Positively yours

Thursday, February 02, 2006
Positively Yours

Positively Yours



Preetu Nair (the article appeared in Gomantak Times, Panjim dated

31/01/2006)



VASCO, Goa:



This is not an ordinary tale of a Hindu boy meets a Muslim girl, falls

in love with her and marries her! This is an extraordinary tale of

unconditional love and trust. When Raju and Shabnam met, they shared a

similar problem. They were both HIV positive but had the eternal urge to

live happily.



Finally, Sunday marked an unusual moment in the young couple's life.

They became, perhaps, the first HIV couple in Goa to tie the knot. The

21-year-old a painter by profession converted to Islam and changed his

name to Niyaz to marry the woman of his dreams at Zindagi office, amidst

applause and blessings from relatives and friends.



The couple is confident that their love will guide them till life's

candles flutter and burn low. "I wed her forever, not for the brief years

on earth. I wed her for the life beyond the tears, beyond the pain and

the clouded brow," said Niyaz.



When he was detected HIV positive, he was shocked and scared. He used

to regularly visit Zindagi, a support group for people living with

HIV/AIDS for advice and help. During one of his visits, he met Shabnam, who

was working at Zindagi. Cupid struck and soon they decided to get

married. "I was alone and scared. I am happy to find a partner who is HIV

positive like me. For us, marriage is about accepting the truth and

living well, even with a killer disease," Niyaz.



For Shabnam, a widow, marriage to Niyaz is the beginning of a new

chapter in her life. Two years back, her world crumbled around her when her

husband died of AIDS soon after the marriage. She, too, was detected

HIV positive and her in-laws blamed her for their son's death. "I have

cried a lot and cursed myself for the misfortunes. But now I have a

reason to live and laugh," says Shabnam.



"Together with the gift of trust and love we will create our own home,"

adds Niyaz.



There love is ought to inspire many who shy away from accepting their

HIV positive status due to fear of stigma and live a life of fear and

oblivion!

posted by Preetu Nair at 12:45 AM