Morung Express News
Kohima | April 9
‘Living Reality- Stories of hope and courage’, a documentary on HIV positive people, which was released Saturday night at a simple function at Hotel Japfu by Dr Tukogha, Physician and Researcher, YRG CARE, not only attempted to voice the voiceless, but also succeeded in bringing the face out of the faceless HIV positive persons.
The documentary was sponsored by Nagaland State Aids Control Society and produced by Morung Foundation for Indigenous Affairs and JustPeace. Though brief and involving limited people, the documentary conveyed the many unspoken truths of people living with HIV positive status.
Unlike any other night, last evening though, the dining hall of Hotel Japfu played host to small and selected audiences. As it turned into darkness and the screen blinked, the eagerly curious gathering witnessed the documentation with rapt silence. One by one, HIV positive patients unraveled the woes, despairs and hopes that have added to the complexity of their lives by this illusive virus.
The short documentary not only attempted to be the voice of the voiceless, but succeeded in bringing out the ‘face of the faceless’. Of all the messages that the documentary attempts to convey, the most important is that this mysterious virus steals the human life stealthily.
As an HIV positive person himself confessed that HIV cannot be hidden anymore. “Where there is secrecy and lack of openness, rate of infection is high. Where there is openness infection is less”, said one of the victims.
Aching, a young mother of two children, recalled her initial shock reactions to the disease and the despair, social stigmas and struggle for life that follows. And how she mustered courage to cope with life, and regain the spirit of a normal human being despite the inner tumults.
She also said that maintaining strict secrecy by HIV positives could add more woes and despair, and urged others to be more open. This, she said, helps people to know more about them and attracts respect and honour.
The saddest scene in the documentary that broke most of the hearts was the tiny tots laughing and frolicking away innocently, not knowing that their lives hang in uncertainty even at their tender ages.
The candle lighting, led by Maonungsang with a song “you will be my Child Forever’, in honour of the HIV victims added emotional effects to the ceremony. Though most of the emotionally charged crowd struggled to suppress their lachrymose feelings, some just showed it.
“I could have lighted for many people, because I know many people who died due to HIV. But I could not, because I was emotionally touched”, Anand Grover, a renowned lawyer who is fighting for the cause of HIV victims and resource person for the two-day workshop said after the function.
Earlier, Dr. Kumoni, Project Director, NSACS, expounded on how the initiatives for documentation of ‘Living Reality’ was evolved, while Akum Longchari, Managing Director of The Morung Express daily said the welcome address on behalf of the Morung Foundation. Pastor of the Khiumiungan Baptist Church, Kohima pronounced the invocation prayer; Chakhesang Baptist Youth presented the folks songs, while Tali and little Senti entertained the gathering with a special number.
State Health and Family Welfare Commissioner and Secretary Temjen Toy, Anand Grover and Indira Jai Singh, prominent international lawyers of Lawyer’s Collective were present during the function besides the other invitees and representative from various NGOs.
