Getting to Zero !

 

World AIDS Day is held on 1 December each year and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died. World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day and the first one was held in 1988.

Where did the idea come from?

In 1991 – a decade after the emergence of HIV – a group of 12 artists gathered to discuss a new project for Visual Aids. They were photographers, painters, film makers and costume designers, and they sat around in the shared gallery space in New York's East Village.

After a short brainstorm they had come up with a simple idea that later became one of the most recognised symbols of the decade - the red ribbon, worn to signify awareness and support for people living with HIV. The artists were inspired by the yellow ribbons tied on trees to denote support for the US military fighting in the Gulf War. Pink and the rainbow colours were rejected because they were too closely associated with the gay community, and they wanted to convey that HIV went beyond the gay community and was relevant to everyone.

Red was chosen as it is bold and visible – symbolising passion, a heart and love. The shape was chosen simply because it was easy to make and replicate – anyone can make one by just cutting out a piece of ribbon, looping it around your finger and pinning it on. 

  The first Year Mechanical Engineering Students of AJCE  can also showed their support for people living with HIV on World AIDS Day by wearing a red ribbon and even showing the world that they too are part of this wonderful cause, the international symbol of HIV awareness and support.

They also performed a MIME relating to the idea they tried to spread. Fr. Principal Inaugurated the program. K Sreekumar, (HoD, ME) presided over the function