Mandi Ahmedgarh, November 30
Dr Rameshwari Sharma and Dr S. R. Shahi, Directors of Kalyaan Helpline, an NGO engaged in curbing the spread of AIDS, have called upon social organisations of the area to join hands in fighting the menace that had claimed valuable lives across the world with India figuring as the worst sufferer.

Cautioning the authorities against the killer disease, the physician claimed that the state was sitting on “AIDS quake bomb”, having its epicentre in Ludhiana.

After addressing office-bearers of social organisations at MGMN Senior Secondary School here, Dr Rameshwari and Dr Shahi said that the state health authorities had failed to curb its spread.

Referring to observations made jointly by a state-run hospital, a multi-speciality hospital and medical college and an NGO of Ludhiana, the physicians claimed that more than 9,000 persons out of 9 lakh migrants labourers working in industrial units of the area had tested positive for HIV virus. At present, nearly 12 lakh migrant labourers were working in Ludhiana district only.

Quoting international reports, the doctors pointed out that more than 39.5 million persons across the world had been infected with the virus and 2.3 million of them were children.

According to the data, more than 8000 persons died of AIDS every day, with 600 persons acquiring the infection daily.

According to a report released by the American foundation for AIDS Research, there was only one qualified doctor to monitor 10,000 patients in India, said Dr Shahi. 

Ludhiana, November 30
The global theme for AIDS this year is “Accountability” and the slogan is “Stop AIDS, keep the promise.”

Dr Rajinder Gulati, consultant paediatrician at ESIC Model Hospital here says:"World AIDS Day was first declared by WHO in 1988. Since then, it has become one of the most important international day for raising awareness on a global issue."

Dr Gulati said AIDS was affecting mainly the youth. A majority of HIV infections (87.7 per cent) were in the age group of 15-44 years. The predominant mode of transmission of infection in the AIDS patients was through heterosexual contact (85.7 per cent), followed by injecting drug use (2.2 per cent), blood transfusion and blood product infusion (2.6 percent), perinatal transmission (2.7 per cent) and others (6.8 per cent).

According to UNAIDS, an estimated 39.5 million adults and children were living with HIV. Approximately 4.3 million persons acquired HIV this year and 2.9 million died due to AIDS-related illnesses.

Sub-Saharan Africa remained the epicentre of the AIDS pandemic. The number of HIV patients were rising in developed countries also. Although improved access to treatment is estimated to have averted 250,000 to 350,000 deaths between 2003 and 2005, globally, anti-retroviral drugs still reached only one out of five patients.

Ludhiana, November 30
Raekot Public School secured 301 points to bag the overall trophy in the XVth Ludhiana Sahodaya Schools Complex Athletics Meet which concluded at GGN Public School, Rose Garden, here today. Hosts GGN Public School accumulated 192 points to finish runner-up while GNPS, Mullanpur, with 162 points stood third.

Mr D.R. Yadav, Regional Officer, CBSE, Panchkula gave away the prizes. Over 500 boys and girls from Ludhiana district schools affiliated to the CBSE competed in the three-day meet.

The following boys and girls were declared best in different age categories: boys (u-19) - Rohit of GGN Public School; girls (u-19) - Parminder Kaur of Raekot Public School; boys (u-16) - Harpreet Singh of GNPS, Mullanpur; girls (u-16) - Harpreet Kaur of Raekot Public School and Sristhi of KVM School, Ludhiana; boys (u-14) - Himanshu of GRD Academy, Amandeep of SKSS International Public School, Sarabha and Dinesh of SKSS International Public School, Sarabha; girls (u-14) - Jaspreet Kaur of Sutlej Public School.