CAN WE TRULY END HIV/AIDS IN INDIA?
SHIAMAK DAVAR AND OTHER ‘HEROES FOR ZERO’ SAY “YES, WE CAN!”
Davar, the award winning choreographer was one of the first to introduce contemporary jazz and western forms of dance to India. He made his break in Bollywood with Yash Chopra’s Dil to Pagal Hai and had not only won “Best Choreographer” for his work at the National Film Awards, but also the President’s National Award.
His career includes Taal, Kisna, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Dhoom 2 and the upcoming Dhoom 3.
To celebrate his partnership with End AIDS India, Shiamak Davar and his Victory Arts Dancers made a special appearance at High Street Phoenix in Lower Parel, Mumbai on the 6th of December.
The performance was free and the public were invited to attend and participate in the evening of music and dance.
Other key supporters for the event were venue partner High Street Phoenix and radio partner Big FM.
AIDS is a growing epidemic, which according to UNAIDS.ORG has claimed more than 36 million deaths since its discovery.
“End AIDS India” will harness people power nationwide to make HIV a priority issue for all.
In the week marking the 25th anniversary of World AIDS Day, it’s more clear than ever that for India to capitalize on recent gains made in addressing HIV, everyone must become involved in the effort to reverse the epidemic.
End AIDS India is a new initiative being shaped to provide the opportunity for citizens to become “Heroes for Zero” — zero new HIV infections; zero stigma and discrimination; and zero AIDS-related deaths.
End AIDS India is spearheaded by the International HIV/AIDS Alliance and five of its linking organisations across India: MAMTA Health Institute for Mother and Child, LEPRA Society, India HIV/AIDS Alliance, Humsafar Trust and Vasavya Mahila Mandali.
Between them they cover a range of issues pertaining to HIV, from the prevention of mother to child transmission to the protection and empowerment of especially vulnerable populations.
“India has made impressive strides in combating HIV, reducing the number of new infections by more than 50 percent over the past decade,” noted Roy Wadia, part of the core End AIDS India team. “But if we are to truly end AIDS, all of us must get involved, by supporting the excellent work key NGOs are doing and removing for once and for all the very real stigma that is still attached to HIV – stigma which remains at the heart of the challenge to ensure that people living with or affected by HIV are treated with compassion, understanding and dignity so that they can lead normal, healthy and productive lives. So come, join us. Believe. Be counted.”
“We can educate and empower through various ways, including entertainment,” explained Shiamak. “Serious messages can be imparted effectively through the arts and inspire millions to take action. I’m honoured to support End AIDS India which encompasses the great work many NGOs are doing to secure an AIDS-free future. Let’s make the impossible possible.”
Please visit: www.endaidsindia.org
