Rajesh Khullar, is becoming popular now a days due to his first book “Viral Match”, which demystifies the beliefs around HIV/AIDS.  The book, which is a story of a couple who may be inflicted with AIDS, was written after extensive research.

The book is an explanation on the fear and ignorance about a disease considered a social stigma even today. It also carries a subliminal message of safe sex and total commitment.

However, the book is not just about a disease and its history but also about the stress and strain that it brings in human relationship.

It is obvious that the primary motive of the author has been educating the youth about threat caused to society and human relationships by HIV/AIDS. This education begins with the pregnancy of Vandana and takes the reader to the experiences in Africa and the US, and finally to the lives of victims of stigma and risk in India.

The book is also peppered with interesting pieces of information like the one in which Radhika warns Vandana, “The less suspecting you are about your husband, more are the chances that he’s cheating on you” and the Karmic rule of timings, “If the act is creative, do it now; if it’s destructive, do it after 24 hrs.”

According to Khullar, writing fiction with the disease as the main theme itself was part of the drive to clear the smoke about HIV.

I have noticed that the information fails to reach the right segment— the youngsters. So I thought of a book as something a father can gift his son or daughter. I am sure my book will at least help the section of society that can read, Khullar added.

In latest Sample survey conducted by Pondicherry AIDS Control Society (PACS) has indicated 0.39 percent HIV positive cases in the general population in the Union territory of Pondhicherry.

The survey was carried out targeting 75,000 individuals to respond to voluntary testing within a time frame of two months.

Around 63,000 people including students responded to the survey that began on August 21 and concluded on Oct 21, 2007.

Dr. Gilbert Fernandez, Project Director, PACS said, “After screening all the samples, 243 people were found positive.”

At present, Pondhicherry is having 9200 cases of HIV positive persons and 480 AIDS patients.