CONTENTS
- World AIDS Day 2023
- Exercise Milan
World AIDS Day 2023
Context:
World AIDS Day is observed every year on December 1.
Relevance:
Facts for Prelims
Dimensions of the Article:
- World AIDS Day
- HIV/AIDS
World AIDS Day:
- Observance Date:
- Observed every year on December 1.
- Purpose:
- Aims to spread awareness about HIV/AIDS.
- Objectives:
- Provides an opportunity to combat stigmas associated with the disease.
- Honors individuals who lost their lives to AIDS.
- Encourages support for HIV/AIDS research and advanced treatment.
- Inception:
- First observed in 1988 when the World Health Organization (WHO) officially recognized the day.
- Theme for 2023:
- “Let Communities Lead”
HIV/AIDS:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a chronic, potentially life-threatening condition caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
HIV’s Impact:
- HIV attacks the body’s immune system, increasing vulnerability to other infections and diseases.
Progression to AIDS:
- If HIV is not treated, it can progress to AIDS.
Transmission:
- Sexually transmitted infection (STI).
- Spread by contact with infected blood, illicit injection drug use, or needle sharing.
- Can be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.
Treatment:
- No effective cure currently exists; HIV is a lifelong condition.
- Proper medical care, specifically Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), can control HIV.
- Individuals with effective HIV treatment can lead long, healthy lives and protect their partners.
Exercise Milan
Context:
The next edition of Exercise MILAN is scheduled to be held in February 2024.
Relevance:
GS III: Security Challenges
Dimensions of the Article:
- Exercise Milan
Exercise Milan:
- Inception:
- Began in 1995 as a biennial multilateral naval exercise.
- Expansion:
- Significantly expanded in scope and scale over the years.
- Evolution:
- Originally involved only four countries: Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
- Transitioned and expanded in terms of participants and complexity of exercises.
- Policy Alignment:
- Aligned with India’s ‘Look East Policy’ initially.
- Later expanded in line with the ‘Act East Policy’ and the ‘Security And Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR)’ initiative.
- Participants:
- Became the largest exercise held by India.
- Includes participation from Friendly Foreign Countries (FFCs).
- Recent Edition:
- The last edition, Milan-24, saw participation from over 40 countries.
- Held off the coast of Visakhapatnam.