Port Blair, Aug 12: On the occasion of International Youth Day on 12th August National AIDS Control Organization (NACO)has launched the first phase of the campaign of New India @75 under the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ on virtual platform at 10.00 AM.
The Chief Guest of the occasion was Mr. Mansukh Mandaviya, the Union Minister, MoHFW. The Guest of honour of the event was Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar, the MoS, MoHFW. Other dignitaries present were Mr. Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary (H&FW) and Smti Arti Ahuja, Additional Secretary (Health).
Mr. Alok Saxena, Additional Secretary & Director General (NACO) welcomed all the dignitaries and participants.
There were over 75000 to 100000 youth from schools and colleges from all over India. School teachers, college faculties, participants from State and Union Territory AIDS Control Society and other organization also participated.
Mr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Hon’ble Union Minister, MoHFW, Chief Guest of the occasion launched the campaign. In his address he said that this campaign will create awareness for the whole nation about Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Tuberculosis (TB) and Voluntary Blood Donation. From today the youth should get equipped with the knowledge and information and take the responsibility to save life. Youth has the power to achieve any goal. Youth’s contribution in voluntary blood donation has been remarkable in India. There are more than 23 lakh HIV positive cases and more than 26 lakh TB cases in India and majority of them are the youth. Youth are the most vulnerable group and being the most reproductive section their health has to be taken care. Youth have the power to change. With the joint contribution of Youth and NGOs we can fight and win. Youth from now should take the responsibility of their area, their village and bring the change. In this 75 years of celebration of Independence, we need to decide our contribution for the next 25 years before the celebration of 100 years of Independence.
Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar, Hon’ble MoS, MoHFW, spoke about the theme of international Youth day “Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health”, and its significance. Theme highlights the crucial need for inclusive support mechanisms that ensure youth to continue to amplify efforts collectively and individually to restore the planet and protect life while integrating biodiversity in the transformation of food systems. Along with this, other challenges like climate change, healthcare, social inclusion, and conservation of biodiversity also has to be addressed. Today’s youth will carry the battle for tomorrow. Youth should be equipped with skills to lead a quality life. She also informed about the National Education Policy of Government of India.
Mr. Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary (H&FW) in his address said that, we believe that all those who have joined us today will be the best medium in this campaign to contribute in the elimination of HIV, Tuberculosis and promotion of voluntary Blood Donation. Youth have the power to change future if they have access to skills, health, decision making and real choices in life. Youth and young work force which is the most productive group, can contribute the best only if they are healthy. He also informed about the Rashtriya Kishore Swasthaya Karyakaram (RKSK) of Government of India for adolescence.
Smti Arti Ahuja Additional Secretary (Health) in her address said that by 2025 we need to eliminate Tuberculosis from India since Tuberculosis is an opportunistic infection in case of HIV positive people. She requested to do just four things, first is join the TB forums created in various gram panchayat, different blocks and different districts and become active participants. Second is become a TB champions who understands about this disease and try to clear the myths and misconception existing in the Society. Third is ‘Make’, make TB free campus, village, gram panchayat and districts. Fourth is ‘Give’, give knowledge, give hope and for that equip yourself with all information of HIV, TB and Blood donation.
The program was concluded by the vote of thanks proposed by Dr. Naresh Goel, Deputy Director General (NACO).
India will complete 75 years of Independence on 15 August 2022. ln this context, the Government of India desires to build the concept of New India @75 with efficient, transparent and accountable governance. ln the development of New lndia@75, every Department and institution is taking certain initiatives which would contribute in bringing change for the development of New India.
The National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) is contributing for the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ by engaging adolescents and youth of schools and colleges at the state and district level through online engagement and mobilization. The three awareness campaigns will be for HIV, TB and Blood Donation.
This campaign would inculcate safe behavioural practices and reduce the menace of stigma and discrimination related to HIV and comorbidities among youth and adolescents.
In Andaman & Nicobar Islands the campaigns of New India @75 under the ‘AzadiKaAmritMahotsav’, Andaman & Nicobar AIDS Control Society (ANACS)will cover 98 schools (Secondary and Senior Secondary Schools) of South Andaman and North & Middle Andaman District and all 13 Colleges/Institutes in a phased manner.
Competitions like Painting, Collage, Essay and Reels for social media will be conducted for the students of schools and colleges. The topics for the competition will include all aspects of HIV & AIDS, Blood Donation and Tuberculosis. It will be a year round activity marking days like International Youth Day, Voluntary Blood Donation Day, World AIDS Day, National Youth Day and World TB Day. All the competitions will be conducted following the COVID -19 protocols.
