Fight AIDS like Gandhiji did against apartheid: Kaunda

Chennai, Jan 11 (UNI) Republic of Zambia's First President Kenneth David Kaunda today exhorted India and the African nations to be united in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

''We should come together and fight against the dreaded disease like Mahatma Gandhi, fought apartheid in South Africa,'' Mr Kaunda, who was here to participate in the silver jubilee celebration of Madras Medical Mission, told a press conference here.

The former Zambian President, who ruled that country for 27 years, said he was deeply inspired by Gandhiji as a youth and was looking forward to his visit to India which was his ''second home.'' ''He was my political saviour,'' he added.

Stressing the importance of service and love, Mr Kaunda said he had set up Kenneth Kaunda Children of Africa Foundation to work towards prevention of HIV/AIDS and fight against the stigma attached to the disease.

''I have come to learn from the work being done here in the area of HIV/AIDS prevention and replicate it in my home country,'' he said.

Noting that there were many challenges ahead in the era of globalisation and privatisation like fighting poverty, ignorance, disease, corruption and exploitation, he said ''instead of sitting down and accepting failures, we should stand up and fight.'' Mr Kaunda had also served as Chairman of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and Commonwealth group of nations.

UNI