India illuminates 70 monuments

New Delhi, Nov 14 (IBNS) A record number of about 70 monuments across India were lit in blue on the eve of world diabetes day as part of awareness drive on diabetes prevention.

Blue ring represents diabetes globally- like red ribbon represents AIDS.

Some of the monuments that marked the significance of world diabetes day by turning blue under Abbott Blue Monument Lighting Challenge were Swaminarayan Akshardham temple, New Delhi, Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Old Fort, Kangra Fort (Manali), Ellora Caves (Aurangabad), Abbott office building (Mumbai), AIIMS, Civic centre, Nair Hospital (Mumbai), 13 gates of Ahmedabad etc. Taj Mahal could be lit only partially but Fatehput Sikri and Red Fort in Agra were glazing in blue as never before.

Blue monument lighting was done globally to commemorate world diabetes day and in India, HEAL foundation, a Delhi-based NGO and ViaMedia took the obligation to do it on huge scale. Archeological society of India (ASI) supported the initiative in a massive manner.

Minister for Social Welfare, Women and Child Development Kiran Walia said, "Abbott Diabetes Blue Fortnight is the most unique way to spread mass awareness on diabetes and it requires a massive effort. So I compliment the organizers for taking up this initiative. I hope this becomes a rallying point to mobilize future efforts to raise diabetes awareness."

"Such activities should reach to the masses and to the under-privileged sections also so that they should know why awareness is important particularly in the case of diabetes,", said Dr VM Katoch, DG- ICMR & Secretary, Medical Research, Govt. of India.

Statistics says cases of diabetes are increasing in India.

This deadly disease is affecting Indians on massive scale and it is expected that there will be about 8 Crore Indians with diabetes till 2030-till now the number is over 5 crore.

Therefore creating awareness is just and so HEAL Foundation and ViaMedia observed Abbott Diabetes Blue Fortnight from November 1 to November 14, 2011.

It was launched with a series of activities like 'Women 4 Diabetes Care', Walk for Diabetes Care, Doctors for Diabetes Care and seminar on 'Mainstreaming NCDs as a key health agenda in India at Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple, New Delhi.

Following these activities Abbott Diabetes Blue Fortnight concluded with Blue monument lighting across India. Heal foundation welcomes supports garnered for successful blue monument lighting challenge.

"Archeological survey of India's massive support is highly commendable without which monuments' lighting on this huge scale would not have become possible. Need of the hour is all government and private agencies, including NGOs and civil societies come together to tackle this deadly disease because situation is shocking. Illuminating about 100 monuments was a real challenge, response to which is extremely encouraging for HEAL foundation, " said Swadeep Srivastava, Principal Consultant, HEAL Foundation.

He said: "Now HEAL foundation is looking forward to launch a bit more focused campaign for Blue lighting for 2012. We will try to make it the largest ever campaign on diabetes awareness across the world."

Doctors and diabetologists of India also laud the scaling up of blue monument lighting to encourage consciousness on diabetes.

Dr. Anoop Misra, Director & Head, Dept. of Diabetes & Metabolic Diseases, Fortis Hospital & Chairman, National Centre for Diabetes, Obesity & Cholesterol Control, New Delhi and also the Chairperson for ADBF' 11, said: "Such activities are very encouraging for us doctors because in the case of diabetes prevention is important and awareness programs teach prevention & management basically. Blue monument lighting on all India level completes the purpose very effectively."

"70 monuments illuminated in blue symbolizes India's solidarity in the fight against diabetes. Abbott Diabetes Blue fortnight and its all activities were focused and that is why they concluded so successfully," said Dr. C S Pandav, National President Indian Public Health Association & HOD, Center for Community Medicine, AIIMS, New Delhi.