Viju, Mangalore
Veenadhari
"I am HIV +ve, does that make me a lesser human being?" questions Veenadhari, Mangalore. "If I keep it a secret, it will not do any good to me and to those who are, like me, infected and dying every day. Instead my opening up will inspire them to come out of their life of insecurity and daily death to a life of acceptance and co-existence", says Veena.
What made Veena, an AIDS patient, face the world so boldly is a question that is first likely to arise in one's mind. In her words "AIDS is just like any disease and spreads under certain conditions. Society has given it a stigma and the victims of this stigma are the millions of infected people in India. I realised this after being infected and, from then on, my life has changed. I now work for those who are infected with HIV."
Crossing all boundaries of social secrecy and stigma, Veena fights two battles…one within herself…and the other, which she calls the most important purpose of her life, to provide a better life to those similarly infected.
With the infrastructure and support from Valored, Veena has made helping the infected live a better life her prime focus. She no longer lives in her house… instead she now calls a small room near Valored home. She does occasionally keep in touch with her family members.
If the stigma associated with AIDS has to be removed then more and more people must come forward and not be ashamed of disclosing their ailment, feels Veena. An HIV+ patient needs to have a good diet, disciplined living, regular exercise, especially yoga and pranayama, to keep oneself in a good condition. Ayuverda provides certain guidelines for this and has proven beneficial to AIDS patients, informs Veena.
Veena, who broke up with her alcoholic husband, lived separate for a certain period of time. Her husband, who got infected with the HIV virus after having a relationship with another woman, unknowingly passed it on to Veena in a drunken stupor. When her husband's health deteriorated and he was diagnosed as HIV +ve, it was a deadly blow to Veena. She soon found out that she too had contracted the disease.
This lady, who hailed from a rich family, now lives a simple life by choice. A full time social worker, Veena has been instrumental in identifying women who are infected and providing them help. An AIDS patient needs medical help, support and guidance but more importantly, it is the emotional element that needs to be addressed. They need to be loved and cared and not cornered. Proper guidance can enable them to live with their families and be good mothers and wives actively involved in every aspect of social life, says Veena. I am a living example of this, she adds.
One is astonished to hear Veena express "I am living a better life after being infected. Now I truly know what life is. I am exploring my full potential, my creativity, my talents and channeling them not towards self but towards others. Both women and men need assistance. Several couples, whom I have helped through Valored, are now living a contended life. They live a planned life, have safe sex, take necessary precautions and that's it. They are doing well knowing their ailment."
From door to door, village to village Veena has reached out to identify HIV infected persons. This has certainly not been a bed of roses for her. She has received several threats. She believes that the medical field is her major threat. "Doctors threaten me because I advice the patients not to depend on the expensive medicines but instead on systematic and planned living. I don't care about the doctors for they are selfish and not concerned about the infected, instead they are more concerned in selling the highly priced medicine and getting commissions", says Veena.
The Karavali +ve Women's Network, which is a dream come true for Veena, has taken off along with NGOs. Veena lives free. She does is not bound by time. "I dance, sing, draw, make posters, write songs, go on field work and this is my life. My life is based on living in the present" ascertains Veena. She lives on natural living with the use of Alovera and other medicinal herbs, yoga etc. "I often forget that I am a HIV +ve as I am completely involved in my work. At times I am astonished to find myself working literally day and night without any fatigue. I have learnt to do my work with commitment and hard work", says Veena.
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