Live life in full: A positive dream

While there are thousands of websites that help people of various races, colour, class or religion discover their dream match, positivesaathi.com is perhaps the only website in India dedicated to helping those with HIV/Aids find a suitable life partner.

"This is the first matrimony portal for people with HIV/Aids in India and perhaps the first in the world," said Anil S. Valiv, founder of positivesaathi.com.

The motivating spirit

This is the first matrimony portal for people with HIV/Aids in India and perhaps the first in the world. Anil S. Valiv, founder of positivesaathi.com

The inspiration behind the website, Valiv said, was his HIV+ friend. "My close friend, who was infected with HIV 17 years ago, died last year. I saw him struggle for companionship all those years since he contracted the virus. He kept looking for an HIV+ girl for marriage, but due to the stigma attached to the virus, people were never forthcoming. He died without being able to fulfil his desire," he said.

According to Valiv, an HIV+ person never tells anybody that he or she is infected. "The search for a HIV+ life partner ends before it even starts, because of this very reason."

However, a website like this provides enough privacy to encourage HIV+ people to make a start.

The response to the website, launched a year ago, has been encouraging, said Valiv.

As of now around 61 women and 406 men have registered, including applicants from other countries as well.

"My service is global. We have a businessman from the UAE who has registered with us, as well as people from the US, Canada, UK and Singapore. In the next phase, I plan to develop a network of contacts for each city, state and nation," said Valiv.

There are some success stories too. "As per our knowledge, more than 10 people have found their match and at least three to four of them must have got married." Four more couples are all set to tie the knot in the coming weeks, said Valiv.

Wealth of knowledge

The portal also hosts a wealth of information on HIV/Aids, including initiatives taken by NGOs and the government.

According to Valiv, such a venture can help prevent the spread of the dreaded disease.

"Often parents in India give in to social pressure and knowingly marry off their HIV+ sons/daughters to healthy people who in turn get infected.

"Exclusive marriage portals for HIV+ people will give them the freedom to choose their own life partners and save many innocent lives," he said.

More info

Website: positivesaathi.com

e-mail: positivesaathi@yahoo.com