Dharamsala, December 1: "I am accepted, stop AIDS, keep the promise", so read the campaign T-shirts distributed free today at the Tsuglakhang courtyard where a modest gathering was held to mark the World AIDS Day.

The event was organized by the CHOICE HIV Initiative, a Tibetan NGO, and supported by the exile Tibetan government's department of health, Dharamsala Tibetan Settlement Office (formerly Tibetan Welfare Office) Tibetan Women's Association, Kunphen Centre and Tibetan Volunteers for Animals (TVA).

A 'Run for AIDS' from Tsuglakhang to Bhagsu Nag temple and back was flagged off by Miss Tibet 2009 Tsering Choezom who made public her personal mission of eliminating HIV AIDS at the Miss Tibet pageant last year. The exile Tibetans, foreign tourists and local Indians took part in the short distance run that the organizers said was to create a general awareness about the deadly disease.

Choezom said the Tibetan youth must take responsibility in checking the disease from spreading in the Tibetan communities by adopting precautions. "We must not forget that a little mistake can ruin not just one's own life but also the lives of many others. We must realize that our short-term pleasure can prove deadly for us. Please use condoms."

According to CHOICE HIV Initiative, there are currently around 200 Tibetans infected with the HIV virus, and four Tibetans have died due to AIDS last year. Phunstok Choephel of CHOICE HIV Initiative said there is an apparent 'taboo' in the Tibetan community and also in other communities surrounding HIV AIDS. "We must not shy away from talking about sexual education and HIV AIDS, and we must integrate those already infected by the virus and help them fight it. Only then our society will be free of the virus."

Addressing the gathering, the acting secretary of the department of health Sonam Choephel Shosur expressed his department's concerns about the disease slowly taking toll on the Tibetan community and the need for the Tibetans to work together in combating the disease. The minister for health Chope Paljor Tsering also conveyed his concerns through a statement read out by Choephel. The department also announced free HIV checking at its hospitals.

A drawing competition was also held with HIV AIDS as the theme. Several people including school children took part in the competition.

The organizers went to various places in and around Dharamsala with pamphlets, posters, condoms etc later in the day to educate the local populace including Tibetans, Indians and foreigners about HIV AIDS.