CONTENTS

1. World AIDS Day 2023
2. 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:

1. World AIDS Day
2. 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:

1. 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.