World AIDS Day on the first of December, is not just about raising money, but also about fighting the disease and prejudice, by spreading awareness.
World AIDS Day themes
2006 - Stop AIDS; Keep the Promise - Accountability
2005 - Stop AIDS; Keep the Promise - Make the Promise
2004 - Women, Girls, HIV and AIDS
2003 - Stigma & Discrimination
2002 - Stigma & Discrimination
2001 - I care. Do you?
2000 - AIDS : Men make a difference
1999 - Listen, Learn, Live: World AIDS Campaign with Children & Young People
1998 - Force for Change: World AIDS Campaign With Young People
1997 - Children Living in a World with AIDS
1996 - One World, One Hope
1995 - Shared Rights, Shared Responsibilities
1994 - AIDS & the Family
1993 - Act
1992 - Community Commitment
1991 - Sharing the Challenge
1990 - Women & AIDS
1989 - Youth
1988 - Communication
"Stop AIDS: Keep the Promise” is this year’s theme - an appeal to governments and policy makers to ensure they meet the targets they have agreed to in the fight against HIV and AIDS. This will be the focus till 2010.
World AIDS Day is organized by WAC (World AIDS Campaign). Before 2005, it was organized by UNAIDS.
The Red Ribbon is an international symbol of AIDS awareness that is worn by people all year round and particularly around World AIDS Day as a token of solidarity.
The red ribbon started as a "grass roots" effort, and as a result there is no official red ribbon, and many people make their own. It's easily done - just use any ordinary red ribbon and a safety pin!
The biggest battle against the war on AIDS is being fought in research laboratories. The latest entrant and possibly a more potent form of treatment over the conventional anti-retroviral drugs is Gene Therapy.
The results of experiments conducted by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania and VIRxSYS (a biotechnology firm based near Baltimore) published in the NY edition of The Economist of November, 9th 2006 are very promising.
If later trials confirm the early positive results, it could be the long-awaited anti-HIV vaccine.
3 Small things you can do to make a BIG difference:
Wear a red ribbon - Carry a few in your pocket to pin on your friends!
Protect yourself and your partner. If you are worried - get tested!
Make copies of articles like this one and send them to everyone you know - make it viral!
Copyright © 2006 Noël Gama
http://www.noelgama.com
The Last 48 hours of the 400-year Portuguese rule
While researching my book, "Saudades," I found nothing but one-liners like 'Daman was annexed to India on 19th December 1961' or 'The 400-year P'guese rule finally came to an end on December 19th, 1961' etc., about the sequence of events in the last 48 hours of P'guese rule.
If, even I, a five-year old then, retained some vivid images of those 48 hours, I am sure hundreds of our townsfolk would have more accurate and clearer accounts of their observations and personal experiences to share! So many questions left unanswered like who were the two children that were hit by a bomb while fleeing from the convent? If our generation does not record this, we would be depriving future researchers of valuable data.
As such, I intend soliciting first-hand/eye-witness accounts of what happened in the last 48 hours of the P'guese rule i.e., 18th & 19th Dec '61 and then publishing this anthology as a free ebook on my website.
Anyone who was present in Daman on 18-19th December, 1961 may send in about 2000-word write-ups of their observations, experiences, fears, etc., preferably by email, stating their name, age & contact address. In case... just in case... there is a photograph that was taken while running for cover, I promise it will make it to the cover of the ebook!
I eagerly look forward to receiving your submission.
Copyright © 2006 Noël Gama
http://www.noelgama.com
If, even I, a five-year old then, retained some vivid images of those 48 hours, I am sure hundreds of our townsfolk would have more accurate and clearer accounts of their observations and personal experiences to share! So many questions left unanswered like who were the two children that were hit by a bomb while fleeing from the convent? If our generation does not record this, we would be depriving future researchers of valuable data.
As such, I intend soliciting first-hand/eye-witness accounts of what happened in the last 48 hours of the P'guese rule i.e., 18th & 19th Dec '61 and then publishing this anthology as a free ebook on my website.
Anyone who was present in Daman on 18-19th December, 1961 may send in about 2000-word write-ups of their observations, experiences, fears, etc., preferably by email, stating their name, age & contact address. In case... just in case... there is a photograph that was taken while running for cover, I promise it will make it to the cover of the ebook!
I eagerly look forward to receiving your submission.
Copyright © 2006 Noël Gama
http://www.noelgama.com
Where Angels Tread..
A guide to the churches, chapels, grottos & crosses of Daman was released at a function in the Se Cathedral of Daman on Sunday, 30th July 2006.
The title of the guide is "Where Angels Tread.."
The photographs were supplied by Dr. Frank Gama and the script by Noel Gama of Noah's Mark Publishing.
Copyright © 2006 Noël Gama
http://www.noelgama.com
The title of the guide is "Where Angels Tread.."
The photographs were supplied by Dr. Frank Gama and the script by Noel Gama of Noah's Mark Publishing.
Copyright © 2006 Noël Gama
http://www.noelgama.com
Fort being invaded from the inside!
The lyrics of my song "..the old fort which could never be invaded from the inside, is now being invaded dear, righta from the outside..." proved prophetic.
According to a report of the national newspaper, Hindustan Times of 17th June 2006, a huge building has been constructed illegally in the fort near the old lighthouse. On visiting the site, I also discovered to my dismay that a public road has also been encroached upon by the builder.
I contacted the editor and was informed that further investigations follow and a TV channel will be covering the story next week.
Copyright © 2006 Noël Gama
http://www.noelgama.com
According to a report of the national newspaper, Hindustan Times of 17th June 2006, a huge building has been constructed illegally in the fort near the old lighthouse. On visiting the site, I also discovered to my dismay that a public road has also been encroached upon by the builder.
I contacted the editor and was informed that further investigations follow and a TV channel will be covering the story next week.
Copyright © 2006 Noël Gama
http://www.noelgama.com
Dia de Camoes celebrated in Daman with great success!
The Dia Nacional de Portugal, de Camoes e das Comunidades Portuguesas was celebrated in Daman on the 10th of June in the settings of the beautiful Mirasol Lake Resort in Small Daman.
The open-air program scheduled from 5.00pm to 7.00pm local time took off around 6.00pm to allow the hot summer sun to cool down in the Arabian Sea!
His Excellency, the Consul General of Portugal Pedro Cabral Adao gave the Welcome speech (in English) followed by a speech by Mr Dharmendra, the Development Commissioner of Daman and then by renowned local orator Mr. Gabriel Guedes who spoke in Portuguese. Mr. Sergio Mascarenhas de Almeida, Director of Fundacao Oriente, Goa also graced the occassion.
Besides the Development Commissioner, Dr. Modassir, Collector of Daman, Mr. Reddy, Conservator of Forests, Mr. Eurico Rosario, Chief of Police, Mr. Orlando Miranda, Asst Public Prosecutor, Mr. Vishal, President of the Daman Municipal Council were also present. Others present in the huge crowd were the priests, senior citizens Dr. J N Gama & Mr. Arjemiro Fernanes, the press, including Mr. Abhijit Mukhopadyay, Executive Editor of the popular UTS' VOICE.
At the beginning of the show, the National Anthem of India was played followed by that of Portugal.
The main theme of the Consul General's speech was about the friendly relations that now exists between India and Portugal.
The speeches were followed by a cultural show of traditional/folk dance and songs by 3 local groups viz., Bem Fica of Small Daman, Caravela of Big Daman and a new and upcoming group of Big Daman.
Certificates of merit were presented to students who successfully passed the various grades of the Portuguese language classes held in Daman.
The Consul General graciously conceded to my request to launch my website titled "Saudades! Folk Memories of Damao" at the end of the show by clicking the 'Publish' button on my laptop computer that activated Apple's iWeb application for uploading the site at http://web.mac.com/noelgama.
After the launch of 'Saudades,' the groups from Small Daman, Big Daman, the visitors from Goa and the Consul himself, all joined in onstage for the Grand Finale - dancing to folk songs of Damao!
Copyright © 2006 Noël Gama
http://www.noelgama.com
The open-air program scheduled from 5.00pm to 7.00pm local time took off around 6.00pm to allow the hot summer sun to cool down in the Arabian Sea!
His Excellency, the Consul General of Portugal Pedro Cabral Adao gave the Welcome speech (in English) followed by a speech by Mr Dharmendra, the Development Commissioner of Daman and then by renowned local orator Mr. Gabriel Guedes who spoke in Portuguese. Mr. Sergio Mascarenhas de Almeida, Director of Fundacao Oriente, Goa also graced the occassion.
Besides the Development Commissioner, Dr. Modassir, Collector of Daman, Mr. Reddy, Conservator of Forests, Mr. Eurico Rosario, Chief of Police, Mr. Orlando Miranda, Asst Public Prosecutor, Mr. Vishal, President of the Daman Municipal Council were also present. Others present in the huge crowd were the priests, senior citizens Dr. J N Gama & Mr. Arjemiro Fernanes, the press, including Mr. Abhijit Mukhopadyay, Executive Editor of the popular UTS' VOICE.
At the beginning of the show, the National Anthem of India was played followed by that of Portugal.
The main theme of the Consul General's speech was about the friendly relations that now exists between India and Portugal.
The speeches were followed by a cultural show of traditional/folk dance and songs by 3 local groups viz., Bem Fica of Small Daman, Caravela of Big Daman and a new and upcoming group of Big Daman.
Certificates of merit were presented to students who successfully passed the various grades of the Portuguese language classes held in Daman.
The Consul General graciously conceded to my request to launch my website titled "Saudades! Folk Memories of Damao" at the end of the show by clicking the 'Publish' button on my laptop computer that activated Apple's iWeb application for uploading the site at http://web.mac.com/noelgama.
After the launch of 'Saudades,' the groups from Small Daman, Big Daman, the visitors from Goa and the Consul himself, all joined in onstage for the Grand Finale - dancing to folk songs of Damao!
Copyright © 2006 Noël Gama
http://www.noelgama.com
Dia Nacional de Portugal
The Dia Nacional de Portugal, de Camoes e das Comunidades Portuguesas is being celebrated in Daman this year at Hotel Miramar, Devka Beach, Small Daman.
The program is scheduled from 5.00pm to 7.00pm local time and will be hosted by Senhor Pedro Cabral Adao, Consul General of Portugal.
Mr. Sergio Mascarenhas of Fundacao Orient will also be attending.
Copyright © 2006 Noël Gama
http://www.noelgama.com
The program is scheduled from 5.00pm to 7.00pm local time and will be hosted by Senhor Pedro Cabral Adao, Consul General of Portugal.
Mr. Sergio Mascarenhas of Fundacao Orient will also be attending.
Copyright © 2006 Noël Gama
http://www.noelgama.com
A Word that can launch a thousand pictures.
My quest for the meaning of the word 'Saudades' began on my sixteenth Birthday.
That evening, at the party, I found my mother looking in my direction but not at me, with an expression that reminded me of the Mona Lisa. I walked up to her and jokingly asked: 'A penny for your thoughts?'
She smiled fondly and said, 'Do you know what is Saudades?'
'Nostalgia. Oh! You have been thinking of the time you were sixteen,' I replied.
'Nostalgia is the English word but there is no word as profound, as intense, as urgent, as sweet' she said.
The dictionary defines 'Saudades' as a feeling of longing, melancholy, or nostalgia that is supposedly characteristic of the Portuguese temperament.
It could not have been more accurate right down to the use of the word 'supposedly' because the author of an English dictionary cannot feel the feeling and hence will never find its true meaning!
I hope my forthcoming book titled SAUDADES! FOLK MEMORIES OF DAMAO mitigates this feeling in those that have been fortunate enough to feel it and is of more use than a dictionary to those who are in search of it. When you find it, you will know because you will feel it deep in your heart and you will want to read the book again out of Saudades.
Saudades,
Noel
Copyright © 2006 Noël Gama
http://www.noelgama.com
That evening, at the party, I found my mother looking in my direction but not at me, with an expression that reminded me of the Mona Lisa. I walked up to her and jokingly asked: 'A penny for your thoughts?'
She smiled fondly and said, 'Do you know what is Saudades?'
'Nostalgia. Oh! You have been thinking of the time you were sixteen,' I replied.
'Nostalgia is the English word but there is no word as profound, as intense, as urgent, as sweet' she said.
The dictionary defines 'Saudades' as a feeling of longing, melancholy, or nostalgia that is supposedly characteristic of the Portuguese temperament.
It could not have been more accurate right down to the use of the word 'supposedly' because the author of an English dictionary cannot feel the feeling and hence will never find its true meaning!
I hope my forthcoming book titled SAUDADES! FOLK MEMORIES OF DAMAO mitigates this feeling in those that have been fortunate enough to feel it and is of more use than a dictionary to those who are in search of it. When you find it, you will know because you will feel it deep in your heart and you will want to read the book again out of Saudades.
Saudades,
Noel
Copyright © 2006 Noël Gama
http://www.noelgama.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)