Candlelight vigil held in memory of AIDS victims

Around 400 people gathered in front of Jantar Mantar to observe the 24th annual International AIDS Candlelight memorial day.

A vigil was organised on the occasion by Delhi State AIDS Control Society, BioLytical Laboratories, Oxfam, World Vision and St. John's Ambulance Brigade, on Sunday evening.

The vigil was held in memory of those who lost their lives to AIDS, as well as to reinforce the demand for new anti-retroviral drugs to be introduced by the Indian government.

Actress and social worker Nafisa Ali was the chief guest at the event.

Several HIV positive men and women joined the vigil. "I came here because many of my friends have died due to AIDS, and I want an answer to that. Why do they have to die?" asked Vidya, a sex-worker.

Tenzing, a student, came to protest. "I'm not HIV positive but I want to fight for those suffering from the syndrome."

Protestors raised slogans and carried signs "Hume jeene ke liye 2nd ARV (anti-retroviral) chaiye".

Hari Shankar Singh of the Delhi Network of Positive People said, "There are a lot of new medicines available like the 2nd line ARV, but they are not being used in India. We want them to be used here to treat HIV patients."

Addressing the rally, Nafisa Ali said, "I have asked the government to start the 2nd line ARV. It suppresses the virus."

Feroze Khan of the Positive Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS claimed, "Sixty-seven per cent of the funds granted by the World Bank for AIDS control are returned because of mismanagement. Only 33 per cent of the funds are actually utilised."

Instances from Brazil, Thailand and South Africa show that the first line ARV, which is used in India, isn't effective for many patients. However, newer first or second line drugs have not been made available by the government. Several organizations working with AIDS/HIV are calling for their introduction.