Imphal observed the 30th International AIDS Candle Light Memorial Day in memory of AIDS victims.
This special day is observed across the globe, on the third Sunday of the month of May since many years. The objective of the movement is to mobilize public opinion and generate awareness in the world.
It is about time that barriers of stigma and discrimination against those infected with HIV, are broken down by all.
A similar effort was organised in Imphal by 16 civil societies jointly supported by Manipur AIDS Control Society, and was marked by the participants holding illuminated candles in memory of the victims.
R.K. Deepak Singh, President of Manipur Network Positive (MNP) said that this was an earnest effort to ensure that people are more aware of HIV.
"In Manipur also we have been observing this day for the last many years. As we all know that in Manipur more than 42,000 have been diagnosed with HIV. The real fear in Manipur is that we have only 27 lakh (2.7 million) to 28 lakh (2.8 million) people in the state of Manipur and out of that more than 42,000 and above have been HIV positive so far," said Singh on Sunday.
Th. Shanta, a social activist said that there was need to ensure that the victims of HIV are able to lead a respectable life.
"If one suffers from cancer then people respect him or her and if one suffers from HIV, infected or affected by HIV, people ill treat him and also cruel act to them," asked Shanta.
The United Nation 2011 AIDS report said that in the last 10 years there has been a 50% decline in the new HIV infection cases. The spread of HIV in India is primarily restricted to the southern and northeastern regions of the country and India has also received praise for its extensive anti-AIDS campaign.
