Attending a convention of Parliamentary Forum on HIV/AIDS in New Delhi on Saturday, she hoped that India would be the first country to develop a cure for the deadly disease.

"HIV vaccine is ready in India. It is undergoing clinical trials," the Minister said after Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani emphasised the need for a four-pronged strategy to counter the challenge urgently.

Advani pointed out that HIV/AIDS had devastated families, destabilised communities and shattered national economies with little hope of recovery for decades to come.

"The alarm bell is ringing. The bell is not for waking us up for we in India have already woken up to the challenge of HIV/AIDS," he said adding the country has been "forewarned by statistics".

He spelt out four inter-related actions -- pervention, treatment, education and awareness creation and research -- to tackle AIDS challenge.

"It is not enough to spread the message about safe sex. It should a part of a larger message, about a responsible and fair lifestyle," Advani said pointing out that HIV/AIDS was "essentially a lifestyle disease".