It may sound like a strange battle cry but the world's second-largest Army has trained its guns on an unlikely enemy.
"We consider HIV our enemy No. 1," says Director General of Armed Forces Medical
For most of the 1.2 million troops who live away from their families for about 10 months a year, AIDS is the threat they're now taking by the horns.
They haven't defeated it but there are signs of some progress. From 300 reported cases in 2003, the fresh incidence of HIV in the armed forces is down to 37 in 2006. There was no death due to AIDS in 2006.
With the heavy emphasis on preventive measures, sex is finally out of the military closet.
Soldiers are now under orders to report visits to sex workers. The message to troops: Let's talk about sex.
"Today, a jawan is not hesitant to open up and (confess) that sir, I have visited a sex worker, I should be treated," says Vice-Admiral V K Singh.
There's an unlikely agent of social change in the military. Sex is no longer taboo. And the message is that getting HIV is not a problem, but not reporting it, is one. So, seeking sex no longer carries a stigma.
"If you want to tackle AIDS or HIV, you will have to be very liberal in distribution of condoms, and education. In fact, condoms are kept in a place where they can be easily picked up," Vice-Admiral V K Singh.
Of the 37 cases of HIV reported this year, 35 have been caused by unprotected sex. So, sexual confessions can pave the way for aggressive medical intervention to defeat HIV. But there are clear limits to the sexual glasnost.
"Homosexuality in the armed forces is not a problem," says Vice-Admiral V K Singh. Some taboos may be harder to break.
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"We consider HIV our enemy No. 1," says Director General of Armed Forces Medical
For most of the 1.2 million troops who live away from their families for about 10 months a year, AIDS is the threat they're now taking by the horns.
They haven't defeated it but there are signs of some progress. From 300 reported cases in 2003, the fresh incidence of HIV in the armed forces is down to 37 in 2006. There was no death due to AIDS in 2006.
With the heavy emphasis on preventive measures, sex is finally out of the military closet.
Soldiers are now under orders to report visits to sex workers. The message to troops: Let's talk about sex.
"Today, a jawan is not hesitant to open up and (confess) that sir, I have visited a sex worker, I should be treated," says Vice-Admiral V K Singh.
There's an unlikely agent of social change in the military. Sex is no longer taboo. And the message is that getting HIV is not a problem, but not reporting it, is one. So, seeking sex no longer carries a stigma.
"If you want to tackle AIDS or HIV, you will have to be very liberal in distribution of condoms, and education. In fact, condoms are kept in a place where they can be easily picked up," Vice-Admiral V K Singh.
Of the 37 cases of HIV reported this year, 35 have been caused by unprotected sex. So, sexual confessions can pave the way for aggressive medical intervention to defeat HIV. But there are clear limits to the sexual glasnost.
"Homosexuality in the armed forces is not a problem," says Vice-Admiral V K Singh. Some taboos may be harder to break.
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