Minphong Konyak
Dimapur | December 18
Mon was brought to a gloomy standstill when its first HIV/AIDS declared patient passed away in the early hours this morning. Though many patients have died of HIV/AIDS they were not tested and declared positive as Late Ponwang Konyak was. Mon is still halfway on the road to AIDS awareness and Konyak’s death brought a mixed reaction of curiosity, fear and compassion to those who thronged the residence of the deceased.
After prolonged illness, Ponwang Konyak passed away around 2:30 am on December 18. He was born in 1975 to an influential family and was brought up with utmost love and care. He was tested positive in the year 1993 in Shillong during his higher studies. He got infected from drug-use. After living with HIV for all these years, he finally returned home. But it was unfortunate for Shansham Organization, a society that had tried to help him.
The organization said that besides other inevitable problems, Konyak’s illness was already in the advanced stage. The organization said that his condition was already in such a deteriorated condition that it was impossible for him to be moved out of Mon calculating the risks involved in transporting him through bumpy roads. Besides, essential treatment facilities like ART, CD4 count machine and OI machines are not available. There is no hospice or care center for positive people in Mon.
However, in his short encounter with the organization, Ponwang expressed his regrets as well as his wishes. Ponwang regretted his getting into drugs for his fascination that the drug-world is “glittering”. He realized his grave folly too late and prayed that the younger generation do not follow his steps to misery.
Ponwang also regretted that there is not much help in Mon but expressed hope that other positive people would be cared for. He also expressed desire that the foundation of NNP+ at Mon be initiated soon. (Shansham Organization says that this would materialize soon to bring out hidden cases of HIV positive people, who are living under the grip of stigma and isolation. Ponwang left this message to the HIV positive people: ‘live positive even if you are positive. HIV is all about living positive life’.
The talks and shows abut HIV were brought to others but it has finally knocked at its door and many will follow as researches and surveys show if proper precautions and remedial steps are taken. The general emotion is that along with spreading awareness, a network like NNP+ must be started as soon as possible at Mon to prolong more lives, indicating that Ponwang could have lived longer.
Ponwang Konyak’s funeral was attended by thousands from all walks of life and was finally laid to rest in his own backyard. Shansham Organization conveys condolence to the bereaved family and relatives on this irreparable loss.
