Candlelight memorial service today

The HIV infrected children studying in schools too are being distributed an incentive of  Rs 900 at the gram panchayat levels.

Social boycott

In all, there are 500 children who are affected in the district, out of which only 110 are utilising the benefits.

The remaining are not showing interest in utilising the schemes meant for them as they fear that they would be branded as the AIDS patients, which would spread among the villagers like wildfire and would be socially boycotted.

Around 66 people were identified as HIV infected to distribute Antyodaya cards in the district, out of this only a single person has received the card. The Department of Food and Civil Supplies and Health are not showing any interest towards the same, he flayed.

Homage

An International candle light memory day would be observed in the city at 11 am on May 19, in a gesture to pay homage to those who passed away due to AIDS and to instill confidence among the existing patients.

The programme has been organised in joint association with District AIDS Controlling Unit and various self help groups.

Deputy Commissioner K Amaranarayana will inaugurate the programme. An awareness programme on preventing AIDS, and remove the disparity in the society will also be held on the occasion.

Dr Mahadev, Jagadish, Syed Rafiq, Rajashekar, Sumithra, Umar were present.