Re: Use of Matrimonails for raising awareness abouttestingfor hiv in a vctc

[Guest guest]

Madam/Sir,

On behalf of the Liberal Association for Movement of People (LAMP) and the

DISHARI Mahila Samity we very much welcome the idea of using matrimonials for

raising awareness about testing HIV in a VCTC.

Mallika and Dr. Amitrajit Saha have found all these discussions regarding HIV

testing in matrimonial columns pointless - as they always and necessarily -

target urban middle-income, literate groups, the group who are most informed

about risks of HIV anyway. Moreover, the point is raised about what percentage

of the marraiges are arranged marriages through matrimonial columns? Majority

Indians arrange marriages, do so through their social networks:

But from our experiences , we have learnt that ordinary Indian people are always

getting motivated in both positive and negative socio-cultural practices,

through the practices of the urban middle classes and literary groups, and

therefore HIV, Thalasemia and other testings in a VCTC before all marraiges ,

even among only the urban middle class etc. at the beginning, must be encouraged

by all through undertaking of all kinds of awareness generation programmes.

It must be understood by all that HIV, Thalasemia and other testings of both

bride and bride-groom are absolutely necessary before any marraige , instead of

Horoscope analysis etc. Let we ourselves first start with this initiative.

With all best wishes and regards to Mr. Suresh Kumar for his good proposal.

Yours sincerely

All members of DISHARI Mahila Samity and LAMP

E-mail: <dishari@...>