- Title: INDIA: Hollywood star Richard Gere launches aids awareness campaign in India
- Date: 26th October 2005
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) RICHARD GERE, HOLLYWOOD STAR, SAYING: "One of the things that will destroy the potential of this country are diseases like HIV /AIDS. There is no question what has happened to Africa is diseases like this. China is facing the same problem former Soviet Union is facing the same problem. A disease like this can destroy the fabric of society. If you do n
- Embargoed: 15th November 2005 11:52
- Keywords:
- Location: India
- Country: India
- Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment,Health
- Reuters ID: LVA5K88JXSUWY9JU6D13HD5XQYY9
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3
- Story Text: Hollywood actor Richard Gere along with the Indian film fraternity announced the launch of a massive AIDS awareness campaign in southern Chennai city on Friday (October 21). The Heroes Project, as the campaign is called, will be launched by the Gere Foundation and socialite Parmeswar Godrej on Saturday (October22) in southern Hyderabad city. The show is being organised with the aim of involving the film fraternity to spread awareness and in the fight against HIV/AIDS. "One of the things that will destroy the potential of this country are diseases like HIV /AIDS. There is no question what has happened to Africa is diseases like this. China is facing the same problem former Soviet Union is facing the same problem. A disease like this can destroy the fabric of society. If you do not o the work now to keep it under control you are going to stop all of that potential being generated and actualised. It's very important now. This moment when you have to everything to look forward to as a country. This potential problem can destroy everything for you," said Gere, while addressing a news conference in southern Chennai city on Friday( October 21). According to the United Nations, India has 5.1 million AIDS cases, the largest number in the world after South Africa. Some reports estimate the number of people afflicted in India could reach 20 million by 2010. The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) leads to the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). There is no cure for AIDS but several drugs have been found to work against HIV. Although the government has launched a nationwide project to build AIDS awareness in India, the world's second-most populous nation, it is facing an uphill social and cultural battle because of the enormous stigma attached to the disease. The disease is spreading from traditionally high-risk groups, such as commercial sex workers, drug users and homosexuals, to large rural and urban areas with huge migrant populations.
- Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
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