MASSIVE AIDS PREVENTION PLAN

New Delhi, 24 October 2005

New Delhi, October 25 (INFA):  HIV/AIDS is a monster, and if not challenged soon it has the power to reverse the socio-economic gains made by the country since independence, according to the Union Health Minister, Ambumani Ramadoss.

The Minister has stressed that the leap Indian economy poised to make, stands seriously threatened as the pandemic (HIV/AIDS) could reduce productive work force, increase social and medical costs in a way that would force diversion of budgets allocated for developmental programmes. 

Fighting AIDS is an extremely challenging task, which requires untiring efforts by the Government and the society at large and in particular the youth. 

The Union Government and several other organisations concerned with the prevention of the dreaded disease have taken various initiatives in this direction.

The Minister has disclosed that a unique mass mobilization campaign called “Red Ribbon Express” designed to traverse the length and breadth of the country will cover 180 stations and 40,000 panchayats.  It is expected to create over 1,00,000 trained youth volunteers to campaign against HIV/AIDS.

The pattern of two-way migration found in prime income generating population necessities that people are not only made aware of the risk in transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS but also equipped to deal with risk situations.

Condom use needs to be improved and widened.  Changing the mind set of service providers is also an important task in this, Ramadoss has recommended.---INFA

NRI CELL IN ANDHRA

Hyderabad, October 25 (INFA): Andhra Pradesh has decided to set up a cell in the United States to attract more investments from NRIs.

There is a big population of rich NRIs from Andhra Pradesh in the US and 50 per cent of them are top class professionals.  Most of them desire to contribute more for the development of the home State.

It may be added that the AP Development Council for NRIs in the US will act as an interface between the State and the NRIs.---INFA