— Photo: Ashoke Chakrabarty

POSITIVE APPROACH: Governor Rameswar Thakur (centre) at a function organised by Xavier Institute of Management in Bhubaneswar on Monday.

BHUBANESWAR: For 30-year-old HIV-affected youth from Beed district of Maharashtra, life is all set to become more meaningful after six weeks. He along with 24 other students, who have come from different corners of the country, will undergo special training under management gurus here at Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar (XIMB).What is special about the group? The group belonging to `People Living with HIV (PLHIV)' will be imparted nuances of management to take leadership in society.

First of its kind

These students of varied age groups are expected to play important role in counselling, policy formulation, effective implementation and monitoring of programmes for HIV-affected population in the country as well as outside. Claimed to be first of its kind in the country, the certificate programme in Leadership And Managerial Proficiency (LAMP) has been specially formulated for the HIV affected students.

The UNDP and XIMB have joined hands to commence the unique programme, which focuses on building personal capacity of PLHIV and sharpening the professional knowledge and skills. The two organizations will bear the cost of boarding and lodging.

``We have redesigned the management courses as per the needs of PLHIV. While the group will undergo four weeks of classroom learning, another two weeks will be devoted for internship programme,'' S. Peppin, Chief Project Coordinator the Programme, said.

``We have also arranged yoga class for them and expect them to put the learning to good use after completion of the course," Mr Peppin said.

``We have had a prior talk with advocacy groups and international NGO to absorb these special managers. The organizations will be immensely benefited if the practical experiences of these graduates were incorporated during formulations of strategy and policies,'' Alka Narang, head of HIV and Development Unit, UNDP said.

Earlier, inaugurating the first induction programme, Governor Rameshwar Thakur said, ``the HIV and AIDS have posed threat to social lives and economic health of the country. There are a lot of social stigmas and barriers exist in society which need to be done away with.''

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