World AIDS Day Rally and Seminar
Youth Must
Stay Away from Glamour of Illicit Sexing and Drugging. Dr Bains
By Dr Raghbir
Singh Bains
Chandigarh, Dec. 05, 2008
Gurmeet Singh
Pathankot-Punjab (India) (Report by Gurmeet Singh Chandigarh):
AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is a chronic illness
caused by infection with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). It
is a fatal and non curable disease. Anybody can get AIDS from
use of even one contaminated needle or one sexual act with a partner
who has HIV/AIDS. HIV infection is preventable. Despite growing
understanding and awareness, HIV infection is a serious threat
to both heterosexual and homosexual teens through sexing and drugging.
HIV is transmitted through exchange of certain bodily fluids such
as blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk. To produce
an infection, the virus must pass through the skin, blood or mucous
membranes into the body. However, HIV-AIDS is not a contagious
disease. It is a myth that the disease can be attracted by sharing
clothes with the infected, sharing toilet, using common towel,
living in the same house or biting by mosquito.
There is an alarming rise in the menace of drugs and HIV-AIDS
world over. India is right on the pin target of this deadly disease.
It seems as if most people are just burying their heads in sand
and have long been silent about HIV/AIDS. Such silence and complacency
is dangerous since HIV/AIDS does not respect any religion, cast,
colour, creed or culture. Taking all these aspects into consideration,
as a step ahead, an awareness rally and seminar was organized
by Sri Sai Technical Complex Badhni, Pathankot (Punjab-India)
to provide first hand information to the general public, students
and staff about the menace of HIV-AIDS epidemic. The huge rally
on motorcycles and motorcades was addressed and flagged off by
Hon. Minister of Transport Mr. Mohan Lal.
Dr. Raghbir Singh Bains a social activist from Canada, an AIDS
researcher and a trained counselor of drug addiction was the key
note speaker at the seminar. While speaking at the seminar, Dr
Bains said, “Abusive drugs are worst enemy of the society.
Licit and illicit drugs are killing people all over the globe.
AIDS is a fatal disease and its bomb is ticking over the head
of Asian and African countries. Around 45 million patients are
suffering from the deadly disease of HIV-AIDS in the world. More
than 15,000 patients of AIDS are dying every day and thousands
are born with this disease with the ray of morning Sun. Unfortunately,
the widows and children of the dead do not get social acceptance
in the society anywhere in the world. Their health is not considered
important because of the paucity of funds and proper commitment
of government agencies towards prevention. Neglected they die
in their homes untreated. Because this disease is not curable
hence abstention and prevention are the only solutions”.
Dr Bains further said that Drugs and AIDS are brutal monsters
that have killed hundreds and thousands of lives in India and
abroad. AIDS is a high risk disease and a serious epidemic which
is said to have been started from either Africa or America. Its
first case was detected during1981 in the world. It was first
detected in India from Chennai in 1986. According to estimates
India is now home to 30-35 Lacs of people suffering from this
disease. Punjab reels under the pressure of 60-70,000 patients
in this respect. The disease has now engulfed the world all over.
It kills indiscriminately. It is an evil-omened experiment of
illicit sexing and contaminated drugging which carries death sentence.
Young boys and girls between the ages of 15-24 years are more
vulnerable to this killer disease. Especially the youth, commit
evils under sway of emotions by using drugs. The epidemic is invisible
to them. While developing sexual contacts before marital and extramarital
relationship, they are not able to comprehend fully the extent
of their exposure to the deadly risk. Unfortunately, the youth
are becoming easy prey to the disease which is not curable in
the world so far.
Dr Bains urged upon the public, especially young students to ‘say
no’ to the peerpressure and to stay away from glamour of
drugs, contaminated syringes and illicit sexing. He cautioned
that drug abuse or premature or promiscuous sexual activity was
serious risk behaviour. Without preventive measures, the disease
would kill more staggering people. He motivated the youth to mend
high risk behaviour. Dr Bains further suggested the government,
socio-religious bodies, teachers, preachers and parents to take
immediate steps to raise awareness and educate masses about the
deadly evils before anything serious happens. To give visual experience
on the globlal epidemic to AIDS, the information was given through
multimedia system by using information technology. Answers to
the frequently asked questions / myths on Drugs and AIDS were
also given.
The initiative by Mr SK Punj Chairman of Sri Sai Technical Institutes
Pathankot was aimed at spreading awareness on drugs, ongoing prevention,
reducing barriers to early diagnosis of HIV / AIDS infection and
increasing access to quality medical service amongst students
and general public. Hon. Minister Mohan Lal urged upon the opinion
makers of the society to campaign against HIV-AIDS and encourage
people at risk to get medically tested. S. Naranjan Singh Dhesi
Dean introduced the speakers including Principal Dr Mukesh Mahajan,
Olympian Charles Cornelius from Chennai, MD Tripta Punj and SK
Sood Dean. Dr. Raghbir Singh Bains haling from Canada was honoured
for doing selfless service to the global people.
