Documentary name: Grassroots thinking on HIV/AIDS
This is the time to find out the way of “zero transmission” to stop geometrically spreading of HIV. As there is no clinical solution of HIV/AIDS epidemic, we have to find out the root case. UnnayanNews believe “majority people's participation and involvement” is the best way to ascertain effective solution for any social problems including AIDS pandemic. On the eve of ‘AIDS day 2005 'we have produced ‘Grassroots thinking', Bangladesh first web documentary on HIV/AIDS. The content of this documentary is uncensored opinions of the grassroots people. The duration of the documentary is 8.25 minutes. To represent the grassroots reality, we have focused on, “Muktagacha” and have recorded short interview of rickshaw puller, teacher, shopkeeper, artist, priest, student and youth group. Hope this small documentary will be useful to discover the present situation and trend of majority grassroots people knowledge, understanding and views about HIV/AIDS. ============== Transcript “My name is Raitullah Foraji, house Muktagacha, Paratongi. I drive rickshaw and also make ‘beri' (cigarette). I know very little about the disease. Nobody say us about this. But know, everybody die if this disease have” - One rickshaw puller “AIDS is a dangerous disease! About this disease rural people don't have concept and in textbook also not mentioned about this! If it is included in the textbook the rural people will be able to know “what is AIDS” and become conscious from the beginning. By practicing the religious norms we can protect ourselves as it generally happen by the illicit sex. City dwellers know very well about this but rural people don't know. If is mentioned in the textbook, the children will be about to know from the childhood.” - One Teacher “AIDS is a life threatened disease. To protect from HIV/AIDS, we must have to avoid another person used syringes from. If there is no way, we must have to use after boil in water; or have to use news syringe. Please test blood before taking from another person. ” - One Shopkeeper “…There is a possibility ( of AIDS ) if one person uses another person's syringe. To protect the AIDS, both city and village dwellers have to be conscious. Otherwise never possible to be safe from AIDS. ” - One Fine Artist “AIDS is a dangerous disease! We watch in television. This is first time in Muktagacha I am hearing; nobody say me about this before. We heard, if this disease have people die surely. What is this disease? We want to know in detail.” - One Worker "I am Sanaullah, lives in Muktagacha, Modahisha.My profession is business. AIDS is a dangerous disease. To protect from this need to stop illegal sexual relation. Because of illicit relationship day by day this disease is increasing. In order to safe from this disease (sexual temptation), it is very essential to take women in Hajab ( religious control). Moreover, both rural and city people have to be aware about this; and government should make law as men-women can not do illegal relationship. By this way we can make a “AIDS” free world. - One Businessman and Priest “I am Dr. Morjina MLAF, working in Muktagacha Thana as health worker. You may know AIDS is sexual transmission disease. HIV virus is the cause of this disease. I want, everybody should have to be conscious about this disease and protect themselves. This sexual transmitted disease generally transmitted by the illicit and polygamy sexual interactions. So it should limit the interaction (sex) within the husband and wife only” - One Woman “AIDS is a life threatens disease. It is speeded whole world. But in our county about this not yet discuss so much, even people also are not aware as well. As it is very dangerous disease, it is need to make mass awareness. AIDS transmits many ways, particularly by sexual interaction. So we should follow religious norms and practices regarding this. However we have to use condom, and have to be aware and safe consciousness that anyhow we will practice ourselves. Nowadays government is trying to do many thing, but in rural area and grassroots level not buildup minimum awareness. As in our county education percentage is low, people will not be able to know clearly about this, it is general. Along with government if we particularly NGOs, volunteer organizations take initiatives, go to marketplace as well as in people gathering for people awareness building would be very effective. Regarding this if someone ask my help or if I can involve such kind movement, I will be very glad.” - One student “We who are young, if we disseminate the information to others on AIDS which we know would be very effective. If government take some initiative particularly by media and in school, college would be very useful. We hope, if government can not manage, can involve non governmental initiative and organizations. Educational project on HIV would be very effective. What is your opinion, Shourob? ….Yes, along with this if we personally practice religious values on sex, would be very safety for all…..I agree with Shourob.” - A group of youth