New Delhi, Jan 06: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday chaired the first ever conference of media leaders from around the country on HIV/AIDS.
The meeting attended by 25 top executives from leading
television and print media houses stressed the need for
coordinated national response.
Hollywood actor Richard Gere, a frontrunner in spreading
awareness about AIDS worldwide along with top Indian
leadership attended the meeting.
In India over five million people have already been
infected with HIV, and the government said it would make
greater efforts to promote awareness, especially in rural
areas and among the young.
India's 5.1 million HIV cases are second only to South
Africa, where the disease is estimated to kill 600 people
each day.
Gere appreciated Singh's gesture saying that his
initiative was a great step forward.
"Clearly from five years ago to today is light years, the
fact that the Prime Minister of India is not only speaking
openly about HIV/AIDS but with the sense of importance that
it needs to be spoken. And with willingness and great
energy and passionate commitment to bring this austere
people together is a great statement," he said.
Health officials warn, unless steps are taken to contain
the disease, India's HIV infected population could overtake
South Africa by 2020.
Bureau Report
