Film on HIV Patients Screens in India

June 9, 2009

6/9/2009 12:25:04 PM

A documentary film based on the life and experiences of HIV patients screened in

New Delhi on Monday. The film " I Want to Live " was directed and scripted by

Sunil Gupta, and produced by the Human Rights Law Network, a division of the

Socio Legal Information Centre.

Colin Gonsalves is the founder of the Human Rights Law Network and the producer

of the film.

[Colin Gonsalves, Film Producer]:

" It's a movie of the suffering of HIV positive people. They are constitutionally

protected, they are not to be discriminated, and they have a right to life. And

yet everyday of their lives whether it is treatment, or treatment in public

hospitals, or getting drugs, having their children thrown out of schools, or

widows thrown out of their homes, everyday of their lives they face

discrimination and violence. And this is a film about their struggle. "

Leaders of the movement for HIV affected people in India speak of their desire

for change alongside what they consider the Government's indifference.

[Feroz Khan, Love Life Society]:

" We need to change the stand taken by the government in AIDS awareness. We need

to inform people that HIV is not a deadly illness. It is manageable and not

incurable. "

India has around 3.1 million men, women and children living with the human

immuno-deficiency virus, commonly known as HIV. Only Nigeria and South African

have more people affected with the virus.

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