It is on 1st December every year we join hands to sport the red ribbon, but when it comes to hand shakes with an individual who supports red ribbon, our hands shiver. People who suffer from the HIV or AIDS, have often been referred to as ill or unfortunate and dejected but time is ripe to update our vocabulary and thinking towards them. Previously such people were not willing to reveal their identity, which has changed today. Now we find people more than willing to disclose their credentials. When asked some said sportingly ‘we’ll get our pictures clicked’. Surprisingly many of us would develop cold feet at such amazing attitudes or may be we call ourselves as literate fools. With the spread of awareness and word we find many a brave-hearts.
Rajesh when asked by someone what your regrets in life are, said ‘I have only one regret, if I had known earlier, before marriage, I would have averted it and saved my wife. Another who was transfused blood contaminated with the virus calls it his destiny as was previously destined by the almighty and can not be altered. He is a happy lot with his family who has accepted him although he was shunned by the society previously. They backed out on one pretext or other, didn’t touched him or were scared to simply come near him now have a renewed perspective about him and the deadly disease.
When asked about their view point towards the life ahead many say that we don’t want social organizations to organize any charity or candle marches or invite us to share stages with celebs, but social acceptance is must through mass awareness. Efforts from government and social organizations for launching schemes based on socio-economic rehabilitation would certainly prove beneficial.