The Magh Mela is an annual Hindu festival held at the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers that attracts about 250,000 pilgrims each year. They spend the month-long festival living in campsites maintained by religious organisations, thus providing a perfect opportunity to carry out an awareness campaign about people living with HIV and TB.
On 24 January, as part of Project Axshya, 250 members of the Uttar Pradesh Welfare Network for People Living with HIV/AIDS Society (UPNP+) and other civil society partners held a silent walk through the 25-acre grounds of the Magh Mela. The theme of the walk was "Access to Treatment, Zero Stigma", and the marchers hoped to convey the message that even HIV-positive people can lead healthy active lives. They had slogans decorating their clothing and distributed over 10,000 leaflets and brochures to those attending the Magh Mela, including not only the pilgrims, but also the tea makers, sweepers, police and general merchants.
The objective of the awareness campaign was to spread correct and complete information about HIV and TB at the mass gathering. A key focus was to help eliminate the stigma and discrimination faced by HIV+ people and to promote an optimistic view about those living with HIV and TB.
UPNP+, which is a community-based, non-profit organisation, run by and representing the needs of people living with HIV/AIDS, found the HIV and TB awareness campaign highly effective, increasing the visibility of the network and its mission.
Project Axshya is a multi-year TB control initiative being managed by The Union, World Vision India and the Government of India with funding from the Global Fund.