The Positive Calendar 2012

The Positive Calendar is out now. To order you copy, please write to us at friendsofshanker@gmail.com They are priced at Rs. 100 each and has been designed by our dear friend Dipang.

Observance of World AIDS Day 2011 - A report

Date: 1st December 2011

Shanker Foundation DjNP+, District AIDS Prevention Control Unit (DAPCU), and Darjeeling NGO network, together with fourteen other members of Darjeeling NGO network came together to observe the World AIDS Day at Rink Mall.
The introductory speech was given by Mrs. Sona Rana Subba by inviting the guests on the stage namely, Mr. Suman Das Pradhan, Secretary of Red Cross Darjeeling, Mr. Dhurba Chettri, District Programme Manager of DAPCU, Mrs. Anuja Ghaley, President of NGO network, Mr. Shanker Mani Rai of Shanker Foundation. Following that Mrs. Anuja Ghaley, President of Darjeeling NGO Network welcomed the dignitaries and members present. She gave the brief details about the Darjeeling NGO network which is the collective of fourteen member organizations working in diverse fields in the Darjeeling Hills which is formed for building sustainable Darjeeling Hills through networking, relationship building and sharing of expertise.

Mr. Shanker Mani Rai, Secretary of Shanker foundation DjNP+ informed the gathering about the transfer and prevention of HIV/AIDS. He gave the brief background of the Shanker foundation. He also highlighted the total figure of positive members who has been registered in the Shanker foundation. He said “I am grateful to share the news about the hospice land (Rehabilitation Center) which has been released from the M.P fund hosted by Mr. Jaswanth Singh and the construction programme of which has been started in Singamari. The main reason for the formation of Rehabilitation centre is to provide the accommodation and treatment facilities for the HIV infected victims who have been abandoned by their families and the societies. Discrimination is another vital factor that the AIDS victims are facing in their day to day life, due to which HIV positive people are not being able to disclose their status and cannot access treatment.”

The Positive Calendar 2012 was launched by the chief guests and the dignitaries. The calendar was sponsored by NGOs, business houses, individuals to support the Darjeeling network of positive people. All the proceeds of the sale of the calendars will go towards the activities of Shanker foundation Darjeeling Network of Positive People.

Mr. Dhurba Chettri, District Programme Manager of District AIDS Prevention Control Unit highlighted the theme of this year that is “getting to zero “. He stated,” the new HIV infection, HIV related discrimination, HIV related death should be brought to zero. Planning needs to be done and service facility should be strengthened in order to bring those things into Zero”.According to his information there are seven ICTC (Integrated Counseling Testing Centre) in Darjeeling, two in Darjeeling district hospital, one each in Kursoeng, Kalimpong, Mirik, Bijanbari. The places which are lacking such facilities will be soon provided with mobile ICTC within 15th of December. He also declared that they had sent the volunteers in different areas of Darjeeling Hill for Red Ribbon Campaign and the fund raised from that campaign will be given to the Shanker foundation for the care and support service of HIV infected members.

Mr. Suman Das Pradhan, Secretary of Red Cross stated that Darjeeling holds the second place in West Bengal in HIV/AIDS infection. He said, “Urban people lack awareness compared to rural areas. Their hesitation in blood donation and testing are seen whereas the people from rural area come to him and requests him for blood testing programme in their areas. Awareness of HIV/AIDS should reach to the adolescents and practical and theoretical knowledge is necessary for them to be aware. Awareness campaign should be done in various Higher Secondary schools and colleges.”He also explained the five mandatory blood tests needed after which one can donate the blood. Counseling to the HIV infected should be done and their confidentiality should be maintained. Lastly he said “until and unless clients do not come forward it is impossible to bring it into zero.”

After the speech of Chief guests and dignitaries, pamphlets of 2012 were released by the chief guest. The inaugural session ended with the play performed by Vaishnavi production. In the play four characters contract HIV through the four routes of transmission and their issues and problems faced for their survival in society. A Stall for the HIV Bill Campaign was set up by the staff members of the foundation in order to make people participate on strengthening the Campaign Bill for the rights of HIV positive people. Another stall was also set up by the foundation where the positive calendar of 2012 was sold out fund raising as well as pamphlets on HIV/AIDS was distributed among the people. Kripa Foundation had also set up a stall to make people aware of Drug abuse and HIV.

The programme ended with music played by different bands like Laid Back, Baraka, Head Motif and Blues Buddies to create awareness among the youths.

At Kurseong:World AIDS Day service at Kurseong was followed by the Staff of Shanker Foundation, Mr.D.K. Subba supported by the staff members of Red Cross and Manas Bangla had set up the stall in front of the Sub-Divisional Hospital premises, the opening of which was done by the S.D.O of Kurseong from where Red Ribbon and the Pamplets of 2012 was distributed. Blood donation camp was also set up in the Kurseong Government College. The mobile awareness campaign through a van spread the message to a larger audience.

At Mirik:Two members from Shanker Foundation namely, Tulsi Rai and Pratap Rai went to Seyok Tea Estate, Tea Promoter of India, Mirik on their invitation, for observance of World AIDS Day 2011. They informed the people about the theme of this year “Getting to Zero” and “Red Ribbon Campaign”. They also shared information to the people on HIV/AIDS, stigma and discrimination faced by the people living with HIV/AIDS and IDUs. Important dignitaries of Mirik such as Managers, President & Secretary of the Community, School Teachers, Staffs of Health Department, and ANM of T.B. Hospital attended the programme.

At Siliguri: Shanker Foundation DjNP+ also observed World AIDS Day in Siliguri. WBVHA had organized programme in Siliguri in which foundation had set up a stall with WBVHA from where information on HIV/AIDS was passed out to the public. Shanker Foundation DjNP+ was also awarded with Certificate of Appreciation by the WBVHA on this day.

Reported by - Hari Chhetri