I am indeed delighted to participate in the "Conclave: HIV/AIDS - A Uniformed Intervention" organized by Assam Rifles Wives Welfare Association. I greet the members of Assam Rifles Wives Welfare Association, officers, and all ranks of Assam Rifles and the distinguished guests. I would like to discuss with you on the topic "Indomitable Spirit".

CII Leadership conclave

When I am with the members of Assam Rifles, I would like to narrate an incident which took place in Bangalore where I addressed the members of CII attending the Leadership Conclave on 20th Aug 2005. There I asked two questions to be answered by all participants. The two questions were (a) What I have learnt so far in my life? (b) "What I will be remembered for?" I asked the members to correspond with me through email.

Response from a participant

Smt Asha Ramaiah who is presently working as National Advocacy Officer for Indian Network for people living with HIV/AIDS and herself a HIV/AIDS patient since 1995, gave touching answers to both these questions.

As an answer to the first question "What I have learnt so far in my life?", she said,

The true learning in my life began when I had to face the reality of my situation. First, my husband?s family turned me away from their home and later even my father told me to leave our house. I became like any other abandoned woman to face alone my destiny as a fallen leaf would drift with the wind. At the first instance I had to preserve my life and then stand up and face up to the challenges of existence. Thanks to the strength of my womanhood, I could absorb the feeling of shock leading to a realization that my loved ones need support and I am responsible to make efforts to bring change in the lives of other people living with HIV/AIDS in India.

Today with constant efforts that I made, and the support that received from my fellow people living with HIV, I received an acceptance in my community that even people with high positions come to me for an opinion, guidance and counseling on various personal issues. My parents are proud that I have become a role model for others to follow. With a convinced family and a good peer support, I got remarried to another person living with HIV in the year 2000. He has given me ample support to work with my fellow people living with HIV for betterment of our lives.

I learned when we had to decide upon having a child, how difficult it is for one to make decisions at the face of uncertainties; plunging into the unknown that may have the risk of having a HIV positive child. We decided to follow the medical guidelines to reduce the risk. We came victorious waiting for years when it was confirmed that our child has no infection. We learnt that, dreams do come true but only when you own them and accept the responsibility of any possible risk in pursuing them.

Now we have the responsibility for planning the future of my child for the next 20 years. Our quality life time can be utilized for imparting our parental responsibility by ensuring him education, security and future. I also learnt that I have the responsibility to share the message that all parents living with HIV/AIDS should participate in training programmes and plan their children?s healthy future.

For the second question "What I will be remembered for?" She said,

I will be remembered by the People living with HIV/AIDS of many parts of the country and my family, relatives and associates for the courage, I showed to stand up and face life, and for my efforts in sharing the light I have acquired in the midst of struggle.

Friends, the message we get from the above experience of Smt. Asha is that as human beings we may get into a problem. But we should not get defeated. We should find out ways of converting this very problem to our advantage. In the case of Assam Rifles, I understand that there are 139 cases of HIV/AIDS infection in the regiment. If all the 139 members take the step adopted by Smt. Asha, that is the courage, I am sure they will ensure that no further HIV / AIDS case enters into Assam Rifles and to the uniformed people. I would also suggest, the Assam Rifles Wives Welfare Association can invite her to share her indomitable spirit, of conquering HIV / AIDS and be of societal help to many infected persons with the affected Jawans and their families.

The courage we see how the lady defeated the disease and most importantly she withstood the onslaught of stigma hurled at her by the parents, husband and the society. This I call as indomitable spirit of a HIV affected person. What is the indomitable spirit? When I am talking to you about the courageous life of Ashaji, I am reminded of the saint poet Thiruvalluvar, who composed a classic of 1330 verses called Thirukkural 2500 years ago. I would like to highlight two of the kurals which portrays the " Indomitable Spirit ".

Indomitable spirit

For success in any mission what we need is indomitable spirit. Let us study the characteristics of indomitable spirit. It has two components. The first component is that there must be a Vision leading to higher goals of achievement. I would like to recall a couplet from Thirukkural by the Poet Saint Thiruvalluvar written 2500 years ago.

Quote:





It means that whatever may be the depth of the river or lake or pond, whatever may be the condition of the water, the lilly flower always comes out and blossoms. Similarly, if there is a definite determination to achieve a goal even if it is impossible to achieve, the man succeeds.

Many of us have gone through large programmes and projects in our life including Ashaji. We would have experienced that success is not in sight and there are many hurdles. The same poet reminds us at this point of time through another couplet:





We should never be defeated by any problems. We should become master of the situation and defeat the problems. I consider these two Thirukkurals characterize the indomitable spirit.

Now I would like to talk about the training programmes for the Jawans and the families.

Training Programme for Jawans and Families

The Assam Rifles Wives Welfare Association can embark on a training programme and train the 139 members on the effects of AIDS and the methods which are required to prevent occurrence of AIDS and treat at an early stage the cases which are encountered. This training programme must be carried out regularly for all Assam Rifle Personnel once or twice in a month. It is preferable that both the spouses attend the training programme together wherever they are in a family station. This will have a salutary effect on preventing future cases. They should know disease can be contained. I understand that Armed Forces Medical Services has a training package with films available with them. I would request the ARWWA to get in touch with DG, AFMS and seek his assistance in getting the training package. Also, the first few lectures can be given by the experienced trainers of AFMS.

The training programme must bring out that India has developed the medicine to contain the HIV and prevent it from further spreading. Regarding prevention, I am sure in 3 to 5 years time, an anti-HIV vaccine will emerge in our own country. The most important thing for all of you to remember is how HIV infection spreads. Particularly in this region it spreads through drug addiction which involves re-use of syringes for injecting drugs and through infected blood transfusion. I would also stress that the Indian way of maintaining a loyal family life is the best way of leading a normal, healthy and peaceful life.

Status of HIV / AIDS in the Services

I understand that Army, Air Force and Navy have successfully brought down the occurrence of new cases. The members of Assam Rifles can adopt the strategies followed by Army in realizing this target. Army is also considering screening of new recruits for HIV/AIDS through the pre-entry medical examination. Also, they are carrying out pre-natal medical examination of the pregnant women, so that no child is born with HIV/AIDS infection. They have also got a system of treating the HIV/AIDS patient with ART (anti-retro viral therapy) as soon as the infection is detected.

Vaccine development

There are two candidate vaccines presently considered for use against sub type C virus in our country. The Indian vaccine is getting ready for trials. In view of the urgency of finding a cost effective vaccine the expert group reviewed the vaccine candidate for HIV sub type C in the pipeline. Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) based vaccine with HIV-1 sub type C (African strain) developed by Targetted Genetics Corp, USA was found to be in advanced stage of test in different parts of the world. This HIV vaccine (tgAAC09 antigen) is now undergoing Phase-I trial for safety and immunogenicity assessment in healthy HIV uninfected volunteers at National AIDS Research Institute, Pune.

Medical Support to Assam Rifles

I note that the Assam Rifles is dependent on civilian doctors recruited for the regimental hospitals and many posts are still vacant. In addition the new civilian entrants do not have adequate training and experience in managing HIV/AIDS. To overcome this situation I would suggest Assam Rifles to take AFMS Officers in their hospitals and clinics on deputation. Also, they can have an arrangement to train the probationary civilian doctors in AFMS institutions where training is imparted preventing and curing HIV /AIDS.

The Armed Forces have a very vibrant HIV/AIDS programme and incidence of HIV/AIDS has been stemmed for the last three years, and even shows a decline in 2004, despite there being an exponential rise in the other parts of the country. This programme includes information, education and communication network and establishment of Immuno Deficiency Centres. Assam Rifles can take a lead from this initiative and pool-together the very specialized experiences to nurture this nascent effort into a powerful movement.

Conclusion

I am happy to know that the Assam Rifles has been sensitive and pro-active to this dreaded disease and have created their own surveillance criteria as well as a very comprehensive information, education and communication network. In addition to this, I would like to give a good news to all of you. The anti-HIV/AIDS vaccine is undergoing clinical trials. I am sure very soon the vaccine will be available in the market which can be administered to all the personnel joining Assam Rifles. This multi prong strategy of education, training mental preparation, treatment and vaccination together will enable total eradication of HIV /AIDS from Assam Rifles.

My best wishes to all the Members of Assam Rifles Wives Welfare Association in their societal mission of making Assam Rifles HIV / AIDS free. I inaugurate the Conclave HIV/AIDS ? A Uniformed Intervention which is an important step in your mission. I am sure you will all be remembered for contribution in this noble mission.

May God bless you.

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