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| Innovative AIDS Awareness Programme launched for Gujjars in J&K | | | Early Times Reporter
Yusmarg | July 13
A fourfold programme was launched here today to campaign among the "Nomadic Tribes", focusing on Gujjars and Bakerwals of Jammu and Kashmir, in order to have a awareness among them regarding vulnerable diseases including HIV AIDS. The drive was started by Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation, a National Organization working on Tribes India for Scheduled Tribe nomadic Communities keeping in view the lowest knowledge about deadly diseases and sexually transmitted infections in the State
Tribal Gujjars constitute 20 to 25 per cent population of the State have very negligible access to modern health care facilities in the Jammu and Kashmir and there is high vulnerability among youth and those who come into contact with non-tribal populations, said Dr . Javaid Rahi, National Secretary of Tribal Foundation here at YUSMARG , 85 km from the summer capital of the State while launching the programme among Nomad Gujjars residing in the Forest areas .
He said that we have already initiated process of fourfold awareness programme in Gojri –the language of nomad Gujjars by giving an important role to oral tradition and folk-poetry, poster making and folk-theatre having indigenous settings throughout the tribal areas of the State adding that we are beginning an innovative approach to vulnerable diseases focusing on HIV AIDS prevention based on the use of folk artists, story tellers , folk-painters and theatre performers for the purpose.
"We hope that the awareness through Folk medium will prove powerful and variable to counter the threat of deadly diseases among the tribal population of the State", He added
He said that Gujjars are having a very low literacy rate and various schemes launched government do not reach to the tribal people therefore in order to create awareness among the nomadic people and make them health conscious and protect them from deadly deceases like HIV AIDS, Hepatitis, Jaundice, Malignancy , Carcinoma, and water borne deceases etc our organization has launched it movement with the help of some community volunteers who shall carry forward the movement in the far-flung and in accessible areas of the State.
"Being tribals nomads they are not much expose to various awareness programme . They are having shyness to discuss their disease and to overcome this phenomena Tribal Foundation, besides folk medium , is also using religious and community contacts to educate them about ailments, Dr. Rahi said adding that in addition to above the foundation is also in the process to frame various groups of "Tribal Gujjar Doctors" who shall be visiting on voluntary basis to Gujjar areas for educating the nomads in their mother tong about health care and the programmes launched from time to time. We will provide all type of logistic support to doctors of other communities as well who knows Gojri language.
"To begin with the movement has been launched in Jammu and Kashmir and its field of activities will be gradually extended in 11 States which includes Rajasthan, Punjab, Gujrat, Harayana,Delhi, Madhiya Pardesh, Utter Pardesh, Himachal Pardesh, Utter Anchal, having a substantial chunk of Gujjar population" , Dr Rahi said.
The tribal Research and Cultural Foundation has decided to put all the information and other available data about the project on its website www.jktribals.co.cc and www.jktribals.page.tl so that other originations of worlds who are working may fallow it, Dr. Javaid Rahi said. |
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