HIV affected people attend marriage mela

[Guest guest]

Positive moves: HIV affected people attend marriage mela

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Tuesday, October 4, 2005 (Sangli):

A marriage mela for people with HIV/AIDS was organised in Sangli in

Maharashtra recently.

The HIV/AIDS affected people came to the mela to look for a life

partner who can give them the emotional support they need to deal

with their illness.

The event was the first of its kind, and saw a huge response with

people coming in from Mumbai, Pune and Kolhapur.

This was just the beginning, as the organisers are hoping to hold

such melas in every corner of the country.

" There will be no problems in their marital life. We have just

cautioned them to consult a doctor before planning any children, "

said Dr Rajendra Bhagwat, one of the organizers.

For people living with HIV/AIDS, coping with the disease is just

part of the problem. They also have to deal with fear, and sometimes

the lack of social acceptance.

In such a scenario, efforts like this epical mela will help these

people take a more confident step towards leading a normal life.

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