Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Unfortunate

This refers to the article “Social exclusion takes another form” (July 2). Despite our tall claims that we believe in equality, our mental conditioning is such that we continue to discriminate against fellow humans on the basis of various factors. Kerala boasts of the highest literacy rate but stigmas and taboos abound in the State, one of them being the inhumane treatment of the HIV-affected.

Discrimination against HIV-positive children in schools of Kerala has attracted the attention of the government, the NHRC, the judiciary, the national media, and the President, and has even forced them to intervene in many instances. But the children continue to remain victims of social exclusion and animosity. Efforts to merge them with the mainstream are outward, and bear fruit only under pressure. The need of the hour is mutually empowering partnerships among the government, NGOs, and, most importantly, the people.

Swati Singh Baghel,
Bhopal

* * *

An encounter with a HIV-positive person evokes panic in most people in spite of the mammoth awareness campaigns being conducted by NGOs and governments. People have pre-conceived notions on various issues that are extremely difficult to change. It is unfair to say awareness programmes have failed to produce the desired impact.

Dr. N.S. Raja,
Tiruchi

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