Monday, December 03, 2007

The no. is 6724

Now in case if you are wondering, what the number is about.... well.. that was my bib number when I ran for AIDS Charity at the Pune International Marathon.

2nd Dec, a rather cold morning I groggily woke up at 6:00 am after a night of partying to gear myself for the marathon. Had registered myself for the run the moment we had recieved word about it at work. Full of gusto, I woke up one of my colleagues who was in a rather inebriated state to back home last night. Called up a few others and we met Yerwada. From there on it was a chilly ride to Jangli Maharaj Road. The gathering point for us was in front of the MacDonald's there. So there we were, the entire team all ready to start off.... 8:30 am.... we start....


After jogging for a little more than 500 mts, I realised that I need to walk...simply cannot run the entire 4.5 kms... and so started a saga of walk and run.... and that's how we all reached the finishing line. Nothing much to write here really, except may be the cause.

The point is to show solidarity towards AIDS victim, to display a willingness to help them, to raise funds for their treatment and most important of all to make sure people know how to keep such stuff in check.


What is AIDS??
AIDS - Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome, is caused by the HIV (Human Immuno Virus). The virus attacks no particular part of the body rather the it attacks the Immune System, breaking it down and leaving the patient susceptible to any disease. You may be HIV +ve, but that doesn't mean you have AIDS. It means you are prone to AIDS now.


A few facts about AIDS:

  1. It doesn't spread by touching. So don't treat AIDS victims as outcasts.
  2. It can spread even through a spuriated syringe or blade... anything that can come in contact with the blood. So, keep a check on that.
  3. It can happen to anyone. So, be alert.... just the way you need to wear warm clothings in winter so not to leave yourself susceptible to the effects of winter...
There are loads but offhand that's all I can say.


How it spreads?
  1. Through spuriated objects, like a needle at the chemists, or the blade at the barber's.
  2. During pregnancy... from mom to child.
  3. Unprotected/irresponsible sexual intercourse.

How to control it?
  1. Please ensure the hygiene factor of any object like needle or blades which could have been used by someone else and thus be spuriated by their blood.
  2. Guys USE condoms. Whether you agree or not, but that's how most sexually transmitted diseases can be prevented. Not to mention it keeps unwanted pregnancy at bay and helps in family planning. Contraceptive pills or morning after pills are not the solution for they are known to have certain side effects on the lady in the long run. Btw, even they have expiration dates so please take care to ensure the quality before you use one.
  3. Be responsible towards your partner. Stay true and honest..... this helps in taking precautions as deemed fit.
Stay safe... stay happy... stay healthy...

Please do check out the following links and share your knowledge:
  1. AIDS on wiki.

For more information about the marathon check out their official website: Pune International Marathon
And now some pics from Sunday:
Before starting........


At starting point.......


At the finishing line........

22 comments:

Lukkydivs said...

Glad u have posted this one...i thought doing one myself but its already 4th of december :(

Sam said...

hey.. it's alrite... u can still post one!!!
btw, wots wid teh date???

Lukkydivs said...

lol u went on a mastek run and u asking whats with the date :P hehe its the world aids day :P
sahi kaam sahi time pe karna hi shaan deti hai :P

takecare :)

Lena said...

i thought it was the 1st dec? i mean worlds aids day...
anyways nice post and a very necessary one too :)
showing solidarity for victims of aids is a good thing :)

Pri said...

hmm good awareness post ...
u missed out 'blood transfusions' as one of the modes of spread :)
nice pics...
and congo on completing the run :)...whethr u did so walking or running dosent really matter ;p

Sam said...

thnx a lot divya n lena...
btw, lena it ws not a mastek run, i work for mastek... its a software firm!!

and pri, u r right.. i missed dat out... frankly, i've missed out a lot... woteva i've mentioned arnd here is nothing but layman stuff!!

IncorrigibleV said...

hey sam ...
great that u ran for the cause and also posted this posr... u sure are doin ur bit ... spreadin the word in blogsville :)
good post!

Sam said...

thnx a lot vands.. adn now shud spread the word too!!

Anonymous said...

Great to see you dressed in reds. And my company participated big deal toooo....and u got to see SMG, my o my. my childhood icon........not sure if Aids victims really get benefited from this kinda runs.....

black coffee said...

thats lovely! great work done!
and posting abt AIDS u hav done ur little something for its awareness!
congratulations!

Cheers!

Cuckoo said...

Congrats, Sam !
Great that you ran. More than anything, it is the cause that matter in the end.

Glad to see you doing your bit by spreading the word as well.

Keshi said...

hey Sam great awareness post!

And so great of ya to join in the race as well.


Keshi.

The 'Mad' Orchid said...

Hey Sam...
U posted such a great lineup n u said me the marathon made u realise tht u r an 'unfit' :P
Jokes apart...
Great post...n a great wrk done :)

Occasional Brilliance said...

vry proud f u 4 posting ds sam... it vry important 2 spread d wrd...

Sam said...

@ashu: we have to assume they do get helped... and yeah... SMG was there waving all out... only i wasn't impressed!!! not at all.....

@anonme: and you can take this up too.... make this a chain...

@cuckoo: der r times wen keeping mum is not the solution... one has to bring such stuff out of the closet to make sure it doesn't spread like wildfire!!!

Sam said...

@keshi: thnx!! u 2 can jump into this..

@mads: which gr8 line up???

@bubbles: i knw mann... we all shud... the entire show is treated so much as a closet subject dat talking abt it openly raises more than a few eyebrows!!! jeez.. wen will ppl grow up!!

The 'Mad' Orchid said...

Sry typo erroe ;) itz write up i meant the Awareness post buddy :D..wel done..v definately hve to grow up..n thanks u m thinkin to do so soon :) :P

Sameera Ansari said...

That's a nice post(even if posted 2 days late!) and a very good cause to have participated in :)

Sam said...

@mads: errr.... wot r u planning to do and how?? :P

@sameera: ah.. didn't ahve the chance earlier.. the banes of blogging from work!!

The 'Mad' Orchid said...

Will let u knw buddy once i know it lolol :P

Unknown said...

Hey!

We ran this and completed this last year. In fact, Ajit JV, Amit W and I were the only ones who finished in one go without stopping/walking. Also, Amit and I were the two people who carried the company banner into the stadium (finishing point).

Ironically though, next day, the article in the company and the monthly magazine of that month had photos of all other F***ers who were sitting around, walking around and cheating the course by taking short-cuts and no photos of either of us three!

-PeAcE
--WiTh
---GuNs

Sam said...

jeez... I didn't knw dat!!! now dats crap!!!! i was away at Mumbai during teh last run!!!
man it sure was pathetic!!!!