::  World AIDS Day 2007:

The MLFA observed the World AIDS Day on 1st December’ 2007 with elected representatives and the civil society organizations in the Legislative Assembly premises. Speaker Dr. S. Budhichanda Singh and MLA E Dijwamani Singh were the Chief Guest and the President respectively. The observance was supported by the  UNAIDS & Manipur SACS. More than 30 NGOs participated in the event.

Cabinet Ministers, MLAs, high ranking government officials, NGOs, Nurses, church leaders, school students and staff of Manipur Legislative Assembly took part in the programme, which received generous media attention.

In his welcome address, Secretary of Manipur Legislative Assembly T .Joute expressed optimism that with the formation of Legislators Forum on AIDS and the Imphal Declaration made on 30th June 2007, the fight against HIV/AIDS in the state will make a positive impact.

Dr. I. Ibohalbi Singh, Secretary of the MLFA highlighted the importance of working with the elected representatives, NGOs, CBOs and the people at large to mitigate the pandemic from the entire State of Manipur. Dr. H.Borajao, MLA expressed his strong belief that if the public leaders such as the Zilla Parishad members, Gram Panchayat Pradhans, Church leaders and village authorities take the lead role then the epidemic can be controlled up to some level.

The Chief Guest of the function, Dr. S. Budhichandra Singh, Hon’ble Speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly and Chairman of the Manipur Legislators’ Forum on HIV/AIDS (MLFA) said “We are all leaders and there is need to begin leadership from the family, community and village and it can help in reducing stigma and discrimination associated with the HIV/AIDS.”

E. Dwijamani Singh, MLA and Chairman, Manipur Pollution Control Board pointed out that honesty and dedication were needed in working for this humanitarian cause of stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS in the state.

After the function, the Speaker and Chairman of MLFA flagged off a massive rally from the premises of Manipur Legislative Assembly in the streets of Imphal.