Global AIDS - India

An Open Letter to the President of India - - July 9, 2003

Dear Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam,

I write to draw your attention to the AIDS-INDIA Internet posting of July 8,2003, which reports the death by stoning of an HIV-infected woman in Andhra Pradesh on July 4,2003.

Such an appalling act must not be allowed to go unreported in the India mass media or without condemnation by an internationally respected leader such as yourself.

We were recently encouraged in an interchange of correspondence with you concerning discrimination against two siblings in Kerala State who were denied normal schooling in which they could interact with other children.

We felt we had caught your ear.

We ask, Dr Kalam that you offer your assurance to the people of India that such a hideous response to the presence of HIV/AIDS among your people must never be repeated and we ask for your comfort for the family of the woman involved and the wide publication of this appalling event as part of your national response to the AIDS pandemic.

I have also included herein the content of my correspondence as sent to the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.

Brian Haill,
President,
The Australian AIDS Fund Inc.,
Melbourne, Australia.

Sri.N.Chandrababu aidu,
Chief Minister,
Andhra Pradesh,
India.

July 9, 2003

Dear Chief Minister,

As the President of The Australian AIDS Fund Incorporated...an AIDS-care agency of some 17 years standing within the Australian community, I write to express our revulsion and outrage at the AIDS-INDIA posting dated July 8, 2003,which reports the stoning to death of an HIV infected woman at Kuppam in the Chittoor District on July 4, 2003.

Such a horror is not acceptable in any society in the world and must be condemned in the strongest possible and public manner.

For India itself, struggling to get to grips with its huge HIV infection rates, this dreadful act will do nothing to do away with the ignorance and fear associated with HIV/AIDS and which must be confronted head-on for the sake of India's future.

We intend to carry details of this matter on our website and we would also like to carry your response as well which we hope will include a declaration of shame and a determination to more vigorously pursue HIV/AIDS Awareness policies that you may have in place.

The Australian people, as well as all other nations, must look to you for this public declaration.....as will all of your own people.

Brian Haill,
President,
The Australian AIDS Fund Inc.,
Melbourne, Australia.