NRIs in the Gulf asked to undergo HIV tests before marriage

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NRIs in the Gulf asked to undergo HIV tests before marriage

Sunday February 12 2006 14:49 IST

PTI

DUBAI: With AIDS cases touching epidemic proportions, parents of

marriageable girls seeking alliances with NRIs settled in the gulf

are increasingly asking the prospective bridegrooms to undergo HIV

tests.

Societal pressures from parents and NGOs in India are driving the

motion, the 'Gulf News' reported.

" The surge in HIV positive cases in India is also one of the reasons

for gulf-based grooms being put under the scanner, " an Abu Dhabi-

based prominent community member, who did not want to be named, was

quoted as saying by the paper.

" Not to mention that HIV positive cases are also highlighted by the

media over here. I do not see any harm in parents demanding an

HIV/AIDS test. Who would want to risk their lives. It's better to be

safe than sorry, " he said.

The demand to undertake an HIV/AIDS test is also due to the supposed

free morals obtaining in some parts of the region, according to the

daily.

" I felt scandalised when the brothers of this girl that I had set my

heart on hinted that a HIV/AIDS test be done. I never thought in my

wildest dreams that they would be serious about it, " said Sanjay

Trilok Gupta, a 32-year-old Dubai-based jeweller.

" There is no point in placing the blame on anybody over this. One

thing that we all are aware of is that HIV/AIDS has reached epidemic

proportions. I do not see any harm if required to undergo a test, "

said Arvind Mukherjee who works in a Dubai-based public relations

agency.

According to K Kumar, convenor of the Indian community welfare

committee, getting medical certificates verified by both the parties

is a sensible move.

However, there are some who do not agree with the argument

of " better safe than sorry " .

A prospective groom when asked to undertake the HIV/AIDS test by his

prospective in-laws in India said he felt " insulted and humiliated "

in front of his parents.

" At first I thought that they were playing a prank on me. But I was

shocked to learn that the whole thing was said in all seriousness, "

said Krishnadas, a 28-year-old businessman.

" Outraged at their demand, I asked them to get the same test done on

their daughter. Whereupon I was nonplussed to find the father of the

girl coolly pulled out a paper that certified his daughter's

innocence in the matter. "

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