Mumbai folks unite to create more awareness on World’s AIDS Day

Today is World’s AIDS Day and the ever vibrant city of Mumbai is doing its bit to spread awareness for the cause by hosting a number of cultural events.

High Street Phoenix and Vaayu, NMIMS ASM SOC’s national level festival, have organised a massive entertainment-for-awareness event at the courtyard.  It aims at reducing the myths and stigmas associated with AIDS. “The evening will witness a melange of diverse live acts by various artists such as ace guitarist Chandresh Kudwa, new-age rock band Block a Bus, acoustic band Circles and well-known Bollywood singer, Shaan,” explains Anna Bredemeyer, Vice President, Marketing, HSP.

“To raise awareness about the stigma faced by AIDS patients, ad campaigns made by students from across the world will be aired in between performances. The ads are going to be judged by noted adman Prahlad Kakkar,” she reveals.

Actor Amit Behl, also a part of the event, says, “I’d like to tell people to be aware. Read newspapers, read books, surf the net and find out the cause of this very disease, and try to make this world a better place to live in. Also, be progressive.” Music director Anu Malik also lends support. “We should be educated about HIV, its causes and prevention. I’ve been actively promoting this cause, in whatever little time I get.”

Film director Onir was slated to be the jury member at the AIDS awareness film festival Reels & Lives. “Cinema, literature and the arts in general can, and should, be used for what’s popularly known as  “education entertainment” — social messaging that’s woven in skilfully via platforms that reach wide audiences in an entertaining, non-lecturing way,” he says.

Also coinciding is the opening show of artist Vidya Kamat, who’ll be unveiling her solo show Wish I Had Stayed Home at the Guild Gallery tonight.