‘Ashoka Fellow’ for action on HIV/AIDS

[Guest guest]

DECCAN HERALD: Friday, April 26, 2002

FACE TO FACE: All for a cause

“We want people to realise that they must help in order to rid the world

of this human devastation called HIV/AIDS.” --Co-founder of Freedom Foundation,

Ashok K Rau

Ashok K Rau, one of the most visible and compassionate faces of India’s campaign

against HIV/AIDS, is the co-founder of the Freedom Foundation, the

Bangalore-based non-governmental organisation working in the field of substance

abuse and HIV/AIDS. A highly resourceful professional of regional and

international repute Ashok Rau is the recipient of the Commonwealth Award for

What is the Ashoka Award all about? The Ashoka Foundation is a US based

organisation which considers King Ashok to be one of the early social

entrepreneurs of the world. Till recently I had no idea what the Ashoka Award is

about. In February this year I was contacted by their representative and

informed that my work at the Freedom Foundation had been heard about and that

they felt I was worthy of being nominated for this award. I then had to go

through some interviews with their representative who had come down from the US.

It was then that I understood that the Ashoka Foundation was looking for

‘entrepreneurs’ who were doing work similar to that of the ideals followed by

King Ashok -- basically the change-makers in society.

Along with a citation, the Ashoka Foundation ‘invests’ money for each of its

awardees meant for their welfare and this amount is given in the form of a

stipend of Rs 13,000 for a period of three years.

What kind of change do you think this award will bring about in your work?

I am excited, not just because my work has been recognised, but because at the

end of the day my vision, dedication and commitment is being shared by a global

community.

Have you received any other awards recognising your work in the field of

HIV/AIDS?

In 1999 the Freedom Foundation was appointed as a nodal agency by the National

Aids Control Organisation (NACO) overseeing HIV programmes in the country. In

June 2001 we were recognised by UNAIDS for best practice on comprehensive care

and support and a centre of excellence. In October 2001 we received the

Commonwealth Award for action on HIV/AIDS. In February 2002 Yale University

recognised our work and invited me over to present a series of lectures on

HIV/AIDS. I now have a tie-up with Yale University to prepare a report of the

human rights situation of HIV/AIDS affected people in India.

Apart from heading the Freedom Foundation are you involved with any other

organisation doing similar work?

I am not involved as such with any other organisation though I am part of

several committees that have been set up to check the situation of HIV/AIDS in

the country. I am part of the Parliamentary Committee that checks the situation

of HIV/AIDS in India. I am also on the National AIDS Committee and a member of

the Technical Resource Group of Legal and Ethical Issues pertaining to people

affected by HIV/AIDS. I am also a member of the HIV/AIDS Task Force set up in

Karnataka.

Does the Freedom Foundation receive any grants or donations?

We do receive some grants from the government, though they are not enough to run

the show. We employ more that 90 people to look after the occupants of the

foundation. We have 6 branches of which two are located at Hyderabad, one at

Bellary, Siruguppa, Mangalore and Udupi. Each branch houses more than 50 people.

We are not able to look after the needs of these occupants on the government

grants alone.

Of course, we also receive some ad hoc grants from patrons. Like some time ago

we received a letter from Hollywood actress along with a cheque

for $15,000. We need a stable source of fund -- a body that we can rely on. We

want people to realise that they must help in order to rid the world of this

human devastation called HIV/AIDS.

Archana Shenoy

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

© Copyright, 1999 The Printers (Mysore)Ltd.