Kohima, December 6 (MExN): In a delayed World AIDS Day message, Governor of Nagaland PB Acharya has made a call to stop being complacent and rather come together to create more awareness so that the affected people can have easy access to life-saving HIV treatment, end new HIV infections. He also called to stop discrimination so that people living with HIV and those vulnerable to infection are able to lead healthy, stigma-free lives.
Acharya expressed concern that India’s HIV and AIDS epidemic is at a turning point. The country currently ranks third in the world, with an estimated 24 lakhs living with HIV, whereas Nagaland state continues to top in the HIV general prevalence rate in the country with 1.29% and third in the adult prevalence rate at 0.78% as per the HIV Sentinel Surveillance (HSS) 2014-15 data, he stated.
The Governor and his wife also extended gratitude to all those “who are working tirelessly for the welfare of the less fortunate and those in need of hope.” The Governor however lamented that “unfortunately our State (Nagaland) and Mizoram is identified as the capitals of HIV. With our small population, the number of affected young boys and girls number compound to our population, ratio wise is alarming.”
He iterated that all the NGOs, religious organisations, and parents have to take serious note and address the cause of the problem and eradicate the infection. “We are in 21st Century and effective medicines are available to check HIV. Let us take oath that we will all unitedly wage war on this,” the Governor asserted.
Contribute generously towards Armed Forces Flag Day Fund: Gov
Kohima, December 6 (MExN): On the occasion of Armed Forces Flag Day, which is observed throughout the country on December 7, Governor of Nagaland PB Acharya has extended warm greetings and best wishes to all the members of Armed Forces, ex-servicemen and their families. The day is intended to honour the martyrs, to salute the veterans and the brave and to enhance the traditional bonds that exist between citizens of the country and the Armed Forces, Acharya stated in a press release. It is celebrated to enlist the public co-operation and support for three basic purposes – rehabilitation of families of battle casualties, welfare of servicing personnel and their families and resettlement and welfare of ex-servicemen and their families in general, he added.
The Governor especially congratulated the Armed Forces personnel deployed in the State of Nagaland for their “exceptional contribution to the peace and security of the people and the unity and integrity of the Nation.”
On the occasion, he further appealed to all citizens to contribute generously towards the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund, which he said will go a long way in supplementing the effort of the Governments for welfare of war widows, disabled soldiers and the ex-servicemen and serving soldiers.
“It is also our bounden duty to impart skill education like nursing, physiotherapy and driving etc for which we have to raise social corpus fund from voluntary donation by empowered citizens of Nagaland. We should also respect and take care of the Veer Naris (widows) and their children and give them high respect for their sacrifices for the security of our Country,” the Governor stated.
