Research help needed

[Guest guest]

Greetings!

I am a student at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England studying for

my MA in Development studies. First of all, I would like to say I'm really

enjoying the forum and I am learning a lot. Thank you all for your interesting

comments and perspectives!

I am currently working on my dissertation which focuses on HIV/AIDS in India. I

am specifically interested in looking at the stigma that exists regarding the

disease and why an attitude of apathy prevails among many Indians. I would like

to look at cultural values and belief systems in relation to these concepts.

Although there is a good deal of literature mentioning the fact that stigma and

apathy are prevalent in relation to HIV/AIDS and are a barrier in combating the

disease, I have found little on why they exist. I would like to explore this in

my dissertation.

I have the opportunity to visit Kolkata in June, and was hoping to conduct some

semi-structured interviews with people who are knowledgeable and concerned about

HIV/AIDS in India. I am also interested in attending support groups, visiting

care centres and reading literature on the subject. This personal contact with

people dealing with HIV/AIDS is a key part of my research because I desire to

approach the topic from an Indian perspective as much as possible. Most of the

literature I've read on the subject has been written in the west. Furthermore,

I am American and I realise my limitations due to my western mindset. The

Indian perspective is especially important when considering the subject area I

will be addressing of values and beliefs.

I was wondering first of all, if anyone living in Kolkata would have the time

for an interview. And secondly, if anyone had any advise as to where I could

find information that would assist my research on this topic.

Thank you!

Sincerely,

Vellani

E-mail: ginulka@...