By Indian Express
27 July 2010

‘LIVE positive and love positive’ is the motto of Wake Up Pune, a matchmaking event for. HIV positive persons to be held’ on August 1 here.

Addressing mediapersons, orgnisers of Wake Up Pune said. the day–long event will be held in the city and will be open to people from the states of Maharashtra, Goa and Gujarat.

Travel expenses for female candidates will be reimbursed by positivesaathi.com, the organisers said.

Ryan Beck Thurmer, coordinator of the Wake Up Pune campaign along with Dwijen Smart.of aarogya.com said the event aims at creating a platform,for people living with HIV to meet prospective parts for marriage.

With the increase in access to treatment and healthcare, people with HIV have the opportunity to live long and healthy lives. There are, however, few opportunities created for them to meet and build relationships with other HIV positive peo ple,they said.

Every man and woman, HIV positive or not, has the right to find happiness in a loving and secure relationship. Match ing events help tackle HIV related stigma and discrimina tion by supporting the equal right of all to marriage and happiness.

The matrimonial event will give an opportunity to those living HIV to meet people they can relate to and build lasting relationships built on mutual care and support. This Will! help them in getting back to the mainstream of society and start thinking about starting a family.

Launched in 2006, Wake Up Pune is a coalition of NGOs and representatives from civil society working to spread awareness about HIV and Aids in Pune through a variety activities and events.

, These include awareness sessions, capacity building and training, rallies, marches, con certs, street theatre, peer edu cation, and variety of creative expressions pressions, said a press note.