World AIDS Day 2024: taking the “rights” path in Pune
Medical Mission Sister, Jayshree Macwan, sent the following description of a joyful celebration that marked World AIDS Day on 1st December 2024 at MMS’ Holistic Health Centre in Pune in the Sandipani grounds.
This annual gathering offered a timely awareness programme for clients living with HIV. The chief guest for the day was Dr Suhas Bulbule, who is a great friend of MMS, with other guests of honour including Medical Mission Sisters, Irene Fernandez and Josephine Veliparampil. All of the sisters from the four houses on the campus, our aspiring candidates, co-workers and four Jesuit scholars from De Nobili College, Pune, were invited to join our clients who, in turn, brought their children and other family members along to the special occasion - making it a large gathering of around 150 people.
The celebratory programme began at 12 noon when guests were welcomed with a bouquet of flowers. In Indian culture, at the start of any official programme, we remember the symbol of light which is also a symbol of God - and in this way, we began by invoking the name of God, when two clients and one of their daughters lit the lamp. The light assures and reminds everyone to be hopeful in darker moments of their lives and to be a little light in oneself and in the lives of other people. A short cultural programme started with a beautiful welcome prayer dance by fifteen MMS candidates. It was indeed a sacred moment for all, creating a real spirit of welcome and inclusion.
After this, three of our clients shared their stories, witnessing their battles in daily life. It took courage to share such difficult moments in public, but they rose, with daring, to the challenge. This, in turn, encouraged and inspired others who heard them.
Our clients, Sister Jayshree tells us, went on to present a small skit on the need to have a positive outlook to life despite the unacceptable levels of discrimination that they currently experience in their own extended families and neighbourhood daily. This was a heart-touching performance. Their children also performed dances, which captured everyone’s attention, before our clients themselves joyfully performed a Dandiya dance, which is the traditional dance of the Maharashtra State.
Dr Suhas, our chief guest of the day, whose professional background is in treating people living with HIV/AIDS spoke to them in their local language, that is to say, Marathi, explaining how to strengthen the immune system and prevent spread of the disease. He also drew attention to the rights of every person to access the healthcare services they need and to be able to view life positively. He emphasised the theme that WHO had set for World AIDS Day 2024, namely: “Take the right path: My health, my right!” This was a very informative session, which inspired everyone present as, together, we journey along the “rights” path in Pune - never stopping until everyone’s rights are protected.
After this talk was over, games were organised by the Jesuit scholars, which involved women, men, girls and boys. Everyone participated with joy and had immense fun together. To encourage and affirm their participation, the winners of games were given prizes. As a token of love and appreciation, all of those who are living with HIV were also given a bedsheet each and a packet of dates, thanks to the generous funds received from MMS’ benefactors and the local grocery shopkeeper, Balaji.
Our delicious celebratory lunch was sponsored by Sister Usha Gaikwad's niece, Sophia, and her husband. Everyone enjoyed it enormously. In the evening, Mr Ramesh, owner of the nearby branch of Kalyan Bhel, who is a friend of Medical Mission Sisters, sponsored ‘bhel’ for everyone. This is a wholesome Indian snack and to taste it every year has become a tradition which is eagerly anticipated by all of us.
The programme concluded by giving much gratitude to God for the blessings of World AIDS Day 2024. We remembered, with thanksgiving, all those benefactors and Medical Mission Sisters, who had helped to make the celebration in Pune such a happy, radiant and memorable occasion for those living with HIV and their families. They were truly touched by our activities and went home feeling they had been welcomed, loved, supported, included and respected with a deep sense of dignity and, very importantly, that they are cared for by all.
Sr. Jayshree Macwan MMS