Positively Yours (from Goa)

February 1, 2006

Positively Yours

Preetu Nair (the article appeared in Gomantak Times, Panjim dated 31/01/2006)

VASCO, Goa:

This is not an ordinary tale of a Hindu boy meets a Muslim girl, falls in love

with her and marries her! This is an extraordinary tale of unconditional love

and trust. When Raju and Shabnam met, they shared a similar problem. They were

both HIV positive but had the eternal urge to live happily.

Finally, Sunday marked an unusual moment in the young couple's life. They

became, perhaps, the first HIV couple in Goa to tie the knot. The 21-year-old a

painter by profession converted to Islam and changed his name to Niyaz to marry

the woman of his dreams at Zindagi office, amidst applause and blessings from

relatives and friends.

The couple is confident that their love will guide them till life's candles

flutter and burn low. " I wed her forever, not for the brief years on earth. I

wed her for the life beyond the tears, beyond the pain and the clouded brow, "

said Niyaz.

When he was detected HIV positive, he was shocked and scared. He used to

regularly visit Zindagi, a support group for people living with HIV/AIDS for

advice and help. During one of his visits, he met Shabnam, who was working at

Zindagi. Cupid struck and soon they decided to get married. " I was alone and

scared. I am happy to find a partner who is HIV positive like me. For us,

marriage is about accepting the truth and living well, even with a killer

disease, " Niyaz.

For Shabnam, a widow, marriage to Niyaz is the beginning of a new chapter in her

life. Two years back, her world crumbled around her when her husband died of

AIDS soon after the marriage. She, too, was detected HIV positive and her

in-laws blamed her for their son's death. " I have cried a lot and cursed myself

for the misfortunes. But now I have a reason to live and laugh, " says Shabnam.

" Together with the gift of trust and love we will create our own home, " adds

Niyaz.

There love is ought to inspire many who shy away from accepting their HIV

positive status due to fear of stigma and live a life of fear and oblivion!

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