Around 95% of people with HIV/AIDS live in developing nations. But HIV today is a threat to men, women and children on all continents around the world.
Started on 1st December 1988, World AIDS Day is not just about raising money, but also about increasing awareness, fighting prejudice and improving education. World AIDS Day is important in reminding people that HIV has not gone away, and that there are many things still to be done.

The Theme for World AIDS Day 2007

World AIDS Day was originally organised by UNAIDS, who chose the theme after consultation with other organisations. In 2005 UNAIDS handed over responsibility for World AIDS Day to an independent organisation known as The World AIDS Campaign (WAC).

The WAC’s slogan for their work is "Stop AIDS: Keep the Promise". This is an appeal to governments, policy makers and regional health authorities to ensure that they meet the many targets that have been set in the fight against HIV and AIDS, and especially the promise of universal access to HIV treatment, care, support and prevention services by 2010. This campaign will run until 2010, with a related theme chosen for World AIDS Day each year.

The 2007 theme, “leadership”, highlights the need for innovation, vision and perseverance in the face of the AIDS challenge. The campaign calls on all sectors of society such as families, communities and civil society organisations - rather than just governments - to take the initiative and provide leadership on AIDS.

Previous World AIDS Day themes

World AIDS Day themes over the years have included:

* 2007 - Stop AIDS; Keep the Promise - Leadership
* 2006 - Stop AIDS; Keep the Promise - Accountability
* 2005 - Stop AIDS; Keep the Promise
* 2004 - Women, Girls, HIV and AIDS
* 2003 - Stigma & Discrimination
* 2002 - Stigma & Discrimination
* 2001 - I care. Do you?
* 2000 - AIDS : Men make a difference
* 1999 - Listen, Learn, Live: World AIDS Campaign with Children & Young People
* 1998 - Force for Change: World AIDS Campaign With Young People
* 1997 - Children Living in a World with AIDS
* 1996 - One World, One Hope
* 1995 - Shared Rights, Shared Responsibilities
* 1994 - AIDS & the Family
* 1993 - Act
* 1992 - Community Commitment
* 1991 - Sharing the Challenge
* 1990 - Women & AIDS
* 1989 - Youth
* 1988 - Communication


The AIDS red ribbon

The red ribbon is an international symbol of AIDS awareness that is worn by people all year round and particularly around World AIDS Day to demonstrate care and concern about HIV and AIDS, and to remind others of the need for their support and commitment.

The red ribbon started as a "grass roots" effort; as a result there is no one official AIDS ribbon manufacturer, and many people make their own. It's easily done - just use some ordinary red ribbon and a safety pin!


What can I do to support World AIDS Day?

There are many ways in which you can support World AIDS Day. For example:

* Raise awareness of HIV and AIDS in your area
* Wear a red ribbon and ask others to do the same
* Sign up as a supporter of the Stop AIDS in Children campaign
* Protect yourself and your partners - this is the first and best way to stop the spread of HIV
* If you are worried - get tested

At school or work, you can support World AIDS Day by:

* Having a dressing up, down or fancy dress day
* Putting up some posters - get people talking
* Making and selling red ribbons
* Organising a creative writing/poster campaign
* Setting up a debate or a quiz - there are lots of ideas for topics on our site
* Cooking an international meal or having a cake sale
* Arranging a sponsored three-legged race or balloon release
* Getting your friends, family, colleagues or pupils to express their feelings and expand their knowledge about AIDS
* Using your imagination!

And this post is just a small effort from me to increase AIDS awareness...

ROWS OF agal vilakkus in front of every house... this is the image that at once comes to mind when we think of Karthigai Deepam - the festival of lights that is celebrated throughout Tamil Nadu during the month of Karthigai (November-December). Not many of us are aware that it is one of the oldest festivals celebrated in the State, perhaps even before people began celebrating Deepavali and Navarathri. Also, unlike many other Hindu festivals, Karthigai is basically a Tamil festival and is virtually unknown in most other parts of the country.

Karthigai Deepam is essentially a festival of lamps. The lighted lamp is considered an auspicious symbol. It is believed to ward off evil forces and usher in prosperity and joy. While the lighted lamp is important for all Hindu rituals and festivals, it is indispensable for Karthigai.

Evidence from Tamil literature:

Evidence from Tamil literature proves that this festival is one of the oldest in the state. One of the earliest references to the festival is found in the Ahananuru, a book of poems, which dates back to the Sangam Age (200 B.C. to 300 A.D.). The Ahananuru clearly states that Karthigai is celebrated on the full moon day (pournami) of the Tamil month of Karthigai. It was one of the most important festivals (peruvizha) of the ancient Tamils. Avaiyyar, the renowned poetess of those times, refers to the festival in her songs. It finds mention in Tholkappiam, Which is believed to be more than 3000 Years old, the oldest known work in the language, Seevaka Chintamani (one of the five Kappiams) also mentions the Deepam as do the two old Tamil works Kar Narpathu and Kalavazhi Narpathu.


Festival Day

It begins on Uttradam day with flag hoisting and goes on the nine days. In the early hours of the tenth day Bharani Deepam in five agantams will be lit in Arunachaleswarar's Sannithi. In the evening, the Pancha Murthis will be brought to the Katchi Mandapam. At dusk (Pradosha) the Karthigai day synchronizing with the full moon day, the deity, Ardhanareeswarar is taken out to this place with the five deepams, which are put in a big receptacle near the flug-stuff. At the same time the beacon light on the hill is lit. The huge concourse of devotees from all parts of our country in a million voice raise a cry simultaneously "Harohara to Annamalai" which will rend the air. It is a sight for the Gods to see!
The lighting of the beacon on the top of the hill is the culmination of ten days of hectic activity in the temple town. Houses and streets are lit up with rows of oil lamps (Deepam) the evening of the festival day.


What history says..

There is an interesting story explaining the link between Karthigai and lamps. Legend has it that Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma began to quarrel as to who was the more powerful of the two. While they were fighting, Lord Shiva appeared before them in the form of a huge pillar of fire. Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma gave up quarrelling and decided to find the top and the bottom of the pillar.

Accordingly, Brahma assumed the form of a swan and moved upwards. Vishnu transformed himself into a boar and started digging deep into the earth. But even after searching for several years, neither of the two was able to find the ends the pillar. Finally, they realised that the pillar was none other than Lord Shiva.

Soon afterwards, Lord Shiva appeared as a hill (Arunachala Hill) at Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu. Indeed, the very names `Tiruvannamalai' and `Arunachala' translate as `holy fire hill.' The Shivalinga in the temple here is the agni linga. The tiny lamps lit during the Karthigai festival (Karthigai Deepam) are believed to be the miniature replicas of the fire linga. Every year thousands of devotees from Chennai and elsewhere flock to Tiruvannamalai to see the spectacular Karthigai Deepam there.


The highlights of the Festival are :

Kalpagavritcha vahanam and kamathenu vahanam

Rishaba vahanam

Silver Car

Procession in five wooden cars
On the main and final day of the festival, the Bharani Deepam will be lit in the Sanctum Sanctorum early in the Morning. The Maha Deepam will be lit on the hill top on the evening (at 6 pm). The Deepam can be seen even from a distance of 35 km. The lighting of the Maha Deepam will take place simultaneously with Deeparadhanam to the five deities in the temple at the foot of the hill.

Preperation for the Deepam:
The Kopparai (cauldron) is taken to the top of the hill through a seven kilometer long route. The cauldron, ten feet high and five feet in diameter is carried on poles shoved into three handles on each side. The task of carrying the vat is assigned to the Nattar (Sembadavargal), who, numbering about fifteen, take turns to shoulder this sacred load.
Atop the hill, the cauldron is filled with tins of ghee and wick, which is made of "ghada" cloth measuring more than 350 meters. Nearly thousand kilograms of ghee is used to burn the flame, Which when lit, shoots up to seven feet and can be seen as a point of light from a 35 km radius.

The ghee keeps the flame burning for nearly a week. At the end of it, after due ceremonies are performed, the Nattar (Sembadavargal) bring down the cauldron.

On the day of the Deepam is lit, devotees also trek to the top of the hill to make personal offerings of ghee which is poured into the cauldron by two Nattar (Sembadavargal) and two temple staff, on attendance throughout. A long pole is used to pour the ghee into the vessel from about ten feet. The Nattar (Sembadavargal), of course, get a bit closer to the flame, as their bodies have become used to the heat.

At the top of the hill, there is just enough space to accommodate hundred persons. Before lighting, the wick is immersed in ghee and then dumped in to the vat, which is already full of ghee and camphor. The whole concoction is lit at a signal (usually around 6 pm) from near the temple where fireworks are set off.

The festival is well-known all over Tamil Nadu and is attended in large number. Actually in every home in Tamilnadu can be seen rows of lights (oil lamps) lit in the front, and it presents a beautiful sight. It is a day of festival of lights.


Have a look at this video clip also...




Thanks to...

http://www.tamilnadu-tourism.com/tamilnadu-festivals/karthigai-deepam.html
http://www.arunachalasamudra.org
http://www.poonja.com/deepam.htm
http://arunachalagrace.blogspot.com/2007/11/deepam-day.html ( Here you can find a beautiful narration which describes the events of this day, in stirring, graphic language )

Thanksgiving Day is a communal celebration marked as a sense of gratitude people feel for all the good things in life. This is done by offering prayers, gifting your near and dear ones. The fourth Thursday in the month of November is marked for the yearly celebration. The tradition of Thanksgiving continues till date in the form of

Family Reunion and Feasting
Family feast is an important tradition during Thanksgiving. The entire family sits at the table during dinner and offer prayer to the Lord Almighty for his continuous grace. It is also a time for relatives living in different places to come together and celebrate.

Tradition of Turkey
The traditional stuffed turkey adorns every dinner table during the feast. Pumpkin pie, Cranberry sauce, Corns are some of the dishes cooked everywhere to mark the day. Though historians don't have an evidence to prove that turkey was eaten during the first Thanksgiving dinner, but the thanksgiving celebration will be incomplete without it.

Parades
The traditional Thanksgiving parade probably started with President Lincoln proclaiming it an official day. The full- dress parade is a way to display the country's military strength and discipline. The main aim of such parades is to lift the spirits of the spectators, provide them with wholesome entertainment. In the present day, parades are accompanied with musical shows and celebrities.

Football Games
Watching NFL football during Thanksgiving is a popular tradition. The traditional game between the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers continues. One of the most memorable games having been played on this day.

Celine Dion - Because You Loved Me......

As the title indicates, this is my most fav english song of all time.... the reason for that is because of the lyrics of this song and the way Celine Dion has sung this song...
I first heard this song from Celine Dion performance on some award function which my college friend, Rajesh Kumar, had it in his comp. On seeing it on the first time itself, i was so impressed by the beautiful lyrics combined with Celine Dion's Sweet Voice. And the tune is like an cherry at the top of an ice-cream cake...

Here's that song for you to watch and listen.. and i have given you the lyrics too, so that you can go thru that lyrics while hearing the song... you'll definitely sing along with her when you watch, hear and go-thru the lyrics (I do that everytime i hear this song)...