Dear all,

Greetings from SAATHII, Kolkata Office!

SAATHII Kolkata office, in collaboration with Madhya Banglar Sangram (support
group for sexually marginalized people) and Krishnath College organized a Mobile
Library Visit and community event to commemorate World AIDS Day on December 6,
2008 at the Krishnanath College, Berhampur.

SAATHII launched its Mobile Library Service in September 2007 to take
information closer to a larger number of people, NGOs and health service
providers who were not likely to have the time or resources to access the
reference library. The visit to Krishnanath College served the purpose
successfully.

The mobile library service acted as an extension of the reference library and
adopted an infotainment approach to spread information and generate awareness
about SRH and HIV issues.

The programme started with an introduction by Professor Rajarshi Chakrabarty and
Mr. Subhadip Roy of SAATHII. Dr. Somes Roy, the principal of the college gave
the inaugural speech. He encouraged students to have their attention towards
issues like HIV/ AIDS and appreciated SAATHII for such initiative. A Bengali
music video on HIV/AIDS 'Jiboner Jonyo' with silver screen celebrities of
Kolkata was screened first. Mr. Pintu Sekh from Murshidabad Network of Positive
(MSP+) spoke about his struggle for being a HIV positive person. Then a film on
HIV/AIDS named 'Shuru', the joint effort of SAATHII and Thoughtshop Foundation
was screened. The film was appreciated for covering many issues on HIV/AIDS.

The visit catered not only to the teachers and students, but also to the general
population. Around 95 people was in the programme. A good number of signatures
on campaign for HIV/AIDS Draft Bill was collected there.

Other organizations like Suprova Panchashila Mahila Udyog Samity, Palsapally
Unnayon Samity, Shristi for Human Society, etc participated in the programme and
they showed their concern and shared views regarding the issue. Ms. Seema
Sarkar, a cultural activist was present there to support the cause. She took
interviews of Mr. Subhadip Roy and Mr. Souvik Ghosh for 'Manusher Mukhomukhi
Manush', MANAS Bangla sponsored radio chat show on sexual health issues of
sexualy marginalized males inĀ Murshidabad.

Regards

Souvik Ghosh
Mapping and Networking Coordinator
Networking East Project
Solidarity and Action Against The HIV Infection in India (SAATHII)
229 Kalitala Main Road,Ā Purbachal (North)
Calcutta 700 078, West Bengal, India
033 2484 4835 (Landline)