Portal Helps HIV+ Persons Find Love

Portal Helps HIV+ Persons Find Love

Pune: Positivesaathi.com that caters only to HIV affected persons looking for a suitable match, had arranged a meet for the HIV affected candidates on Saturday, where over 150 candidates got themselves registered. Mangesh and Manitosh Ghildiyal also turned up at a meet organised by the portal, with hopes of finding a life partner.

Mangesh is a divorcee from Pune, while Ghildiyal travelled all the way from Delhi.

The founder of Positivesaathi.com and Deputy Regional Transport officer Anil Valiv, who was busy overseeing the meet told Sakal Times that this portal, which began in 2005, has helped over 2,000 couples to find their life partners.

“Initially, people were reluctant to come forward. However, things have changed over the decade. The perception of HIV affected people about themselves has changed. They don’t believe in restrictions and reservations. Instead, they are coming out and helping others to get connected with the group which share stories and motivate them to live a healthy life freely,” said Valiv.

“In fact, a girl had come to get her father registered here,” added Valiv who got the idea to start such a website when he used to conduct HIV and road safety awareness drives for truck drivers. So far, he has organised hundreds of matrimony meets across the State.

Looking for a second chance, 39-year-old Mangesh was among the hundreds of candidates present at the registration meeting. “I was detected HIV positive in 2008 and got a divorced in 2012. It was our mutual decision. But I felt lonely since then. I wanted to get married again and I came across this portal,” he said.

“Here, I will get a match with the same health condition. So I believe it will help us both live positively and enable us to support each other for the rest of our life. I have been leading a normal life. I am a trekker and almost every weekend I go out to trek. Then why can’t I have a marriage?” said Mangesh.

Delhi-based Ghildiyal (30) who travelled to Pune to find a match said, “I was in my post-graduation when I was detected positive in 2013. Then, I was undergoing treatment for tuberculosis. I didn’t face a lot of discrimination from people around me. In fact, the doctor had counselled me and my family as well.,”

“I could not get married till date, although we had looked for a few prospects it did not work out for several reasons. Then I registered with this portal and have come to participate in this meet. I have found a match here and we have decided to pursue it. Let’s see how it goes,” said Ghildiyal.

Speaking about the taboos related to HIV, Ghildiyal said, “I have been leading a normal life. I handle several projects which include physical work and I do them all. Instead, I also help others in their projects. I just have to be cautious of not missing any medicine, regular check-ups etc. Otherwise, I am like any other person who might have some illness.” Registration at this website is free of cost, informed Valiv.

Enjoyed reading The Bridge Chronicle?
Your support motivates us to do better. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay updated with the latest stories.
You can also read on the go with our Android and iOS mobile app.

Related Stories

No stories found.
logo
The Bridge Chronicle
www.thebridgechronicle.com