Hooghly: Negative about positive people

[Guest guest]

Negative about positive people

Debashis Konar. Monday, December 12, 2005 09:15:53 pm TIMES NEWS

NETWORK

Hooghly AIDS clinic given ultimatum to vacate premises.

Call it a defeat for Buladi? Maybe or er... well, yes. While

similar campaigns and films like My Brother Nikhil were expected to

delete the stigma tag, activists are still feeling the heat.

Even as a group of HIV positive people in Serampore are campaigning

to spread AIDS awareness, they may soon be on the road. The one-room

office of the Network of Hooghly People Living With HIV/AIDS may

soon harbour " healthier " tenants as the landlord of the building has

decided not to renew their contract.

Samir Biswas, centre incharge of HIV Positive People, said that they

had rented a room at a doctor's house in February 2005 to spread

AIDS awareness. The landlord was aware of their activity and their

visitors' profile.

But now the doctor's wife and daughter-in-law want them to vacate

their premises. " Last week we have been told to move out by January,

2006, " Biswas added.

Biswas also claimed that he had paid an advance of Rs 9,000 for

another room to run an emergency clinic, but the landlord has not

given any receipt till date.

However, the houseowner's relatives refuted the allegation. Instead

they said that they have got a better " deal " and so they want the

HIV unit closed.

But Biswas claims that they have been asked to leave as HIV victims

frequent the place and this could have scared the landlord and his

family.

Biswas said they were helpless and may have to leave

eventually. " But we are working for the people and we need support

from the masses, " he added.

Serampore's local councillor, Uttam Ray, however, assured that the

matter may be solved amicably so that HIV patients are not affected.

Even Dr Subhashis Bhattacharya who heads the HIV/AIDS clinic at

Medical College for children said discrimination of HIV positive

people is still on.

" Perhaps the Buladi campaign has not been able to remove the

stigma, " Dr Bhattacharya said and added that patients regularly

complain of being isolated even by family members.

But the experience is something traumatic for Tarit Chakraborty, who

is the president of Bengal Network of Positive People. Even

chaiwalas have refused to sell tea to HIV victims, he informed.

Till the clinic gets a new address or they are settled at their old

place, the plea is that we should enhance our acceptance level and

have the guts to tell HIV victims Phir Milenge.

FOR THE CAUSE

Onir, director, My Brother Nikhil Celebrities endorsing AIDS

campaigns have become more of a gimmick these days. I am not

doubting every celebrity who support this cause. In India,

champagne, cheese, cocktails and AIDS awareness go hand in hand.

I have been told by NRIs that if I take one of the actors of My

Brother Nikhil to promote it abroad then I will get more money. That

means an autograph/photograph with the star is more important than

the cause. Since the same celebs do so many other commercials AIDS

just becomes like one of these.

M Shultz, director, American Center I sport the red ribbon so

that I can spread the awareness message. It surely draws attention.

I wear it with all outfits. By purchasing such ribbons (AIDS

symbol), I also support HIV/AIDS-affected people in my small way. I

would plead with the masses to do the same.

Mandira Bedi has joined hands with Breakthrough and is involved in

What Kind Of Man Are You? HIV/AIDS Campaign. She is playing the lead

female role in the evocative music video that deals with the issue.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-1328880,curpg-

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