'India has made significant strides in targeting the HIV epidemic'

It was in the 90s, when philanthropist and society doyenne  Parmeshwar Godrej was prompted to learn more about the HIV epidemic globally and in India, the underlying causes, the crippling stigma and discrimination that lie at the heart of the challenge in tackling this crisis.

In a bid to create awareness, on the occasion of World AIDS Day, Parmeshwar, organised a screening of Reels & Lives, a short film by amateurs on the lives of people impacted by HIV — sex workers, transgender persons, women, men and children. There was also a book launch yesterday — Not like Most Young Girls that tells 18 true stories on HIV.

Parmeshwar recalls, “The more I learnt, the more I felt I needed to be personally involved in doing whatever I could, to chip away at the ignorance and complacency that pervaded our society as a whole regarding HIV. Thus Heroes Project was born. We’re fortunate to have longstanding associations with celebrities beginning with Richard Gere, who along with Karan Johar, is my co-chair, and who fostered my engagement with the issue, stalwarts like Bill and Melinda Gates, who’ve done so much to fund crucial global public health projects including Avahan in our own country.”

She emphasises that those in position of power should lend support to such causes. “Those who enjoy power and are in a position to engage and influence huge populations should do so. It really doesn’t take a huge effort. To know that you’ve made such a difference, thanks to the station of life you’re in — that is true power, which goes beyond titles, income or mass popularity,” she stresses.

She also believes that storytelling is an effective way to drive home a social message and hence, the film screening. “Large parts of India remain without adequate monitoring. Access to prevention and care remains inadequate for most people vulnerable to HIV. Why is this? The answer is stigma, stigma, stigma. Society still treats HIV positive people like dirt — they often lose their jobs, their families, social circles shun them, their children are thrown out of school. This happens in cities like Mumbai too, where we should know better. It’s ironic that the health care sector itself is hugely stigmatising when it comes to HIV. There’s no doubt that India as a whole, and cities like Mumbai in particular, have made significant strides in targeting the epidemic from a holistic perspective. But slipping back now is not an option,” advocates Parmeshwar.

So what eggs her on, on a day-to-day-life? She is quick to reply, “My wonderful family — my husband, children and grandchildren. I cherish the time I spend with them more than any treasure in the world!”