John Abraham & Smita Thackeray

MUMBAI: John Abraham and Smita Thackeray have come together for a mission – to eradicate AIDS. The ‘I Pledge’ campaign of Smita Thackeray-helmed Mukti Foundation took off with actor John Abraham as the face of the campaign.

“When it comes to eradicating HIV/AIDS, it is the attitude that makes the difference,” says Smita Thackeray.

Considering that more than 2.5 million AIDS cases in India will be moving to more alarming levels by 2010 (according to CIA’s National Intelligence Council Report) Smita’s move seems to be very timely.

John was voted as the Sexiest Asian Man of the year 2008 by a leading British Asian weekly.

Says John, “When I realised the essence of Smitaji’s campaign, I immediately wanted to be a part of it. As a public figure, I want to make the difference. I felt that it was time for us to act, and to pledge for an AIDS-free life. I want the youth to stand up and pledge to practice safe sex, to be faithful to our partners, get ourselves tested for HIV, and not to discriminate a HIV-affected patient, spread awareness, use new syringes and not visit commercial sex workers. I have pledged and I want others to follow the same. We will make that difference with our commitment.”

I Pledge, the public interactive campaign, aims to take a pledge from the public where each individual makes a promise that they would contribute in their own small way to eradicate HIV.