Re: Ramesh Venkataraman - Condolence message

[Guest guest]

I have always known Ramesh from a distance but always felt a need to know him

more. At every workshop I met him I thought I will invest in knowing him more

once I am out of this workshop. There was an optimism in me which kept telling

me, " no hurry there is lot of time " .

Ramesh's sudden and sad demise has left me numb and shocked. I get angry and

frustrated at myself.

Ramesh is the person I knew as a crusader for continuum of prevention to cure. I

remember Ramesh as a person with who I had a long debate about how treatment

propels prevention; as a movie-maker who talked of life after HIV and as an

advocate who talked about education creatively.

I really regret not having known him very closely and I miss him in the world of

HIV response in India.

Sonal

Sonal Mehta

e-mail: <sonalmehtai@...>

[Guest guest]

Reading all these messages about Ramesh made me feel that I should also write a

few words. All these fights he is supposed to have had with all of you! he never

fought with me, at all. We agreed on all counts and I have shared his anger and

frustration many a time.

 

During the whole ITPA ammendment mess he supported the stand of sex work rights

activists and put in a lot of efforts to try and influence the policy makers

about the futility of `penalising demand'. I will miss his fire and anger. We

needed him to live longer to keep the fire in us alive.

 

In every meeting, both International and National I will miss this staunch

supporter of the rights of people in prostitution and sex work.

 

Rest in peace, dear Ramesh.

 

In solidarity,

Meena saraswathi seshi

SANGRAM/VAMP.

e-mail: <sangram.vamp@...>