Date:22/05/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/05/22/stories/2006052204980300.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Others

`AIDS patients are not untouchables'

Staff Reporter

Collector, MLA dispel misgivings

ANANTAPUR: In a gesture to allay misgivings about AIDS patients in the society and to develop a sense that they are cared for, several district officials including District Collector Dasari Kadmial and elected representatives including two legislators and Mayor of Anantapur had a community breakfast with several AIDS patients here on Sunday.

The act of solidarity was jointly convened by District AIDS Control Society and Anantha Positives' Network. Legislators B. Narayana Reddy and S. Sailajanath, Mayor R. Parasuram and several district officials and non-officials had breakfast along with the AIDS patients.

The objective of the effort was to spread a message in the society that AIDS would not spread just with living together and having food together. Anantapur legislator B. Narayana Reddy said few women and poor were falling prey to AIDS during their migration for livelihood. Similarly, few affluent people were also contracting the diseases while fulfilling their carnal desires with others.

`Safeguard human rights'

KADAPA: Human rights of AIDS patients should be safeguarded and they must not be outcast by society or subjected to stigma, Collector G. Asok Kumar said on Sunday.

HIV was not a contagious disease, he said while participating in a community breakfast for public figures, Government officials and HIV/AIDS affected persons organised by Avahan Project on International Candle Light Memorial Day.