HIV afflicted councillor becomes role model

December 13, 2008

Theni, Dec 13 (PTI) She was once shunned by the people in her village

in Kotangipatti Union in the district, as she was afflicted with HIV.

But the 29 year old Easwari, now a panchayat councillor, has become a

role model for the AIDS affected women.

When she filed the nomination papers for contesting in the general

ward, many in the village coerced her to withdraw her papers giving a

series of reasons like she would not be able to function effectively,

her life span was doubtful and people would not mingle with her.

But defying those views, Easwari got herself trained in basic law and

pressure-management at an NGO, which helped her to be firm in her

resolve to contest. Gradually, she succeeded clearing the doubts

among the minds of the people that there was no harm in people

mingling with her.

" This is a general ward. We are in a democracy. Nobody can prevent me

from contesting the elections, " she had said during her poll campaign.

" I had problem even in my own house, " Easwari, who got infected with

HIV in 1997 from her husband ppan(33), involved in textile

business, " said.

" I was almost ostracised from my house and was given separate

utensils, my own kin dreaded to move closely with me, " she added.

It took at least one year to convince them that the HIV will spread

only through blood transfusion or through sexual relationship,

Easwari said.

Easwari continued with the same strategy in the neighbourhood that

helped her to succeed at home. People were impressed by her knowledge

of government schemes and projects, to elect her as their councillor.

She was polled 235 votes in the polls. PTI

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