geoffrey West, Mary and Chuck Zemack, and the Los Alamos Medical Center for their generous support.
Rajan Gupta