INP+ Photo exhibition at The Park , Chennai on 29th April

[Guest guest]

INP+ launches ‘Positive Journey Through Life’, a photo exhibition to promote

Social Acceptance of People Living with HIV/AIDS.

India is one of the largest and most populated countries in the world, with over

one billion population. Of this number, it is estimated that around 2..4 million

Indians are currently living with HIV.

What is even more shocking is the fact that just 6 high prevalence states

contribute to more than 60% of the total population of people living with

HIV/AIDS. In one of the latest reports it was recorded that even today 87%

acquired AIDS through the sexual route.

In a country like India where poverty, illiteracy and poor health are

predominant, the spread of HIV/AIDS presents an intimidating challenge. At this

point, INP+ seeks to improve the quality of life and also to develop a positive

image of people living with HIV.

In April 2004 the government started the ART Programme to provide free access to

Antiretroviral Therapy (ART). Today 177,808 adults and 12,116 children receive

free ART through 179 centers spread across 31 states. Their aim is to be able to

provide free treatment to 300,000 adults and 40,000 children by 2012 by adding

another 250 ART Centers and 650 link ART centers by 2011.

INP+ compliments these government initiatives by conducting outreach programmes,

peer counselling and advice and providing care and support.

INP+ strives to reduce the stigma and discrimination in the healthcare,

workplace and community settings by addressing issues for the Marginalized

communities through the forums for Women & Children, Injecting Drug Users (IDU),

Female Sex Workers (FSW), Men who have Sex with Men and Transgender.

To realize this goal INP+ together with Family Health International (FHI) and

Avahan AIDS Initiative has launched a project ˜Positive Journey Through Life to

strengthen National, State and District Level Networks to reduce stigma and

discrimination at all levels of society.

Strengthening People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) Networks is the permanent

solution to reduce stigma and discrimination faced by PLHA in India. This

exhibition will boost the self esteem of PLHA in the country and encourage more

people to be open about their status said K.K.Abraham, President, INP+

A passionate Indian photographer who has spent over 20 years behind the lens

freezing everything that moves the human spirit - colours, emotions, beauty

After 10 years of working with a leading publication in the city he decided to

launch out on his own as a film/documentary maker and photo-journalist. For

Shaju, photography is not merely a vocation or a hobby, but art and life itself.

Mr. Shaju who traveled across the country and was able to capture and

document the changes and social and emotional impact of the HIV and AIDS

epidemic in India, highlighting the varied positive human responses in the

workplace, healthcare, family and community settings.

This project has been one of my most fulfilling projects. To have seen people

living such fruitful happy lives even with HIV was such an eye opener for me.â€

– Shaju

These photographs show the extraordinary insights into the lives of individuals,

families and communities who are affected by HIV. The photo exhibition will be

hosted at

The Park , Chennai on April 29, 2009 from 10:30AM to 9:30PM

Following which it would be taken to other cities across the country.

This exhibition and campaign aims to complement the current national AIDS

program and will promote a positive image of responsible people living with HIV.

The campaign acknowledges that there is a long healthy life after HIV infection,

people living with HIV are active just like anyone else and places prevention as

part of a continuum of care. INP+ will also publish a book ‘Positive Journey

Through Life’ with 100 PLHIV in the month of May 09.

Join us in this initiative

For more information contact:

Indian Network for People Living with HIV/AIDS (INP+)

New No 41 (Old No 42/3), Second Main Road,

Kalaimagal Nagar, Ekadduthangal, Chennai - 600 097

Ph: + 91 44 22254671/72/ 73/74

Fax: + 91 44 22254670

Email: inpinpplus (DOT) net

Website: www.inpplus. net