HIV positive people continue to face social boycott and discrimination in many parts of the country. The ordeal of 49 HIV positive girls in Surat, one of Gujarat's most industrialised and prosperous cities, clearly underscores the prevalence of such discrimination and social rejection. Last year 49 such HIV positive girls had to go through the harrowing experience when the villagers protested against 29 of these girls being admitted to the government primary school. Despite this incident receiving media attention, things did not change for them at all. Even on Independence Day, these girls faced the similar ignominy.
The Independence Day celebration at the government primary school in Amboli village saw a total boycott by the villagers. Only a few teachers and volunteers were present on this solemn occasion. The residents chose to celebrate Independence Day in the village Panchayat office. Sadly, no one visits this school and they do not participate in any programme organised at the school.
Everything seems to have changed in this village after these girls were admitted to the village school. Flag-hoisting no longer takes place in the school. Though thanks to the initiative of Mahesh Sawani, a Surat-based industrialist, the girls occasionally laugh and try to be happy, they still carry the stigma of being HIV positive.
The villagers don't bother about the advice given by government officials that any contact with these girls does not infect others. However, they receive the support from the authorities and they are determined to be in the school.
These girls are too young to realise why they face such discrimination and social boycott; they simply want to realize their dreams. As Sunita, one of the girls, says how she wants to be a fashion designer. Others simply like to enjoy the freedom to play where they want and be accepted by the people as part of society.