The initiative “ACT  07” was inspired by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh who said  “We’ve got to put an end to the three “Ss’ – Silence , stigma and shame associated with HIV/AIDS. The social vaccine of “Education and Awareness’ is the only effective method of preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS.” Unfortunately, people living with HIV in India have to face both the medical challenges of this diseases as well as the social stigma and shame that accompany it.

ACT’ 07 is an initiative to create awareness and education about HIV/AIDS on an unprecedented scale.   ACT 07 was inaugurated with the flight of a symbolic airplane painted in bold red and with the image of a red ribbon, which is the universal symbol of solidarity against AIDS by the Honorable Aviation minister Praful Patel who is one of our most dynamic and progressive leaders and greatly admired.

As part of the inauguration event, there was a performance titled Dress Up Against AIDS, which used fashion and art to create discussion about AIDS.  Dress Up Against AIDS demystified the taboo surrounding condoms by portraying condoms in a healthy, interesting way.  It is important that there be a national conversation in which topics like condoms and their tremendous importance in stopping the spread of HIV /AIDS can be discussed in an open, uncontroversial manner.  The concept was introduced to me by David Gere who is the founder director of a program of the Art/Global Health Center at UCLA.

The key to reducing the spread of AIDS in India is information.  Only an aware populace can guard itself from the spread of this disease and only an aware nation can humanely care for those already suffering from this disease.  Information creates awareness.  By enlisting the support of leading personalities from entertainment, business, media, and politics, we hope to create a sense that this issue deserves a strong and unified national response.  These individuals are uniquely positioned to help us spread this message to a wider audience.  To dispel the silence, stigma, and shame surrounding AIDS, there must be consensus not only amongst the urban elite, but amongst every woman and man in every village and town across India.   This is why ACT’07’s impact depends entirely on the media’s support.  The local and national media has the greatest power to spread this important information.  By supporting the spread of accurate information regarding AIDS, and by doing it in an attention-grabbing manner, awareness about AIDS can be spread to every Indian.  Once people have accurate information, half the battle will be won.

Joining ‘ACT ‘O7’ are a whole lot of bold, bright and iconic Indians who are standing up through the medium of TV to raise awareness and thereby reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS and the stigma attached with the disease.
Let us keep working together to put an end to the three S’s surrounding HIV/AIDS. Let us break the silence, battle the stigma and banish the shame.

It’s time to act!