Centre for Human Rights and Duties, PU commemorated National Legal Services Day
Centre for Human Rights and Duties, Panjab University commemorated National Legal Services Day by organizing an Interactive Cum Awareness Session on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights: Breaking Myths and Stereotypes on 8 November 2024.
Sh. Sunil Kumar Panghal, Red Ribbon Coordinator at Chandigarh, State AIDS Control Society along with Mrs. Teenu Chopra, Deputy Director at the Chandigarh State AIDS Control Society and Health Department of U.T. Chandigarh gave a detailed informative presentation to the students busting myths and dogmas that led to stigma and taboos around the disease affected victims which further led to a deeper societal boycott. He explained the difference between HIV and AIDS and busted beliefs where both conceptual terms were confused and not understood by the common man which led to an unreasonable paranoia. AIDS in this context assumed more of a behavioural problem which had only a single solution which was to talk about the ways of how the virus spread and led to the manifestation of disease. In India, the first case was detected in 1986 at Vellore in Tamil Nadu and the highest statistics of HIV stood in Northeast, where consequently the most effective awareness campaign was initiated, namely the needle exchange program to combating spread of HIV. Further, the helpline number of 1097 was endorsed which is 24/7 accessible to the public.Vibrant discussions between the research, scholars and the resource person took place. In the beginning of the programme Dr. Upneet Kaur Mangat, Co-ordinator of the Centre’s Legal Aid Clinic introduced the pertinent theme of the session of sensitization of the youth towards a more ‘responsible living’.
Prof. Namita Gupta, Chairperson, Centre for Human Rights and Duties, Panjab University, Chandigarh precisely concluded the academic-session insights while also affirming organizing such sensitization workshops with the students in the future too.
