(Sonal Singh Wadhwa is a dear friend, who runs an NGO named Maitri in New Delhi. Her contributions would be mostly on her experiences at Maitri and other social urgencies that many of us ever so conveniently ignore.)
That’s the question that comes to my mind after a conversation that I recently had with my doctor.
I live in New Delhi, and run a non-profit, Maitri, which works in the HIV/AIDS field to spread awareness on the disease to children, those in the uniformed services and their families. I was sharing details of my work with my doctor, when she started shaking her head. Just a few days ago, she had a young lady drop by her clinic. Now this young woman works in the media, lives alone in Delhi chasing (and hopefully living) the great Indian dream! She told the doctor that she is sexually active and has had numerous partners. So the next obvious question was whether she and her partner(s) use condoms, and the answer was….NO! When the doctor brought up the issue of HIV, explaining that in today’s world one has to be careful, our young independent woman of today justified her decision to not use a condom. “I don’t sleep with men who look like they have HIV.†AAAAARRRGH!!!!
One thinks that those in the media and today’s youth are better informed and aware of the causes and consequences of HIV/AIDS. Being sexually active and the choice of partner is a personal decision and will always remain so. However all of this should ideally come with a sense of responsibility and maturity to take the right decision when it comes to your own life and those that you affect.
Not only is this young girl at an extremely high risk of contracting HIV, but can give it to unsuspecting partners. HIV doesn’t discriminate on looks, religion, economic or social background or the walk of life that an individual comes from. You do know how the disease is transferred, right? HIV spreads through sexual intercourse without the use of condoms, transfusion of infected blood, sharing of needles / use of an infected needle, and finally from an infected mother to her newborn baby during delivery.
Else living the great Broken Indian Dream may become a reality for many.
Comments
7 comments | Add your comment »
Naresh
Aug 4th, 2007 at 8:18 am | #
Extremely valid point made. While we assume things are understood atleast to the educated folks, they do not seem to know many things.
Hey, I am pursuing my MBA in IIT Delhi. In case, you need to get some help in your activities, please do let me know. I would be grateful to be a part of this noble mission!
Yogustus
Aug 5th, 2007 at 5:30 am | #
err…is ladki ka kuch address weddress hai?…just kidding…wanted to stop by and say a big hi!!!
Blunderbird
Aug 6th, 2007 at 2:57 am | #
Good cause indeed. Atleast you are initiating something good. AIDS is not talked about much. The problem is most Indian people(not all) are close minded and will not hear what the other person has to say(and yes, I speak from experience). That does not mean we should not try but in this field of spreading awareness, you are looking at slim chances of improving people. In finance terms, it would be a high investment(of time) very low return cause. For me the problem lies in the schools, and the mentality of most Indians. In America, sex education is part of the curriculum and every student in tenth grade is taught how to put a condom on a dildo, and they are given the necessary information when it should be given. So if one wants to bring a real change for the long run, it MUST(not have or should) start from the schools. When that day comes, we will see a big time change. I also understand the Indian government will not let you do this, but thats because they are conservative buffoons. Please dont take this as something against your cause, I respect your work in every which way just that its not worth my effort(call me a cop out, thats fine) till I am actually able to intiate such a curriculum in schools in India and people acquire a liberal mindset which may take another 40-50 years(hard to say when). Keep it up!
Sid bhargva
Aug 6th, 2007 at 4:24 pm | #
I totally agree with the point that you’ve made over here. If one were to do a survey even among the most educated and affluent class in Metros, i am sure you’ll see a lot of stereotypes emerging. And the amazing point in the article was ‘….i don;t sleep with guys who look to have aids’….I guess there is enough work for you in metros only…why look at NE and other places….keep up the good work
PK
Aug 7th, 2007 at 7:50 am | #
This is the cause of HIV epidemic.As Gynaecologist I advise each and every person seeking MTP, to use Condom to prevent STD,HIV,Hepatitis and Pregnancy. They are more worried about Pregnancy(which can be easily terminated) than these fatal diseases with no cures. These educated(!) group are sexually liberated.They indulge in pre marital sex,sometimes with multiple partners.Even in Public discussion on TV, Pre marital sex is accepted as normal without understanding the Emotional and other consequences.’Safe Sex’ should be the most emphasised aspect of Sexual activity.—PK
Sonal Singh Wadhwa
Aug 7th, 2007 at 11:41 am | #
@Blunderbird
Thanks for your comment. Yes, sex education is critical to ensuring that HIV/AIDS awareness is spread at every level and across of stratas of society. There are many working towards this with a lot of support from schools and parents. That said, we know that we have a long way to go before sex education becomes a norm and every child graduating from school is equipped to take the right decision regarding their sexual health. Blunderbird, there are many who are open-minded and listening. They are the ones to reach out to. If we wait 40-50 years, it might be too late.
@PK
You are absolutely right. Most people associate the use of condoms with contraception, little realizing that there are other alternatives to contraception. But there is no other real alternative when it comes to protecting oneself or their partner from sexually transmitted diseases other than the use of condoms. Emotional health as a result of sexual choices makes for yet another serious discussion.
@Sid Bhargava, Naresh, Yogustus
Thank you for dropping by.
Vivek
Aug 14th, 2007 at 4:37 am | #
Sakshi, my first visit, and I’m certainly coming back. Nice gamut of posts.
As far as HIV is concerned at a school I once visited in northern Punjab several students thought condoms were just a “media created marketing-tool”
Need I say more?