WITH A MESSAGE: Participants at a meeting of HIV-positive persons in Hyderabad on Tuesday. - Photo: D. Gopalakrishnan

HYDERABAD: The usually quiet environs of Shilparamam came alive on Tuesday with music, debates on the problems of those living with HIV, touching life stories, tug of war contests and much more as hundreds of HIV-affected people gathered at the cultural hotspot's Sampradaya Vedika for a day of fun.

More than fun, the meeting demonstrated another fact as well - HIV is not anymore under the covers and those living with the virus are ready to face the public, and even sing a song on HIV in front of them.

The second occasion after October's press conference by the Telugu Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS, during which People Living with HIV (PLH) came out boldly, was organised by a handful of NGOs working with such people across the State, the Network of HIV Positive People (NHP+) and the Andhra Pradesh State AIDS Control Society.

The message

Ignoring the glare of television cameras, surprising a few greenhorns by showing that PLHs too look and can live like any normal human being, children and grownups, affected or infected by the virus, danced to music, sang in solos and groups, raced to finishing lines with lemons balanced on spoons in their mouths.There were a few who choked with emotion as they sang songs on their own experiences of social stigma. But the underlying message even there was evident - HIV can be tackled.

APSACS Deputy Director K. Padmavathy said interfaces with the media and sharing of their experiences and problems were made part of the programme to tell PLHs that "we are with you."

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