The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : 1000 km on a tricycle to create HIV/AIDS awareness

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Dec 14, 2006
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

1000 km on a tricycle to create HIV/AIDS awareness

Sandhya Soman

Physically challenged 24-year-old on mission from Tirunelveli to Chennai

CHENNAI : Consider this: 9 districts, more than 1,000 km, all on a rusty hand-pedalled tricycle.

Over the last 104 days, Nellai A. Nelson has covered a lot of ground in creating awareness about HIV and AIDS with a sheaf of pamphlets and oodles of spirit to make up for his paralysed legs.

Nelson's fourth annual expedition is propelled by a desire to prove to himself and the world that he can meaningfully contribute to society despite his physical challenge. The 24-year-old from Tirunelveli, says he found his calling to create awareness about HIV/AIDS among youngsters two years ago.

His USP: "When they see me taking the effort to travel from Tirunelveli to Chennai in 120 days on this cycle, most of them feel they can also do more to help persons with HIV/AIDS."

Nelson usually hands out his questionnaires, provided by the Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society (TANSACS), at bus stops, teashops, lorry and autorickshaw stands between 6.15 a.m. and 9.30 p.m.

People do not just stop and stare at the big `Eradicate AIDS' banner fitted on the tricycle. Some of them share how they became HIV positive — mostly widows or abandoned wives who turned commercial sex workers to feed themselves. Then there are those who would start by taunting Nelson with "Isn't this useless?" or "Aren't you cycling around using your hands because you cannot get married?"

Nelson's reply breaks the ice: "It is useful. I am doing this because I want to help people."

According to TANSACS deputy director M. Subbiah, Nelson's interest and the personal approach make a lot of difference. "He is able to meet people and communicate with ease," says Mr. Subbiah.

When an irascible bunch of lorry drivers from Namakkal used the "women entice us into unprotected sex while on the road" argument this year, Nelson countered in the same vein. He asked whether they would avoid potholes or jump into them with their vehicles just because there are so many on the way.

Nelson further drove home the point by telling them how his cycle tube has `HIV/AIDS' because he took the tube to various service stations for filling air.

"It works better than any pamphlet," says this sprightly young man, who loves to play cricket. He attributes his successful run to his supportive parents back home at Ittamozhi in Tirunelveli.

Though he is doing his final year B Com by distance mode from Alagappa University, future plans remain to cycle all over the State to promote blood donation, eradicate child labour and HIV/AIDS.

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