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| India Denim Day 2008 |
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Denim Club India
has constituted 1 December as India Denim Day, to coincide with the World
AIDS Day, with the objective of supporting and promoting HIV and AIDS
Awareness.
The first India Denim Day was organized on 1st of December, 2008 in
FIEO Auditorium located at Niryat Bhawan, Rao Tula Ram Marg, New Delhi. The
event was hosted by the Denim Club of India in a partnership with Sahara
House (Sahara Centre for Residential Care & Rehabilitation). J D Institute
of Fashion Technology made a significant contribution in the event by way
of the T-Shirts designed by its students, which were worn during the
first-ever ramp-walk by people from the community. |
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| India Denim Day 2008
- A Report |
India Denim Day Campaign is
the first conscious effort of public-private partnership, supported by the
textile, apparel and retail industry. A judicious mix of people both from
the development sector and the corporate world were present on the
foundation day of the campaign on 1st December, 2008. The effort was to
raise awareness amongst the civil society and to reduce stigma and
discrimination towards People Living with HIV (PLHIV) and promote `Living
Positive` amongst those already infected. In this process there were
testimonials by PLHIV who spoke openly about their status and their
adaptations of means and ways that lead to `Living Positive`. A panel of
experts shared their thoughts and views with the audience on 'Living
Positive'.
The foundation day also showcased a collection of T-Shirts carrying
messages on `Living Positive`, which were worn during the ramp walk. The
other high-lights were a skit on HIV & AIDS Awareness, prize-distribution,
felicitations, and the screening of a short-film. You can view the
photographs of the event in the online photo-album. |
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 Panel
Discussion on Living Positive
The program started with a panel discussion on Living Positive. The discussion was moderated by Ms.
Lipi Choudhury from UNODC. The panel comprised of:
- Ms. Gayatri Moorthy, Michigan University of Illinois
- Ms. Tripti Tandon, Lawyers Collective
- Ms. Shalini Singh, Sharan
- Mr. Francis Joseph, Sahara House
- Mr. Mike Tonsing, DNP+
Ms. Choudhury asked the panelist each to share what Living Positive
meant to them. The discussion was then opened up to the audience who were
given the opportunity to ask questions to the panelists. |
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 Skit
on HIV & AIDS Awareness by Salaam Baalak Trust
The audience was entertained and educated by a skit performed by the kids
of the street play team of Salaam Baalak Trust an NGO that works on HIV
awareness, prevention, care & support in Delhi.
The skit highlighted
prevention of HIV and some of the issues faced by People Living with HIV
and AIDS. |
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 Testimonials
by People Living with HIV
There were testimonials by four individuals from the Sahara Community
living with HIV.
Two men, a woman and a transgender woman spoke movingly
to the audience about their experience living with HIV and what living
positively meant for them. Their words and their courage to stand up and
speak brought a message of inspiration to all those present.
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 Ramp-walk
by People From The SAHARA HOUSE Community
The message of hope and Living Positive continued in a ramp walk performed
by members of the Sahara House Community. Nearly all the participants were
clients or former clients of Sahara who had dealt with HIV and substance
abuse but were now working and living positively.
Everyone who walked the ramp was wearing a t-shirt carrying a message on Living Positive. The t-shirts were
specially designed for this occasion by the students of JD Institute of Fashion Technology.
Rajesh Dudeja, the Founder of Denim Club India, also walked the ramp wearing a t-shirt from the same collection. |
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 Prize
Distribution and Felicitation
Prizes were distributed to the winners of the debate and poster
competitions that were held at DPS Mathura Road, Eicher School, Faridabad
and Sri Venkateswara College, South Campus, New Delhi. The students of JD
Institute of Fashion Technology were also given Certificates for
participating in the t-shirt design competition.
The posters, bearing messages about HIV, were displayed in the foyer area.
Certificates of appreciation were also given to many of the
volunteers and supporters who assisted in the execution of the campaign in
thanks and acknowledgement for all their contribution and hard work.
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The program also included
screening of Blood Brothers, a short film on HIV and AIDS made by
the renowned film-maker Vishal Bharadwaj, as a part of the AIDS
Jaago Project. Funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the
four films of AIDS Jaago project are the brainchild of Mira Nair.
Closing the event was a live rock show by the Sahara House Band. |
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