— Photo: M. Vedhan

WHOLE-HEARTED PARTICIPATION: Volunteers at a candle light ceremony at Thiru V. Ka. Park in Shenoy Nagar in Chennai on Saturday.

CHENNAI: A collective of non-governmental organisations working among persons living with HIV/AIDS, sex workers and transgenders took part in a candle light ceremony held here on Saturday to mark the commencement of the Global AIDS Week of Action.

The campaign is aimed at ensuring quality treatment of and support for persons living with HIV/AIDS, especially in the State, according to A.J. Hariharan, chairperson, TamilNadu AIDS Solidarity Action (TASA).

He said persons living with HIV/AIDS were demanding that the Government provide nutrition supplements, along with antiretroviral drugs. Another important part of the campaign was to fight the discrimination against AIDS victims.

"More funds needed"

Esther Mariaselvam, programme manager, Action Aid India, said the campaign should end all human rights violations against the persons living with HIV/AIDS and women. More funds would have to be allocated to address the battle against the virus. The Government should come up with social security schemes for the persons living with the HIV.

Noorie, secretary, TASA, and A. Bhakthavatsalam, vice-chairperson, TASA, addressed the participants of the ceremony that was held in Thiru. Vi. Ka. Park at Shenoy Nagar.Actor Prashanth lit the first candle and inaugurated the campaign.

Over 150 people lit candles at Abhirami Mega mall on Sunday evening to mark the passing away of people with HIV/AIDS.

Positive Women Network (PWN+) organised the programme in association with Satyam Foundation, a corporate social responsibility (CSR) group of Satyam Computers.

S. Swaminathan, general manager, Satyam Computer, said: "Within the CSR group, we have a red ribbon club on AIDS awareness. We chose a mall as the young have misconceptions about AIDS. Satyam has an AIDS workplace policy against discrimination of HIV positive."

About 20 employees and their families were at the mall interacting with volunteers from PWN+.

A street play was also staged.

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