Dear Forum,

Jahnabi Goswami, the star campaigner for the cause of people living with
HIV/AIDS in North East, is beckoned to shoulder political responsibilities in
Assam.

Ever since Oscar Fernandez suggested her candidature for the ensuing Assam
legislative assembly elections from the prestigious Barhampur constituency
against Shri Prafulla Kumar Mahanta (Ex. C.M. of Assam)at the North East
Parliamentary Forum meeting held on 19th October, opinion has been building up
in congress and the media favoring her candidature.

News papers in Assam, Khabar, Aji, Janasadharn and Sadhin have projected her as
the most suitable candidate for the Barhampur constituency.

The present Congress Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, State Home Minister Rakibul
Hussain and Finance and Planning Minister Himanta Diswa sarma in a late night
meeting on 2nd March informed Jahnabi about their decision to suggest her
candidature to the Congress High ommand.

Jahnabi hails from the illustrious Goswami family of Pasonijhar, Kampur in the
district Nagaon of Assam who took active participation in the freedom struggle
of India. Her great Grandfather late Golok chandra Goswami, her grandfather late
Krishna Chandra Goswami and his three brothers were freedom fighters. Among them
late Lakhi Prasad Goswami served as a cabinet minister of Assam. Jahnabi's
father late Hiranya Kumar Goswami was a social worker loved by all. And her
uncle late Nipen Goswami was a Member of Parliament and also served as APCC
Spokes man and General Secretary.

Inherited from her family, the fighting spirit helped her when she faced stigma
and discrimination. The news media stood with her when she decided to go public
about her being turned away from availing dental treatment. She was turned away
by the dentists, just because she responsibly informed the doctors about her HIV
status for her to make sure that nobody gets HIV from her.

Jahnabi's preference to go public about her HIV status, her active involvement
in fighting stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS and
efforts to protect and promote human rights has won her a seat in the hearts of
people in North East.

Now it is time to see whether the Congress High Command provides her a ticket to
win the Barhampur constituency seat in the forthcoming Assam assembly elections.

Jahnabi Goswami is the current president of the Assam network of People Living
with HIV/AIDS (ANP+) and the Vice President of Indian Network for People Living
with HIV/AIDS (INP+)

If given a chance for Jahnabi to contest, Congress will be creating a
history by being a model, ensuring Greater Involvement of People Living with
HIV/AIDS.

Jacob John
E-mail: <awaazdho@...>