Imphal, September 24: Despite the efforts being made by various NGOs working in the field of HIV/AIDS to spread awareness among the people, it seems Mani-pur society has not been able to free itself completely from the unwarranted �stig-ma and discrimination' symptom.

The testimonials given by �unwitting victims of the dreaded virus', during the one day advocacy meeting on quality education for infected children organised by Manipur Network of Positive People (MNP) at the Loklaobung office of the MNP Service Voluntary Centre today, bring out this harsh reality to the fore.

�I also like to wear uni-form and go to school like my friends.

But apart from not having the money, I can not bear the discriminatory attitude of the people, so would like to stay far away from them', said a 12-year old HIV positive orphan-girl, who is now living with her 70-year old nanny. Another boy said, �I used to go to school even after my parents died.

But unable to face the social stigma and discrimination on account of my HIV status, I stopped going to classes, and takes up the job of a salesman in a shop.

�The problems that I used to face earlier has been solved to a certain extend after the support given by the MNP', the young boy added with a sense of relief which was quite apparent on his innocent face.

The testimonial of a widow, who took part in the meeting as a representative of MNP, Thoubal unit raised a serious question on the level of awareness on HIV/AIDS even among the medical professionals.

She recalled that she came to her husband and her son were HIV Positive some 10 years back and at that time social stigma and discrimination towards the HIV infected/affected persons was very high that even the compounder of a health centre at Thoubal refused to touch her for giving injection despite knowing that she was not HIV positive.

�After the death of by husband and my son, I have been surviving for the sake of my daughter', she said, with a firm determination to dispel the misgivings surro-unding the HIV/AIDS.

Expressing concern over the increasing number of HIV infected children in Manipuri society who do not even get enough food to eat far from getting quality education, she said it would not any surprising if these destitute children took to robbery and started taking laws into their own hands when they grew up.

Before such a situation arrived, it is high time for every section of the society to join hands in fighting against the menace of HIV/AIDS, she added.

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