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Positive People

Photographs by Saurabh Dua

Published: Volume 13, Issue 5, September-October, 2005

It is a real tragedy when we have to take care of an AIDS orphan. The child has been deprived of a loving family, so we step in and do our best.

-Manju Nayak

Believing that the dreaded diagnosis is not a death sentence, Akankshya – a Delhi-based care and support home run by Women’s Action Group, CHELSEA – provides a safe haven to the HIV+/AIDS infected. The dedicated effort of its doctors, coupled with the attentive care of its social workers and rehabilitated patients, has made a world of difference to the afflicted. SUMITRA SENAPATY meets founder, Doe Nair and her team who have struggled to give the virus a friendly face

The worst part of the disease is that there is no one to turn to. The isolation is frightening, a fact reinforced by Doe Nair, who runs Akankshya, an East Delhi-based care home for the HIV+ (positive)/AIDS infected: “We deal with very sick, very lonely people.” Along with Neelam Dang, Manju Manak and a group of dedicated social workers and doctors, she manages to give the dreaded virus a positive face. Most importantly, Nair and her team convince people that being declared HIV+ no longer translates into a death sentence.

It all started in 1992, when 13 live wire ladies, wives of retired army and air force officers, decided to contribute their mite for improving the quality of the lives of others less fortunate than them. Founding the Women’s Action Group, CHELSEA (Children, Health, Education, Ladies, Senior Citizens, Environment Awareness), they literally took over a nondescript Noida school and looked after the interests of 700 children for three days a week for three years. One day was devoted to education and awareness; one was dedicated to different types of vocational training and the third was clearly earmarked for health-related issues.

But, despite their good work and reputation, it was time for the women’s action group to move on when the local pradhan and a few women demanded that CHELSEA pay some monies towards the upkeep of their villages. When Nair refused, goondas and village toughies made sure that the group was evacuated from the school.It proved to be a blessing in disguise for though this spelt the end of the school project, it paved the way for Akankshya. By now AIDS related issues had turned rather ‘hot’ in India but there was an absolute void as far as NGOs in this field were concerned. With the launch of their care centre, Nair, Dang and their new team of social workers have not looked back – they form a formidable force against the deadly virus.

Hope is what keeps the inmates of the centre going too. The prospect of AIDS is so terrifying, says one, that many people do not get tested just to avoid the possibility of being given the bad news. Patients are terrified of revealing their illness because they fear the consequences. At Akankshya, the dedicated effort of the doctors and love and affection of the social workers have made a world of difference to everyone. Thirty-five-year-old Rajni is one rehabilitated worker who helps out with the patients and looks after the AIDS orphans. The fact that she is HIV+ doesn’t dither Rajni. Her salary helps support the family she lives for: 11-year-old Vipin has tested positive and lives with her, while 14-year-old Prince is with her in-laws in Punjab. “As long as I am alive, I have to take care of Vipin’s health. After my husband’s death, his family was only interested in the child who tested negative.”

Contact details:
Akankshya Care and Support Home, Women's Action Group – CHELSEA, B 17/4,
West Jyoti Nagar, Shahdara, East Delhi-110092.
Telephones: (011) 29536503, 22130451.
Email: wagchelsea@vsnl.net

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