Aarogya - The Wellness Site

Sakaal Times
28 July 2010

Is it a curse to be living with HIV? Don’t HIV positive persons have the right to be with a companion for their emotional health? Ask Sachin and Sarika (name changed), and they will relate how happy their life is after marriage.

Tying some more knots between HIV positive couples and making their life happier, is city–based network ’Wake Up Pune’, which has organised a matrimonial camp on Sunday, August 1 exclusively for people living with HIV. The day–long event will be held at Agrasen Bhavan, Raviwar Peth from 9 am to 6 pm, and it will be open to positive community from the states of Maharashtra, Goa and Gujarat. Travel costs for female candidates will be reimbursed.

Deep Griha Society and vivah.aarogya.com – a special online matrimonial bureau for people suffering from epilepsy, cancer, HIV and other disabilities have joined hands for the event.

Recently, a similar camp was organised at Satara, where around 12 matches were made. Said coordinator of ‘Wake Up’ Pune Ryan Beckturner on Tuesday, "Such matchmaking events aid in tackling HIV–related stigma."

The couples will be provided necessary medico–legal guidance and counselling at the camp. "The couples often face issues such as pending divorce case, health issues etc.

"We make them comfortable mentally to accept the new relationship and understand the physical status of each other," said Dwijen Smart of vivah.aarogya.com

HIV positive people can register on 66010618 or online on the website.