Just-a-Pause: Is Mumbai HIV-Positive?

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It was World AIDS Day on 1st December and I couldn't help but make the comparison to the very recent attacks that Mumbai has been subjected to.

It is an undisputable fact that Mumbai is one of the sexiest cities, but that does not mean one can just screw around with it.

The deadliest disease yet, AIDS, is caused by a virus called HIV, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. If and when infected by this virus, the body will try to fight the infection by producing "antibodies", special molecules to fight it, which when found in the blood during a blood test, goes to prove that the person is HIV Positive.

Now, isn't it apparent that Mumbai is infected with this Human Immunodeficiency Virus? It is being manifested through antibodies such as in-fighting, panic, blame-game, anger, mud-slinging, etc.

As the HIV disease continues, it slowly wears down the immune system. Viruses, parasites, fungi and bacteria that usually don't cause any problems can make a person sick if the immune system is damaged. They are rightly called "opportunistic infections".

This is much like the only-for-selfish-gains politicians, terrorists corrupt officials and news channels vying for top ratings through maximum coverage. Unfortunately, all of these are immune to humans and human feelings. We Mumbaikars have to put up with this on a regular basis and that wears us down.

The HIV virus mostly spreads through physical intimacy, or sharing a needle with an infected person, or being born when the mother is infected, or through transfusion of infected blood.

HIV disease becomes AIDS when your immune system is seriously damaged.

What does AIDS mean - Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome? It means that anyone can get infected with this virus through a weakness in the body's system that makes it unable to fight a series of health problems. This makes it a very lethal disease.

Now, this is easily replicated in our Mumbai DNA where the virus could have spread by being in close contact with those already corrupt, or sharing the same fraudulent ideas, or having shady superiors, or having crooked peers – all facets of damage done.

And in this scenario there is always a possibility of developing AIDS - the terror attacks, the flash floods, inter-religion / inter-state clashes, general unrest, disgruntled Mumbaikars, to name a few that has left Mumbai vulnerable and exposed! If not treated in time, it could turn out to be fatal.

For HIV and AIDS, we have specialized doctors who are constantly researching medication for better treatment to curb this disease. Unfortunately, medication does not work sometimes and one just succumbs to it.

In the same way, we have the Government and its ministers to handle the state of affairs and bring in timely corrective alterations in governance to check the spread of the deadly virus of discontentment towards their lapses and loopholes.

HIV-AIDS is a life threatening disease and those suffering from it have to face the stigma and discrimination. This results in loss of dignity and livelihood.

Likewise, if Mumbai develops AIDS, just imagine the loss of face for this cosmopolitan city.

The battle cry de jour of Citizens for Change is a change for the better. And like all things positive, once a thing gone wrong is admitted, that is the first step towards setting it right.

There are thinkers, talkers, writers and doers. If all work in tandem, we can certainly dovetail Mumbai out of this AIDS threat.

Let us borrow the slogan from World AIDS Day 2008 –
"Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise". Lead >> Empower >> Deliver.