Marine Drive, one of the most iconic facades of Modern day India, known for Its 19th centuyVictorian architecture, complemented with the famed Art Deco architecture of the 1930s.A interplay of the old and the new. A fitting venue for the event organized celebrating World Aids Day. A day dedicated in expressing solidarity towards the victims of AIDS and removing misconceptions regarding the disease. A day in remembrance of lost lives and a day for rehabilitation of AIDS victims and normal and productive members of the society. Like the buildings of Marine Drive, a interplay between the old misconceptions, myths and fears versus embracing the new ideologies, changing our perception towards these victims. GOALS OF THE EVENT 1)Raise awareness among the general populace and medical students about rehabilitation and reintegration of victims into society 2)Awareness about mode of onset,spread of disease and pathogenesis aimed at A)Reducing new infections B)Increasing access to care/health outcomes for HIV victims 3)Reduce HIV related disparities in occupation and standard of living 4)Inspiring the participants to develop schemes with national level impact which will help carrying the beacon forward. SIGNIFICANCE: Awareness programmes regarding HIV/AIDS hold special significance in a developing country like India.An approximate 2.39 million of the population suffer from some stage of the disease,making India the country with the third largest affected population in the world. A significant decline has been observed due to aggressive national health programmes but further work needs to be done in areas of awareness.A recent survey found declining trends in wearing a condom among middle aged men might be a strong contributary factor for the disease. DESCRIPTION OF THE EVENT Chief event - The event organized by the SCORA committee of MSAI features a marathon taking place covering a distance from the beginning of Marine Lines to Nariman Point, an approximate distance of 3 km. Participants: A target population of 100 individuals chiefly composed of undergraduate medical students supplemented by regular joggers on Marine Drive. Incentives for participation 1)Free T-Shirts featuring the RED RIBBON LOGO and MSAI/SCORA promotional logos. 2)Printed MSAI mugs for the winner,runner up and 2nd runner up. 3)Distribution of red ribbons among participants and volunteers. 4)Certificate authenticating participation for the noble cause. Particulars of the Marathon 1)Registration desks at the beginning involving registration and database collection.Marathon runners provided with unique identity numbers and T-Shirts distributed. 2)Checkpoints in the middle providing refreshments(free water/glucose supplements). Stamp of identification for half marathon completion. 3)Desks at the end of the Marathon providing refreshments and deciding winners. Distribution of prizes to be held shortly. Post Event Interactive Sessions 1)Extensive and widespreaad use of the RED RIBBON SYMBOL involving distribution of red ribbons to participants and volunteers. 2)Life sized cut outs of the symbol allowing participants to take pictures and providing an interactive yet enjoyable way to raise public consciousness. 3)Formation of Human Chain/Solidarity March to express our concern towards HIV positive patients.A similiar chain in which participants align themselves to form the RED RIBBON SYMBOL shot from the ramparts of the iconic Art Deco buildings will help generate greater social and print media coverage taking AIDS awareness to greater levels.

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