Imphal, October 21: There is no reason why any HIV infected/affected woman should feel isolated and brood over the dark days of uncertainty that they used to face earlier.

Bound by a common understanding of their predicament, many of them are now joining hands together in forming Self Help Groups (SHGs) to generate income and make themselves financially independent quite successfully.

Their involvement in the work even leave no room for worrying over their HIV status any more.

With Ningol Chak-kouba festival just few days away, the demand for handloom products of the SHGs formed by the HIV infected/affected has caught the fancy of the people and these born-again women are trying hard to meet the demand.

According to report of Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MACS), the number of HIV positive women in Manipur till August this year is 5323.Besides tapping their weaving skills, formation of SHGs have also provided a platform to understand each others' problem and share each moment of happiness and sorrow among the HIV infected/affected women who seem to have at also found purpose and joy of living alive.

Formed together by 10 HIV infected/affected, 'Etaroi' Self Help Group is one such SHG which is being promoted by Nirvana Foundation.

The Etaroi was set up as part of 'Project Laisna' in September this year with sponsorship from Indian Network of Positive People (INP+).

Though established recently with only six handlooms at disposal, all the 10 women members are involving themselves so devotedly in their weaving activities that they have even forgotten about their own HIV status and the gloomy days they have spent.

�At one time, I thought of even committing suicide.

But after coming here and sharing my experiences with other women like me, I am not worrying about my HIV status any more�, said a member.

Apart from Sundays and General holidays, the daily working hours for these women weavers is from 10 am to 4 pm.

But with Ningol Chakkouba festival just a few days away and sudden spurt in the demands of their products, they show no sign of any weariness in meeting the demands of the people.

Since its establishment in September this year, this SHG has produced 180 cloths of different kinds so far and has pending demand for supplying around 60 more.

Marketing manager of the SHG L Priya said even if the SHG is of recent origin if it continues to sustain the present pace, then it would definitely set an example in providing succour to more and more HIV infected/affected females.

"Though money is required for living, peace of mind could not be purchased with money.

What is more important is the emotional support being extended among themselves through group activities.

This is the message being conveyed by the members of �Etaroi� to the people.

Other SHGs being promoted by Manipur Network of Positive People are also working tirelessly to fulfil the demands of supplying handloom products ahead of the Ningol Chakkouba festival.

Consisting of 12 to 15 members, four SHGs each in Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal and Bishnupur district and one in Sugnu are being operated currently.

One of the SHGs of the Imphal East district known as Punshi is engaged mainly in producing block printed cloths with price ranging from Rs 65 to Rs 70.So far around 300 block printed cloths have been produced and sold by this SHG ahead of the Ningol Chakkouba festival and demand for supply for 120 cloths still pending.

A single weaver of the Living Together, another SHG being functioned under Meitei Leimarol Sinnaisang reported weaved as many as 30 cloths in one week.

Marketing the products of this SHG of former commercial sex workers who have been either infected or affected with HIV, is not a problem at all with many placing supply order in bulk.

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