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)