Why Karnataka CM slept in a hut?

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Why Karnataka CM slept in a hut

Shweta Ganesh

CNN-IBN

Posted Wednesday, January 24, 2007 at 20:00 Updated Wednesday, January 24, 2007 at 20:13

FOR A CAUSE: Karnataka govt has launched a Rs 98-crore HIV prevention programme.

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Hingalgi (Karnataka): Rudraiah, a resident of Hingalgi village in Karnataka had a very special guest at his home - Karnataka Chief Minister Kumaraswamy.

Rudraiah is one of the five-lakh HIV-positive patients in the state and the Chief Minister has decided to stay the night at his hut to set an example that people like Rudraiah should not be discriminated against.

"We must campaign that this is not a disease transmitted by people. We must remove this idea from the people," says HD Kumarawamy.

Karnataka has the second largest number of HIV patients in the country, second only to Andhra Pradesh. Out of the five lakh affected, majority of them live in the rural areas.

The staggering figures have prompted the Karnataka government to launch a Rs 98-crore HIV prevention and care programme called "Samastha" to combat the growing threat.

HIV patients like Rudraiah say they will actively participate in it.

"We should not hide the disease. People like us should come forward and be frank about it. At least others should benefit from our illness," says Rudraiah.

It's not everyday a chief minister takes time out to stay with an HIV-positive person.

But given that Karnataka is the only state where there are more HIV patients in rural areas than in the cities, the unprecedented gesture comes as a much-needed step.