Karnataka - Mysore   

A shrine for ‘AIDS Amma’

— PHOTO: M.A. SRIRAM

Free and fair: The ‘AIDS Amma’ being taken in a procession in Mysore.

MYSORE: It was a jathra (fair) with a difference. So different that it has aroused the curiosity of academicians of prestigious universities, including Harvard University, U.S.

Held at Menasikyathanahalli near Mysore, the jathra was dedicated to “AIDS Amma” or the Goddess of AIDS. It is definitely a tradition of a Goddess in the making in this hamlet on the road to T. Narsipura and is an effort to create greater public awareness on AIDS.

An initiative of teacher Girish, the concept of using a shrine to create public awareness was an idea that came to him way back in 1998. He was posted there as a teacher and learnt of a person who contracted AIDS and who was ostracised by the community before his miserable death.

After that, Girish installed a stone sculpture and dedicated it to the “Goddess of AIDS” to create greater awareness among the public. Whether his efforts will backfire, as his critics aver, is something that we will have to wait and see. Perhaps, it may prove to have a positive impact on the public perception of AIDS. The jathra was held nevertheless and is considered to be unique. As is the “shrine” dedicated to AIDS. But there is more to this jathra that was held on Saturday. Free medical check-up and street plays, apart from blood donation and a procession held by school students marked the event.

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