Goa CM shares food plate with HIV-positive children

Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar shared a meal with HIV-positive children, to dispel the misconception that the dreaded disease is transmitted by a mere touch.

The chief minister shared lunch yesterday with more than 30 children at an orphanage where they are currently studying.

These children were in the news recently after a section of parents of normal kids, studying along with the HIV-affected kids at a school in South Goa, had demanded their suspension from the school.

"I will provide all the support for these children. I am here to eradicate the belief that HIV spreads through touching or sharing meal," Parrikar told reporters after eating food. The chief minister had last month announced in the Legislative Assembly about sharing food with HIV-affected children.

"I will eat from a common plate with an HIV-positive child to prove my belief that the disease is not transmittable (by casual contact). If HIV were spread by physical contact then every human being would test positive. It does not spread like a common cold," he had said.