Picture this, when somebody talks about HIV/AIDS or you think about it,
what comes in your in mind, obviously drug users or addicts. Is it
ignorance, lack of awareness or fact, among the people of Manipur that
HIV/AIDS problem is so related with drug addiction or users that this two
things have becomes almost synonymous.
What about the other factors?
If
not all but eighty percent of the common people are least bother about
it.
Even a trained professional doctor, when somebody with HIV positive
approaches him or her, the question is probably 'Are you an ex-drug
user'.
Though the main causes are drug related, there are many other factors
that lead to HIV/AIDS problems especially in Manipur. How it is
transmitted?
Which type of age group are most prone or likely to spread or
already affected and how, where, when? There are so many questions need to
consider.
Well as for now let us keep aside drug related problem as majority of
us already knew that it is the main causes of the dreaded epidemic. We
are in a society where sex related talks or suggestions are still a
taboo.
From the time immemorial it is our customary for a boy and girl or
opposite sex to fell in love and when they plan to get married they
eloped, then their elders or parents fixed up the marriage plan. We do not
practice arranged marriage that much other than in some rare case.
Once two persons of opposite sex fall in love, not only in our society but
it is human nature that sexual intimacy is much at some point of their
relations. And then who cares what, all the way it is ecstasy until they
get married or broke up along the way.
They do not bother what their
partners were what in the past. Is she the first one to fall in love with
him or sexual intimacy, vice versa? They do not bother at all other
than some of them who are extra cautious.
So the point is this are one of the many other factors of spreading
this dreaded disease among the teenagers or youths of Manipur which we
consider the pillars of the our society and it is just the tip of the
iceberg of the many factors that leads to this disease.
Though I might
sound little bit exaggerating this is the undeniable fact in a way,
HIV/AIDS is not only drugs related but so many other factors we need to
consider especially among the youths.
Government, NGOs, social workers and
individuals, it is high time to emphasize so many other areas other than
drug related problems. We need to come up with a more comprehensive,
cohesive systematic plan or awareness very soon to control this epidemic.
It is somehow increasing at an alarming rate, an insidious diabolic
force is somewhat affecting not only our society but the whole of mankind.
Lastly, I would like to request all the people of Manipur, doctors,
engineers, scientists, student, Christians, Hindus, Muslims, brothers and
sisters, mothers and fathers it is high time we fight together against
this dreaded disease.
Let us not forget HIV/AIDS not only kills human
being or affected victim's family members but rather it affects the
society, mankind as a whole both socially and economically. We are all
sitting in the same boat.
Let me wind up for now with this quote from Irish writer (Late) Iris
Murdoch
"Human being fall in love with many ways, in friendship, in sex
and when they are in love.
They cherished so many things plants, trees,
flowers and even stones."
Let us fight together against this dreaded
disease, spread love and show that we do really care and let us not
forget those who are already affected or gone away due to this disease.
(So far officially from September, 1986 to July, 2005, 497 persons have
died and 15,523 individuals are positive with HIV in the state of
Manipur)
Alberto Mangsatabam, a resident of New Delhi, writes regularly to e-pao.net
You can email the writer at [email protected]
This article was webcasted on 14th November 2005.
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