On the eve of Children’s day yesterday, kids were busy with their own agendas. They have to wear a colorful dress, celebrate their festival; have their set of participation in the events held at school and also in the apartments that we live, come first in whatever competition they participated and what not. Adding to this, a week long International film festival has begun yesterday, and kids get to watch n number of children films each day. Even I was living in a same impression about Children and their specific days of celebration till yesterday. My thought process would not have changed if I would not have met, ‘BALASAHYOGA’s team.

Yesterday, roundabout at evening 6.30 pm, there was a walk from Necklace road people’s plaza to the Railway Station. Close to 1,000 kids have participated in this walk, holding candles and some banners. I was on my way home, seeing all this I got attracted and was enthusiastic to know why this ‘walk’ and all. With one of the Organizer of ‘BALASAHYOGA’ that organized this walk as well, I have come to know all these kids are affected with HIV/AIDS and are making their protest against the same through the walk. I was shocked.

It is not that I am not aware how much of population of our country is affected with HIV and how this gets transplanted from parents to kids, if proper vaccination is not given to the baby, right when in Mother’s womb. It is that, for the first time, I have actually experienced the emotions of these Children. Trust me, I have spoken many of these kids and everybody is aware of their problem. Just like any other matured human, these kids have accepted the same, and tuned up their mind to live with it. they were bold enough to come forward and let the World know their pain and to inculcate the awareness on HIV/AIDS. Watching these kids carrying the banners about the event that refers to ‘Kerinthalu’ – MaaAAshalu, Maahakkulu, MaaJeevitham (our wishes, rights and our life), made me feel as if they are demanding their life from us and all those elders who were affected by HIV/AIDS, just because the mistake of unprotected Sex, made by them. They, being kids are doing their bit to protest against HIV. Hats off to them and also to ‘BALASAHYOGA’ Organization supported this walk by the name ‘Kerinthalu’, supported by fhi, CLINTON FOUNDATION, care, THE CHILDREN’S INVESTMENT FUND FOUNDATION, Elton John AIDS Foundation and A.P. State AIDS Control Society Hyderabad.

This makes me ask the Society, ‘why we are thinking and living more or less like Animals, being Human beings? Why our desires are dominating and ruining our lives and our kids lives as well, who are not at all responsible for our deeds and neither asked us to give them birth? Why are we looking to get into a physical relationship with one or more partner? Are we so desperate, without using a safety, we end up having a physical relationship with more than one and get affected by HIV/AIDS? Irrespective of the social status, education and life style, our Country is second largest in terms of the population affected by HIV/AIDS. We otherwise, abuse all those who can’t think and act as wise as us, tagging them as ‘illiterates’. Then what is our set of so called ‘literates’ doing? Why are we going where ever our thought takes us?Enough now! Just stop and let’s think. With one mistake made by us, our entire life will get ruined up and also our kids life, who suffer with HIV/AIDS. Let’s fulfill the basic responsibility of being Human beings, the major difference between Animals and us that we can think. So, think/ think proper. Think about what is right and what not, what to do and what not, how to control all those baseless desires, and how to lead a healthy and peaceful life, transform our kids as a good human beings as well.

Fight against HIV/AIDS and talk more about it and the reasons behind being affected by it. Only then, we realizehow to save our and our kids’ lives from it as well!SunayanaVinay Kumar