Ponnamma's story can't be allowed to simply blow away in the wind

[Guest guest]

Dear All,

As the dreadful story of the death of the AIDS widow, Poonamma, continues to

unfold...admitting light to some corners and further darkness to others...so too

does the call for truth ...and a compassionate response..remain insistent.

India's very honour is at stake -at least abroad if not at home!

We urgently appeal to those lawyers who have commnitted themselves to the plight

and the cause and the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS to embrace this

particular case.,...fully, publicly, and wholeheartedly. It is your special

opportunity on which to pursue those very rights you seek to have enshrined in

legislation. This is not a time for hesitation.

We very much identify with the published concerns of The National Commission for

Women (NCW) in this case and we remain in solidarity still alongside Meera who

brought this news to this e-group.

No life may be so flung away, so discarded,so degraded, so abandoned, and as if

it had had no value at all.

Within the ashes of this particular woman rests the hope of women the world

over, those women shouldering the burden of both HIV and discrimination and

whose rights have been trampled for far too long.

I appeal again to all Forum members to speak up and to encourage and to share

this piteous story. It can't be allowed to simply blow away in the wind. That

would be the final indignity.

Out of it could come an immense good in the legislated recognition of those

particular rights presently denied to those Indians struggling to live with

HIV/AIDS. That is your spur, your incentive!

I have also emailed this message to the Editor of The Hindu newspaper.

Haill,

President,

The Australian AIDS Fund Inc.,

Melbourne-Australia.

Email: bhaill@...

Website: www.aids.net.au