Uttar Pradesh network of people +ve at the 'Magh Mela'

[Guest guest]

Dear friends,

Uttar Pradesh network of people +ve (UPNP+) has again set a wonderful example

for all of us to see how effectively prevention messages can be given to the

society with minimum cost. In Allahabad, Magh Mela is going on for a month.

Fifteen days has been already over.

UPNP+ decided that it would send out prevention and other relevant care &

support messages in this Mela where around 40 lakh devotees from all over India

will be attending. For the camp site and other necessary arrangement the

District Magistrate, Allahabad, Project Director, UPSACS and other agencies were

approached; all of them promised support but nothing has been received till

date. UPNP+ then went to its individual well wishers and raised an amount for

initial hiring of the tents & other necessary things including the day to day

expenses on volunteers who are all positive. Project Director, UPSACS has been

quick enough to send IEC materials to the camp site but financial support is yet

to be extended.

I spent two days down there and here are my observations:

The confidence of the volunteers have increased tremendously, they are not

hesitant to talk to people there including police, devotees, religious

institutions and finally the sleeping health department officials and convince

them about the need of HIV education & prevention messages. For them it was not

an errand but they were doing it as if they are possessed. I sometimes told them

to take rest but the reply I got in vernacular is “we got infected as we were

not aware – our society did not ensure that prevention messages did reach us –

but sir if we can carry out our social responsibility properly for a month then

many people like us will be able to save themselves from getting infected.

Sitting in AC office or five star hotel and talking about HIV prevention and

education has achieved a great deal - today around 5 lakh people are HIV+ in

Uttar Pradesh alone – let us try do add something to reduce the transmission. We

can rest after one month”.

People are flocking to them in the Mela. Sadhus, women, men, labourers,

officials, police, students and even old people were flooding them with

questions of all sorts and they faced them. At some places they were of the

verge of being mobbed for information.

Every one said I know a friend/brother/ sister/ bhabi/ neigbour has it – how can

they be treated. On spot counseling sessions were being organised and in two

days alone around to hundred people came forward to seek information of care &

support for their infected near & dear ones. Women also came forward for

sessions. (I can not attach photos or they were a great visual treat). The best

part is the support from the religious institutions for making this effort more

acceptable. It broke the myth that religious institutions (read Hindu) would

oppose these efforts and they can be effective partners in the fight against

HIV.

Please join me in congratulating UPNP+ for this innovative effort and also as

fifteen days are still to go for the Magh Mela to end, I would request all of

you to write to the following authorities for immediate support:

S. P. Goyal, PD, UPSACS - sacs_up@...; pd_upsacs@...; 0522

– 2238942;

Amrit Abhijat, District Magistrate – Allahabad – 0532 -2440515 fax –

0532-2250290;

R. Ramani, Chief Secretary - csup@...; 0522 – 2621599, 2238212, fax –

0522-2239283.

I strongly believe that if Govt. supports this endeavour of UPNP+ even at this

point of time then we all reach out to lakhs of people all over India with

strong & effective prevention & non discriminatory message.

In solidarity

Suman Jana

E-mail: janasuman@...