Community radio is fast emerging as a powerful tool of social change. It first started in 2002 in India when drought hit villagers in Karnataka resorted to radio to vent their anger against a defunct panchayat which later had to solve the water problem to escape further embarrassment. Even youngsters like us are using community radio to voice our opinions on anything ranging from water crisis in the area to sanitation, to political scenario to discrepancies in educational system. That makes me think why can’t we have a community radio service run by HIV patients. That would be an answer to the ostracism they face in society. Well, NGOs can work it out.
One can post matrimonial ads on (HIV-HIV) marriages, something which we are already finding in newspapers these days. It can adopt a model which is somewhere between vividh bharathi and a radio mirchi. I think this kind of initiative will not only provide employment to HIV patients, but also narrow the gap between their fraternity and the society. Considering the fact that there are a number of educated HIV positive people in the society, the task doesn’t seem impossible. Besides it can air stories on the trials, tribulations, achievements and problems of the fraternity, in an interesting manner with lots of debates and people participation. If worked out well, i see it as a great platform for them to show their creativity in the form of plays and music.
Let it start in urban centres first, then rural areas can take a cue and modify the content accordingly to reach out to people using traditional art forms.
This kind of an initiative is extremely necessary to make people realise that Look, they are like you and me; they think the same and feel the same.
Why can’t we do our bit to make life for them a wonderful experience. Let’s make it a debate in classrooms, homes and chai ki kitlis. I have a gut feeling the initiative will be taken by the right people if we keep the discussion alive.