Over 19 men reportedly test HIV positive after contact with same girl in Uttarakhand's Ramnagar
Nainital: In a disturbing incident, over 19 men in Uttarakhand’s Ramnagar, located in Nainital district, have reportedly contracted HIV/AIDS due to their physical involvement with a 17-year-old girl addicted to heroin.
According to a report by the New Indian Express on Wednesday, the girl engaged in physical relationships with the youths to fund her addiction. Dr Harish Chandra Pant, Nainital's Chief Medical Officer, expressed concern over a sudden spike in HIV cases in the region. "Typically, around 20 HIV positive cases are detected annually. However, within just five months this year, 19 new cases have been reported," he told the publication.
He emphasised that the authorities are taking this incident seriously and have initiated counselling services in various areas to address the issue. Additionally, he stated that the district health department is working to provide support and education to the affected communities.
"45 individuals in Ramnagar have tested HIV positive in the past 17 months which has sparked concern among health officials,” a senior health department source was quoted as saying by the news outlet.
"As youths began falling ill, hospital tests confirmed they were HIV positive. What is even more disturbing is that several of these individuals were married, and their spouses have also contracted the disease," the source added.
A counsellor explained that the young men were unaware they had been exposed to HIV through the same 17-year-old girl, the report added. During counselling sessions, it was revealed that they all had physical relationships with her, oblivious to her smack addiction.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
