Right to Health, HIV and Dhankut of District Bahraich, U.P.

Right to Health, HIV and Dhankut of District Bahraich, U.P.
Dr. Alok Chantia, Lecturer, Dept. of Anthropology, Sri JNPG College, Lucknow, E-Mail:
alokchantia@rediffmail.com
Dr.Preeti Misra, Sr. Lecturer, Dept. of Human Rights, School For Legal Studies, Babasaheb Bhimrao
Ambedkar University, Lucknow,226025, E-Mail : misra9_us@yahoo.com
Dr. Rohit Misra,Lecturer,Dept. of Social Work, Lucknow University,E mail:rohitmisra@rediffmail.com
Keywords: Human Right, Health, Culture, HIV, Dhankut
Abstract: Culture provides an alternative for survival to man. Culture has its own
carrying capacity and limits. It cannot provide for additional people and hence generates
the path of acculturation. Acculturation is nothing but intermingling of different people
with different origins.This intermingling of different culture creates environment for
globalization. Today globalization has given birth to a new concept of human rights.
Human Right is nothing but those inalienable rights with which a person is born with. But
in todays context it means dignified life which also includes right to health. This right to
health guaranteed by Indian Constitution is threatened by HIV/AIDS.
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HIV/AIDS is a global problem which is giving a threat to humanity. Everyone is afraid
about the result of HIV which will destroy the Homosapiens if we don’t take any step.
Though scores of medicines are available but none is effective. In this scenario only
available alternative is awareness about HIV/AIDS. This awareness is more required in
tribal areas where irregular sexual behaviour poses more threat to health It is necessary to
know the discoursement of menti fact about HIV/AIDS amongst tribals.
Dhankut is an endogamous group of district Bahraich with a population of 2687 only. It
is famous for its cross-cousin and parallel cousin marriages which is taboo in north India.
Dhankut is not listed as SC/ST/OBC and no literature is available about them anywhere.
Their living place is known as Dhankutty pura. Out of their living place they are not
found any where .so they create a pocket culture. Education is almost totally absent and
only three are in government jobs. It is a non-agriculturist group who is victim of
circumstances. Due to poverty they cannot afford medicines even though district hospital
is near to their place. They are suffering from albinism, skin diseases and impotency.
Irregular sexual activity amongst them creates the fear of HIV/AIDS too. In the present
paper an attempt has been made to observe the awareness about HIV/AIDS amongst
them.
Dhankut are very poor in their knowledge about HIV/AIDS even though they are living
in the middle of the city. 300 respondents, both male and female have been interviewed
under ethno methodological approach during May 2007 to June 2007 to inquire whether
they know about HIV/AIDS? What do they think about sex? Do they know the relation
between sex and HIV/AIDS? The study revealed that 80% are aware about HIV/AIDS.
87% think that it is a cultural problem rather than medical. 78% think that survival is
more important than anything else and sex provides an easy way to earn.92% said that
due to poverty they cannot afford proper medication.89% feel that only education and
awareness about HIV/AIDS can be an answer to this menace.
It can be concluded that Though Dhankut are aware about HIV/AIDS but due to poverty,
identity crisis and in a way to survive they overlook the menace of HIV/AIDS which
may prove a serious health hazard to them.
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