Every year World AIDS day is celebrated on First December .This year also the world aids day was celebrated all around the world by organizing different programmes. The theme of this year’s World AIDS Day was “Take the Lead”, which mean each and every responsible individual of society must take the lead in fight against HIV. In Pokhara also it was celebrated by organizing various programmes. All the activities that were held in Pokhara to mark the world aids day were held under the banner of District AIDS coordination committee (DACC) and Western Regional HIV AIDS alliance (WRHA). This can be a good example for other districts in Nepal as well because, all the organizations working in the field of HIV/AIDS in Pokhara carried out all the programmes in a joint manner. This was also our effort to activate DACC and strengthen the coordination and collaboration in the field of HIV.

Press Meet: A press meet was organsied on 29th November 2007 at Hotel Deepsagar Chipledhunga to discuss with Medias in Pokhara about the current situation of HIV/AIDS and their role in its prevention. Those putting their special remarks in the programme were Chairperson of DACC Kedar Nath Sharma, senior journalist of Pokhara,  Narayan Karki, Western regional coordinator of NAPN Mr Suresh lama, chairperson of people struggle committee Mr Manoj Gurung, president of Naulo Bihani Raju Thakali and amongst the HIV infected women Mrs Mina shrestha. FHI/ASHA project western regional programme officer Mr Sujan Pandit highlighted about the global, regional and local situation of HIV/AIDS. The programme was jointly organized by Paluwa and NAPN.

Drawing Competition and Theme writing competition: A drawing competition was organized on 30th Nov 2007 with a theme of HIV/AIDS. Mr Bijaya Thapa Magar bagged first prize in the competition and Mr Yadav Gurung and Mr Shanta Bdr Rana respectively bagged second and third prizes. Similarly an Inter rehab theme/slogan writing competition was also organsied in which the IDUs undergoing treatment in different rehab centres of Pokhara had to write a slogan related to HIV and AIDS. In this theme writing competition Manish care foundation became the winner and counseling and treatment centre of Naulo Ghumti got consolation prize. The programme was organized by Naulo Ghumti Nepal. Some of the themes that came in the competition were- “My choice is prevention what is your’s?”  “If you share syringe you will get a super prize that is AIDS,”  æ;a} Pr cfO le ;+s|ldtx?sf] dfu, ;a} ;+s|ldtnfO k"uf]; Pcf/eLsf] efu æ etc.

Bike Ralley: A Bike Ralley was also organized on 30th November 2007 on the eve of World AIDS Day 07. The ralley began from tundikhel and made it’s way toward Siddartah Chowk, Chipledhunga, Mahendrapool, lakeside and finally ended in a mass gathering at Western Regional Hospital. The fuel expenses of all those who participated in the bike ralley was beared by Friends of Hope.

Candle Light Burning: In the premises of western Regional Hospital candle light were burnt in the shape of solidarity logo to remember all those who lost their life due to HIV/AIDS. The candle light burning was also attended by Dr Buddhi Bahadur Thapa, Medical superintendent of western regional hospital, Dr Basanta Tamrakar, Ms Bhagwati KC campus chief of IOM Pokhara campus and Mr Jhalak pd sharma Chief District Public Health Officer. Thanks to the student of Institute of Medicine, Pokahra campus and staffs of western regional hospital who actively took part is making a human representation of solidarity logo.

Concert: Concert was also organized in Damside on 30th Nov 2007 Friday evening to mark the world aids day 2007. Thanks to colleagues of Social Concern Group and Naulo Bihani who actively participated in the cultural programme and made it a grand success.

Foot Ralley and Public Address: On the chilly morning of First December 2007 a foot ralley was organized from Sabhaghriya chowk to Baglung Buspark. The ralley started at 7:30 am and reached it’s destination at 9:30 am. Besides the organizations working in the field of HIV/AIDS the ralley was also participated by civil society leaders, political leaders, players, cultural and religious leaders, school and college students and mothers group. Throughout its way the participants of the ralley shouted slogans related to HIV/AIDS prevention and also distributed pamphlets and flyers about HIV/AIDS. The foot ralley was followed by very short public address in which the representative of various organizations, political leaders and civil society leaders made their commitment to fight against HIV/AIDS. Some nutrition and hygienic kits were also distributed to the HIV infected children on behalf of Naulo Ghumti and Friends of Hope. And finally the formal programme ended at around 11:00 am.

Street Drama: After the end of formal programme of the morning the stage at baglung buspark was at complete rest till 3:00 PM. The informal programme of the evening session began with a street drama by Nabaprabhat cultural group. The title of the drama was s] xf] lhGbuL < (what is life?). The drama was a joint venture of Naulo Ghumti and Friends of Hope. The drama began with a short speech by Mrs Indira sharma chairperson of Naulo Ghumti Executive committee. The drama gave message to the public that “Being HIV positive is not an end of life but it is a beginning of new life”.

Cultural Programme: Immediately after the end of street drama cultural programme began with dance by members of Naulo Bihani. The dancers of Naulo Bihani enthralled the whole audience with their exhilarating dance. In between the dance items there were many other programmes like women activist Bhela, Prize distribution, Quiz contest, Album release, result of lottery, Felicitation of dignities etc. Finally the programme concluded with candle light to remember all those people who lost their life due to HIV/AIDS.

Conclusion: The HIV virus which was first discovered in 1981 A.D. has now ravaged the whole world. Today there is neither any country nor any sector which is immune to HIV/AIDS. According to latest UNAIDS estimates the total no of people living with HIV in the world is 33.2 million, this number was 29.0 million in 2001 AD. In the year 2007 alone there were 2.5 million new infections and 2.1 million people died of AIDS virus. In Nepal also according to National Centre for AIDS and STD control (NCASC) the total number of reported HIV cases till the end of Asoj 2064 was 10260. However experts say that this is just like a tip of iceberg and there are thousands of unreported cases living with the virus. It is estimated that there are around 72,000 people living with HIV in Nepal.

World AIDS day is an opportunity to spread the message about HIV/AIDS, to fight against stigmas and discrimination and to make the public aware about HIV/AIDS. People around the world have been celebrating this day since 1988 AD. In Pokhara also we celebrated this day by organizing various programmes. We are very excited by the response shown in this world aids day by different sectors like media, government sector, private sector, sports persons, school and college students and political parties. We hope this response will continue in the future as well. Finally thank to all those organizations who contributed a lot in making world aids day 2007 a grand success.

Sanjeev Raj Neupane
Programme coordinator
Naulo Ghumti Nepal
sanjeevmeister@gmail.com