Re: Bensy goes down fighting AIDS, stigma

[Guest guest]

Dear Members,

INP+ received the message from CPK+ on the sudden demise of Bensy.

We deeply mourns the death of Bensy, who has been a driving force for access to

treatment. We remember her contribution to all the people living with HIV

towards access to treatment.

She has influenced the mind of the former President Sri Abdul Kalam and srimathi

Sushma swaraj on the importance of treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS and

reduction of stigma, she will be remembered as the angel for the people living

with HIV in India.

In condolence

Jahnabi Goswami

President

INP+

e-mail: <inp@...>

[Guest guest]

Dear Forum,

I deeply mourn the premature death of Bensy. It is not in the prime of

life, but even before that , that Bensy had to fall victim to a deadly

virus and a deadlier stigma. It is difficult to say which is the one

which took her life ultimately. But in this age of second, third

generation ARVs, should she need to die so early?

Every time, we talk about prevention, halting and reversing the epidemic and

such policy pronouncements, we are pulled back into reality and shown how

important it is to keep people infected with the virus, alive, not just in good

health but with dignity.

Many do not know, that Bensy and her brother are the biggest motivating factors

for Health Minister Sushma Swaraj to launch the ART programme in December 2003,

much ahead than planned. In a way Bensy is a life giver for many who were in

need of treatment at that time.She was instrumental in saving many lives, except

her own.

In deep grief,

Prasada Rao

J.V.R.Prasada Rao

Special Advisor to Executive Director,

UNAIDS

New Delhi, INDIA

+ 91 11 41354545 ext 333

[Guest guest]

Dear Members,

This has been a very sad news for all of us. Plz accept my and all my members

here in J & K the heartiest condolence. May God Bless Peace to the departed soul.

In Solidarity

Amit Sharma

JKNP+

e-mail: <jknpplus@...>

[Guest guest]

Dear Friends,

This is very sad news for all of us. I would like to give heartiest condolence

from myself & all my state GIPA members here in INDIA.

We lost a role model for HIV positive people. May God Bless Peace to the

departed soul.

 

Regards

Hari Singh

National GIPA Coordinator

Indian Network for People Living with HIV/AIDS

Email-hari@.../www.inpplus.net

G-46, First Floor, Green Park Main,New Delhi-16

Mob:+91 9891263535,Ph:011- 4265771,73

[Guest guest]

Dear all,

I am saddened by Bensy's death. She fought... and there is much

encouragement we can all draw from her.

My question is.. Why did she have to fight at all?

Discrimination stems from fear out of ignorance. When ignorance is removed

through awareness, we can also hope that resultant fears and discrimination will

also wane. Therefore, I am led to wonder...

Have we not done enough in terms of awareness? Kerela boasts of highest literacy

rates in the country. Therefore, HIV awareness, one may safely assume, is also

high. But if discrimination persists,

Is there something else that drives discrimination? A morality that sets aside

understanding in its judgements? A morality that associates HIV with sex alone?

Unfortunately, just as there are well-educated Naveen Jindal's endorsing khap

panchayats and honour killings, there are also multitudes of educated people who

will refuse to acknowledge that HIV does not spread through social contact, and

thereby approve of discrimination.

Has the situation of discrimination in Kerela improved? What is the

condition of PLHA is other states?

In hope,

Sundar

e-mail: <dheenabandhu@...>