Ferrying towards stigma free society for HIV positives

[email protected] (CD Network, Photos by Suresh Vamanjoor)

February 23, 2013

Mangalore, Feb 24: Posters, banners and talks on HIV/AIDS awareness have been experimented and witnessed by all. How about a ferry ride?

Taking the road less taken and doing their bit for the society, Department of Mass Communication at St Aloysius College, Mangalore, along with Boloor Mogaveera Sabha, a ferry service and Hongirana Network of Positive People (HNPP), an NGO, came up with an innovative idea to spread awareness on the deadly virus and its effects, by organising an HIV/AIDS awareness campaign 'Nirmulana' on the ferry from Sultan Battery to Thannirbavi for a duration of three hours on Saturday.

Very few venture out to the beaches of Mangalore on a hot and sunny Saturday afternoon except youngsters and couples wanting to spend some exclusive time together at the beach. Wanting to reach out and spread HIV awareness among youngsters, student co-ordinators Kiran Shenoy and Anjali Rai helped distribute pamphlets on steps and questions on HIV/AIDS to passengers on the ferry.

Speaking on the occasion, social worker Seema from HNPP said that spreading awareness on HIV/AIDS has to be focused on youngsters as around 31 per cent of HIV infected individuals in India fall in the age group of 15-29 years.

“Infected individuals with HIV live with a stigma of being infected, which should be fought with mental fortitude,” she said.

Speaking about the NGO, she said that over 3,400 HIV infected people had enrolled in the organisation from the time it started in 2006. The organisation offers counseling for the infected individuals, and helps them avail government packages meant for such individuals. Our main aim is to reduce the death rate of infected patients. These individuals are able to get rid of the stigma and hurt when they are offered care and support by others who are infected,” she said.

Dr Sangeetha Laxmi, a naturopathic practitioner at Sahara Nature Cure Centre, spoke on HIV and AIDS from a doctor's point of view and said that HIV infection was a viral problem which, unlike other viral infections, did not show any symptoms in most infected persons. “One should remember that HIV infection by itself does not cause the death of an individual. The virus gradually destroys the immune system and causes decrease in lymphocyte count in the human body, which is how the person falls prey to other diseases,” she said.

She said that as on February 22, around 4,100 HIV positive individuals had been registered at Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ART) centres in Dakshina Kannada district. “In all government hospitals, Integrated Counseling and Testing Centres (ICTC) provide free check-up, care, treatment and counseling for people affected by HIV/AIDS, which could be availed by them at no cost,” she said, detailing ways of transmission and how best to prevent HIV from spreading.

Rajashekar Karkera, Devanand Gujaran, Madhava Salian and Madhava Karkera from Boloor Mogaveera Sabha and Laxmi Shenoy from Department of Mass Communication participated in the awareness campaign.

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Lokayukta team arrives at disputed plot; CM likely to get ED summons

News Network

October 1,2024

Mysuru, Oct 1: The Karnataka Lokayukta team on Tuesday arrived at the disputed plot in Mysuru and began investigation into the MUDA case against CM Siddaramaiah and his wife, news agency ANI reported. Snehamayi Krishna, the complainant in the case was also present with the team.

Sources stated that ED sleuths might issue a notice to CM Siddaramaiah at any time and issue summons to him for questioning. The sleuths are also keenly watching the movements of CM Siddaramaiah’s close associates and relatives, including a cabinet minister in connection with the MUDA scam.

Sources further said that there is a possibility of the ED conducting raids across the state on offices and residences of close associates of CM Siddaramaiah. The ED has also gathered information on bank accounts and financial transactions of CM Siddaramaiah and his associates.

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) on Monday registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR), equivalent to an FIR by the police, against CM Siddaramaiah over the alleged irregularities in the allotment of 14 sites to his wife Parvathi B.M. by the Mysore Urban Development Authority. The ED registered the case taking cognisance of the FIR registered against the Chief Minister by the Lokayukta police on September 27.

Meanwhile, the Karnataka Lokayukta probing the MUDA case has also expedited the probe. The sleuths led by Mysuru Lokayukta SP T.J. Udesh have visited the controversial land on the outskirts of Mysuru city. The petitioner, Snehamayi Krishna, also accompanied the team.

The move of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s wife to return 14 sites allotted by the MUDA to her has triggered a debate. BJP MLA from Mysuru T.S. Srivatsa stated on Tuesday that the move of CM’s wife is not acceptable. "The two commissioners who colluded in the MUDA scam are roaming freely even today," he said.

"CM Siddaramaiah first claimed that there was no scam at all. Later, he formed a commission and now there is an FIR against him. After committing the mistake, you offer to return the sale deed. The time is up. He will have to tender his resignation and I am sure he won’t be in the position until Dasara festivities," MLA T.S. Srivatsa stated.

T.J. Abraham, one of the petitioners in the MUDA case said, “I had demanded the MUDA commissioner to take back the allotted sites. He had written back saying the process would be initiated. They were waiting for the investigation report."

"CM Siddaramaiah has not approached the division bench or the Supreme Court to challenge the order against him because there is nothing to be challenged. Returning sites is not a big sacrifice. The Chief Minister has lost it," Abraham stated.

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