Remembering Ashok Pillai....

[Guest guest]

Remembering Ashok Pillai.

Dear friends,

Three years have gone since Ashok Pillai, the dynamic leader of INP+, passed

away into another world on April 19, 2002. Ashok visualized a vibrant movement

of people living with HIV and his dreams are now lived through Indian Network

for People living with HIV/AIDS (INP+).

In 2001, speaking on access to anti-retroviral drugs at GMHC in New York Ashok

Pillai said, " I am here speaking to you on this day, but I don't know five

years from now on I will be alive " - clearly showing the harsh reality of lack

of access to antiretrovirals by people living with HIV in India at that time.

However, today after four long years, the Government of India's ARV initiative

has revived hopes of some of our brethren.

On April 19, 2005, the national secretariat office of INP+ in Chennai is

organizing a small event at their premises to commemorate Ashok Pillai. We

invite people who would like to pay homage to Ashok Pillai to attend this event

from 2.30 - 5.30 pm.

We would request all those who could not attend this event to light a lamp or a

candle in remembrance of this great soul.

Ashok Pillai still lives ..in our hearts!

Sincerely

K.K. Abraham,

President, INP+

Indian Network for People Living with HIV/AIDS (INP+)

Flat No.6, Kash Towers, # 93, South West Boag Road,

T.Nagar, Chennai-600017.

Phone: 044-24329580/81

Fax:044-24329582,

Mobile: 09840066386.

e-MAIL: inpplus@..., inpplus@...