In Memory of Ashok Pillai:

[Guest guest]

Ashok Pillai , Founding member of INP+ passed away on 19th April

2002. Do light a candle at 1pm and let it buring till 4.00pm in

memory of his great life and leadership.

Dear Ashok,

Ashok since you walked away much has changed, but much remain the

same. Indian Network for People living with HIV/AIDS- the movement

which you co-founded with twelve others will be ten year old in May

6, 2007. Yes! You deserve the pride and honor of initiating a

movement. A small number of 12 to a 50,000 and steadily growing

membership – it has been a tremendous growth and quick. Moving from

national to state, state to district and district to taluks – it has

been heartening to see the momentum that INP+ has gained.

INP+ has expanded to having representation in most of India - they

have established a network in Uttar Pradesh- your home state too. I

am sure you would be very proud of the network for the role they play-

active voices that raise issues at public, national and state

forums. This response has made one thing very clear – no one can work

in HIV without involving people living with HIV – no one can ignore

their voice. A true people's movement it is!

When you wrote into the byelaws the words `unified voice' you

probably did not envisage the magnanimity of it. You had to start

somewhere – reaching people is a gigantic task – men, women,

transgender – from different states, speaking multitudes of

languages, divided by religions, isolated by cultures, traditions and

beliefs and yet connected by the only commonality – living with HIV.

And INP+ was able to make it true.

PWN+ who were part of INP+ are also going really strong, creating and

putting forth issues of women – a safe space for women to interact

and advocate for their issues and also – PWN+ has gone far ahead

with it. They are tireless in their conviction to lead a women's

movement.

Together INP+ and PWN+ is advocating for - treatment for people

living with HIV, involvement of people living with HIV, economic

independence of women living with HIV, protecting and promoting the

rights of the people living with HIV, building capacity of people

living with HIV in the country- looks like the words from visioning

document of INP+ and PWN+ , unfurling to be the reality of the lives

of millions of people living with HIV in the country. It is a lot of

good leadership from both the organization.

Ashok, leaders like you who challenged the system and set precedence,

live in the heart of this movement. Remembering you on this day – for

being the person you were and for the inspiration that you provided

for everyone who works in this field to go on with their advocacy.

From the friends of Ashok

and AIDS INDIA e FORUM

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