PIB Summary- 2nd December, 2023 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

World AIDS Day 2023

Context
World AIDS Day is observed every year on December 1.

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.

Exercise Milan

• 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.