The Hindu : New Delhi News : An attempt to mitigate the sufferings of kids with AIDS

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An attempt to mitigate the sufferings of kids with AIDS

Madhur Tankha

Parliamentarians assure support for the Bill

Photo: Sandeep Saxena

Common platform: (From left) Film-maker Nagesh Kukunoor, senior Congress leader Oscar Fernandes, Union Minister of State for Rural Development Agatha Sangma and cricketer Virender Sehwag at an interface between children affected by HIV/AIDS and parliamentarians in New Delhi on Thursday.

NEW DELHI: It was a meeting of hearts as parliamentarians and those from fields as diverse as cinema and cricket had an interface with children affected by HIV/AIDS here on Thursday.

The reassurance that they will do their best to drum up support for the HIV/AIDS Bill that is aimed at mitigating the impact of the epidemic on women and children was music to the ears of all those who were curious to know certain provisions of the Bill.

In his inaugural speech, senior Congress leader Oscar Fernandes said he first realised the terrible consequence of the AIDS epidemic when he met a jawan suffering from the disease. “The jawan told me that he was suffering from HIV and would no longer be allowed to enter my office. His parents had ostracised him and he was dejected. I realised that AIDS was no longer restricted to statistics but had entered our homes. My first reaction was to save my children. My daughter has done an internship at the United Nations and has been involved in youth forum leadership to keep HIV at bay. Even though there are other contentious issues, I want to assert that it will be our priority to table the Bill in Parliament.”

Bollywood film-maker Nagesh Kukunoor said it was much easier making movies than speaking from the same platform where Mr. Fernandes had delivered such an inspiring speech.

“While I was making Rockford I had a bad car accident near Salem and was bleeding profusely. I was rushed to a small government hospital. Even though I was in a semi-conscious state, I told the doctor that under no circumstances he should give me blood transfusion. Even in that vulnerable position I had fear of contacting the disease. I appeal to the powers that be to push forward the Bill.”

Pitching for the early passage of the Bill to enable children affected by the disease to get their due rights, cricketer Virender Sehwag said even though players were spending a lot of time on the field yet they were aware of social issues plaguing the society.

“When I made my debut in 2001, Anil Kumble, Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid supported various causes. It is sad that nobody wants to talk to children affected by HIV/AIDS. As a cricketer I want to reassure the children present here that they will get their rights. I want all of you to live your live fully.”

Union Minister of State for Rural Development Agatha Sangma said even though her tenure as an MP and Minister has just begun she realises her responsibility as a parliamentarian to get the Bill passed.

“Each one of us has to work in a particular role to see to it that the Bill is passed without any further delay. Our parliamentarians are knowledgeable and are aware of the issue. I will muster support among MPs for this important Bill.” The interface was organised by Plan India, a child-centred development organisation.

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