Crusading against AIDS

A two-day ''International inter-faith conference on prevention and control of HIV/ AIDS'' was recently organised by the Amity Humanity Foundation (AHF) and National AIDS Control Organisation, Government of India, at NOIDA. It was supported by UNAIDS, USAID, UNDP, World Bank, Indian Airlines and a host of other international and national organisations.Prominent leaders of different religions and faith attended the conference and emphasised that the onus is on them to spread awareness amongst people to live a life of fulfilment, since providing aid and succour to the poor, suffering and sick, is the basic tenet of all faiths.
In his welcome speech, founder president, Ritnand Balved Education Foundation, Ashok K Chauhan said that organising this conference was a step towards an AIDS free world taken on the occasion of the ''World AIDS Day''. The conference was inaugurated by Oscar Fernandes, union minister for Statistics and Programme Implementation. In his address, Fernandes urged all the stakeholders to play a major role in fighting the war for prevention and control of AIDS. Speaking on the occasion, member of parliament and chief guest, Amar Singh remarked that AIDS has to be tackled with a common goal and a missionary zeal since it cuts across all age, sex and religious barriers.
Recalling the havoc wrecked by HIV/ AIDS worldwide, counsellor to the president of the World Bank, Katherine Marshall said that no country has so far completely succeeded in fighting HIV/ AIDS and until the nations gain an upper hand, they should not allow the fight against HIV/ AIDS to slip from their top agendas. She added that the faith leaders can play an important role in this regard. The first lady of Nigeria, Stella Obasanjo, was moreover, present during the inaugural and valedictory session of the conference. She mentioned that it was indeed high time that India and other South-Asian countries face the challenge posed by HIV/ AIDS and discuss the central importance and demands of partnerships and the role of faith communities; access and treatment issues; gender dimensions and some of the ethical challenges that this epidemic presents.
Religious leaders, who addressed the conference, included Swami Agnivesh; Farida Vehidi of Bahai Faith; Reverend Vincent Concesso, Archbishop of Delhi; Sri Sri Ravi Shankar; Maulana Islami Saheb and Giani Bhai Ranjit Singh of Gurudwara Rakab Ganj, among others. After a long deliberation, the interfaith leaders adopted a ''Delhi Declaration'', which sent out the message that a comprehensive national response to HIV/ AIDS should be included in the power and influence exercised by religion and faith on the lives of the people. The Delhi Declaration concluded with a call to all religions and faiths to work towards strengthening the national response through partnerships.