Al Ngullie
December 1
MON (MExN): The people of Mon joined the rest of the world in observing World AIDS Day starting the day with a motorcycle rally “Wheelers Rally” which was flagged off by Honji Konyak, SDO(C) Mon Sadar, today. The bikers started off from the Mon DACC complex and culminated at the local ground Mon Town.
Speaking as the Chief Guest at the occasion, MLA Taka Masa said that with environmental degeneration, global warming and international security concerns, HIV/AIDS had emerged as one of the most taxing problems facing the world today. He said that all the people, individuals or organizations have a great role to play in stemming the advance of HIV/AIDS. Saying that while ‘Heaven and Hell’ was important he urged the Church to ‘come out of the shell’’ and preach ‘social gospel’ particularly in the case of HIV/AIDS.
He also took note on the importance of political will and informed on the various committees and forums formed by the state government to fight against the pandemic.
Two HIV positive persons, one male and the other a widow shared their stories as infected people and urged the church and the communities to help and care for them instead of discriminating them.
Miss Mon 2005 Honlei shared to the gathering the significance of the Red Ribbon. In her speech Honlei said that it was first adopted as the international symbol for HIV/AIDS in 1991 and worn to show compassion and care for people living with HIV/AIDS. Wearing the Red Ribbon may only be symbolic but we can turn it into a movement against the disease. “Anyone can make the red ribbon and wear it. It can also be worn on any day of the year, not only on world AIDS Day. When you wear the red ribbon, people will ask you questions and that will give you the opportunity to spread the information about HIV/AIDS. It will enable you to break the silence around HIV/AIDS, to fight against Stigma and discrimination and to speak for those who are living with the HIV virus”. “Every one of us wearing the red ribbon here today is a symbol of Hope. May this hope multiply in our land!” she said.
Speaking on this year’s theme, Aküm Longchari, Managing Director, The Morung Express, said that without political will it would be harder to tackle the scourge of HIV/AIDS and as such required not only the collective participation of the people but also a conscious political will “to discern courage and reasoning of the collective imagination to propel us into proactive action against AIDS.” “Today is an opportunity to re-examine ourselves to reflect on the effort and struggle against HIV/AIDS.” He urged the people not to suppress those living with HIV/AIDS but instead support them live life in dignity.
Earlier, Ashim Nyamto chaired the program. Others who took part in the program were Fr.Sam, Don Bosco. Mon who said the invocation while the KBCM, students of St Mary’s Mon, and the Mon Theological College each presented two numbers that told of hope and redemption. A cultural troupe from the KNSK also performed a cultural dance. The gathering was also favored with a special song from The Wave (Dream Café) in dedication to those who had lost their lives to HIV/AIDS. Short speeches were also delivered by LT Konyak DC and Chairman DACS, Mon, L Methjen Konyak, Youth Secretary KBBB and Phangnon on behalf of COLA. The evening wound up with a concert staged by the Dream café band, Kohima ‘The Wave”.
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