Gulf NRI grooms under HIV scanner

September 27, 2007

PTI, Dubai, February 12, 2006

With AIDS cases touching epidemic proportions, parents of

marriageable girls seeking alliances with NRIs settled in the Gulf

are increasingly asking the prospective bridegrooms to undergo HIV

tests. Societal pressures from parents and NGOs in India are driving

the motion, the Gulf News reported.

" The surge in HIV positive cases in India is also one of the reasons

for Gulf-based grooms being put under the scanner, " an Abu Dhabi-

based prominent community member, who did not want to be named, was

quoted as saying by the paper.

" Not to mention that HIV positive cases are also highlighted by the

media over here. I do not see any harm in parents demanding an

HIV/Aids test. Who would want to risk their lives. It's better to be

safe than sorry, " he said. The demand to undertake an HIV/Aids test

is also due to the supposed free morals obtaining in some parts of

the region, according to the daily. " I felt scandalised when the

brothers of this girl that I had set my heart on hinted that a

HIV/Aids test be done. I never thought in my wildest dreams that they

would be serious about it, " said Sanjay Trilok Gupta, a 32-year-old

Dubai-based jeweller.

" There is no point in placing the blame on anybody over this. One

thing that we all are aware of is that HIV/Aids has reached epidemic

proportions. I do not see any harm if required to undergo a test, "

said Arvind Mukherjee who works in a Dubai-based public relations

agency.

According to K Kumar, convenor of the Indian Community Welfare

Committee, getting medical certificates verified by both the parties

is a sensible move.

However, there are some who do not agree with the argument of " better

safe than sorry " .

A prospective groom when asked to undertake the HIV/Aids test by his

prospective in-laws in India said he felt " insulted and humiliated "

in front of his parents.

" At first I thought that they were playing a prank on me. But I was

shocked to learn that the whole thing was said in all seriousness, "

said Krishnadas, a 28-year-old businessman.

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b0c0944d3630 & & Headline=Gulf+NRI+grooms+under+HIV+scanner

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