Karnataka: It was a significant day for them

January 28, 2007

Staff Correspondent

INGALAGI (BAGALKOT DISTRICT): It was a memorable day for Rudraiah

Mathpathy, his wife Shoba, and many other HIV-infected persons as

Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy spent some time with them.

The Mathpathy couple were overjoyed when Mr. Kumaraswamy chose their

house to make an overnight stay. It was well past midnight when Mr.

Kumaraswamy arrived at their house in Janata Colony along with

ministerial colleagues R. Ashok, Govind Karjol (district in-charge)

and Basavaraj Horatti.

They were eagerly waiting for the VIP and had prepared food for him,

but appeared disappointed when they learnt that the Chief Minister

already had his dinner.

However, Mr. Kumaraswamy had breakfast with them. He spent an hour

with the family members. He told them not be disheartened because of

the infection, and promised to make their life more comfortable.

Later, many people narrated their woes to him at an interaction

programme held at government high school building. The Chief Minister

was moved when he learnt that 11-year-old Renuka, who had come with

her father Lakshman alias Umesh Chinnannavar, was HIV positive.

Mr. Chinnannavar said his wife Shashikala died of the disease in

2000. According to him, they got infected for no fault of theirs.

They believed Shashikala got infected when she was given a bottle of

untested blood during birth of Renuka.

While making no secret of he being HIV positive Mr. Chinnannavar said

he didn't know how long he would live. He was worried about the

future of Renuka, and three other children who are HIV negative. He

did not forget to mention that Renuka's teachers and fellow children

were compassionate to her. While assuring help, the Chief Minister

advised him not to get disheartened.

Mr. Kumaraswamy admired the social responsibility showed by Hanmappa

Dhulshetti couple, who cancelled the marriage of their son, Shankar,

at the eleventh hour, when they came to know that the latter had been

infected. Renuka Hadimani, daughter of a Devadasi, and her husband

Prabhudevaru, who had petitioned Mr. Kumaraswamy during his last tour

of the district and got relief, chose the occasion to express their

gratitude.

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