Ladies in red...

I was kindly asked to go along with the DISHA team to a Truckers event today where their aim is to spread awareness about HIV/AIDS within the trucker community. When we reached the destination, I was quite apprehensive about getting out of the van, particularly as it was quite a male dominated environment. However my fears quickly disappeared when the DISHA team keenly jumped out and started setting up the sound system and getting their leaflets together. Within minutes the team were surrounding by a small group of men who were intrigued by the ladies in red. Then they started. They got into a circle and starting singing passionately about HIV/AIDS and the importance of wearing a condom. More and more men were interested in what was happening and going on. The ladies then went onto performing their street play.

The audience listened intensely to the team. Once the performance was over, Santosh, a member of the DISHA team gave a speech about the importance of being safe followed by a condom demonstration. I was amazed to see men listening so carefully to what he was saying. They even went as far as to hold condoms and participate. Santosh’s great manner and public speaking skills really shone as men began to ask questions about HIV and wanted to learn more. Sahara, another NGO, were providing further information about HIV and had organised testing which received a very positive response.

Taking the time to talk to some of the staff from Sahara and DISHA after the event was insightful and getting their perspective on HIV/AIDS was eye opening. The work that they do is selfless and stimulating. The audience which they perform to are fascinated and inquisitive. No wonder the testing result have gone up since DISHA started. Its hard not to feel moved by their work and brevity.

- Roshni Mehta, volunteer, Deep Griha Society