By Syed Zarir Hussain, IANS
Imphal : Khundrakpam Pradipkumar from the northeastern state of Manipur is no ordinary bodybuilder. A person who gave up hope of surviving after he was declared HIV-positive in 2000, 37-year-old Pradipkumar took to bodybuilding as a passion a year after contracting the virus that causes AIDS.
Last month, Pradipkumar became a household name in the northeast by winning the coveted title of Mr Manipur in the 60 kg category.
“A person living with HIV is no different from those who are not positive. I want people living with HIV to think positive and come out and do things like any other person,” Pradipkumar told IANS.
Today this genial body builder is all set to compete for the prestigious Mr India title scheduled for March 20 at Meerut in Uttar Pradesh.
“I know I have a long way to go, but the support shown by the people of Manipur has led me to believe that I have the determination to achieve my goal,” Pradipkumar said as he prepared to undergo a rigorous round of training at a local gym.
“As of now I practise for about six hours daily, but I shall have to increase my exercise schedule as the competition draws nearer,” he said.
In 2006, Pradipkumar was the runner-up in the Mr Manipur contest. But his zeal to make it big despite being HIV-positive helped him win the title last year. Several social organisations and groups working to provide care and support to people living with HIV/AIDS in Manipur felicitated him after he was crowned Mr Manipur.
“Pradipkumar is turning to be a role model for hundreds of people living with HIV/AIDS. His courage, determination and strong will power to achieve something in life should be emulated by all,” said a member of the Manipur Network of Positive People.
To maintain his physique, Pradipkumar consumes 20 eggs and 10 litres of milk daily. But financial constraints have forced him to cut down on the diet that he requires.
“Some groups are now coming forward to help me and I am grateful for their support and love,” Pradipkumar said.
India is home to 2.5 million AIDS patients, including 80,000 children below 14 years. The northeastern region, home to about 40 million people, is considered one of the country’s high-risk zones with close to 40,000 people infected with HIV.
Authorities in the northeast fear the disease may further spread because of the region’s acute drug problem.
India’s northeast lies on the edge of the heroin-producing ‘Golden Triangle’ of Laos, Myanmar and Thailand and independent estimates have put the number of regular intravenous drug users in the region at up to 300,000 – a key cause of HIV infection here. Manipur is the worst hit by HIV/AIDS with nearly 28,000 living with the virus.
A large number of people living with HIV in the northeast are struggling for survival with hundreds dying for want of treatment.