At a time when the cross border migration and HIV and AIDS is emerging as one of the key issues in global AIDS response, an initiative to organize World AIDS Day, 2012 event between Bangladesh and India border (No Man’s Land) has been well appreciated across the region. Experts involved in cross border migration say, “this is an inspiring initiative to learn, share and take collective efforts for both the countries.” Bhoruka Public Welfare Trust (BPWT) West Bengal, one of the implementing partners of CARE-EMPHASIS project in India took initiative to observe this Day at ‘No Man’s Land’ on the Indo-Bangladesh border, along with other organization and partners from Bangladesh. Bhoruka Public Welfare Trust (BPWT) West Bengal, one of the implementing partners of CARE-EMPHASIS project in India took initiative to observe this Day at ‘No Man’s Land’ on the Indo-Bangladesh border, along with other organization and partners from Bangladesh.

The day began with the rally by EMPHASIS-West Bengal project team from Barasat field office which gradually passed through the local market and reached to an HIV/ AIDS information booth at Barasat railway station that was set up by NNP+ (North 24 Parganas Network of Positive People), where there were sharing of thoughts and exchange of banner followed by an oath taking ceremony at Barasat EMPHASIS project office whereby everybody unite in the fight against HIV.
 

Before the rally moved to the ‘No Man’s Land’ at Indo-Bangladesh border at Petrapole, HIV awareness messages were given  to the large number of audience through  the information Kiosk and by organizing magic shows. The objective of EMPHASIS program and the importance of the Day (World AIDS Day) were also been shared among the participants of mass gathering. In the presence of more than 200 people, the rally was headed by Bangaon Sub-Divisional Officer, Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA), Area Commandant of Border Security Force (BSF), Chairman of Bangaon Municipality, Secretary Gram Panchayat-Bangaon, Block Medical Officer of Health (BMOH) and the members of EMPHASIS team.

On the No Man’s land:

The EMPHASIS team along with the Indian delegation met the delegation from Bangladesh on the No Man’s Land’. From the Bangladesh side, there were also approximately the 200 people who had come to commemorate the Day with us at the ‘No Man’s Land’. Among them Civil Surgeon & UNO, Mayor UH & FPO from Govt. Health & Administrative Department of Bangladesh,  representative of CARE/EMPHASIS- Bangladesh, World Vision,  Ad-din Welfare Centre (EMPHASIS Partner), SMC Modhumita, general people from Bangladesh, print & electronic media were the participants of the event.
 

In the meeting, the EMPHASIS team from both sides of the border hugged each other and exchanged pleasantries. Being an international border and highly sensitive area, the meeting time at ‘No Man’s Land’ was restricted up to about ten minutes whereby there were exchange of banners, reports, flowers and sweets among the representatives of two countries.
 

This historical meeting at ‘No Man’s Lands has been also captured by many print and electronic media of both the countries.  It gave the EMPHASIS team a good opportunity to meet each other and strengthen coordination across the border.