The inspirational journeys of people who are long-term survivors of HIV
Hari
Hari
Mumbai, India
Hari, a long-term #HIV survivor from Mumbai, was diagnosed in 1994. By rediscovering his childhood love of wrestling, Hari reconnected with his community, which had alienated him after learning of his positive status. Photographs and story by Hari.
When I was very young, my father signed me up to a wrestling gym. It was through wrestling that my willpower and confidence increased, until I realized I could be stronger than the average man. In this photo, I am putting mud over me because it represents HIV or, rather, blood with HIV. I am pouring this over myself. I am bathing in it.
I am healthy. When I fly, I wear my “HIV-positive” t-shirt to tell hundreds of people on the plane and in the airport that I am HIV-positive.
I want to reduce the stigma and discrimination that comes with HIV and spread awareness that being HIV-positive doesn’t mean death. Many people, myself included, are still affected by inequities in employment, education and medical care, all of which drive the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
In order to combat these inequalities, more jobs need to be created and supported, positive speakers need to be supported in the workplace, a total health curriculum needs to be incorporated into the school systems, and Hollywood and Bollywood need to showcase more positive stories.
Here I am today, 27 years after my original diagnosis. I, in no way, feel like my energy levels have lowered or my body wasted.
My grandson was born last year, in 2020, and I have been able to see him. I survived and defeated the coronavirus after 2nd line ART, diabetes treatment and heart treatment. I am spending time with my family, taking care of my wife and two daughters.
Now, I work as a United Nations Development Programme-trained counsellor for the Delhi Network of Positive People, to advocate for and support fellow Indians living with HIV.
I was recently selected as the media organizer at the HIV AIDS Control Employees Welfare Association Delhi. Last year, I was chosen as an international representative of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights in India. This is what a long-term survivor looks like.
T a k e a c t i o n
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