After 'Iron Lady', Manipur Produces a 'Mr India'

Panaji, Nov 24 : If Irom Sharmila, who is on a fast for the past 10 years to protest human rights violations by security forces in Manipur, is the state's 'Iron Lady', then Khundrakpam Pradip Kumar Singh is its 'Mr India'.

Pradip was infected by the deadly HIV/AIDS virus in 2000, when he injected himself with an infected syringe in a drug-induced stupor. But instead of collapsing in defeat and despair, he chose to take hold of his fate. He trained for years and became a bodybuilding champion, not only winning the 'Mr. Manipur' title in 2007, but also the runners-up trophy in a national bodybuilding championship the following year.

And now, a film on his life - titled "Mr India" - is being screened at the 41st International Film festival of India (IFFI) here.

For Pradip, the film is a message of hope.

"A person with HIV/AIDS can do anything. Anything at all. All we need is moral support," Pradip told reporters at a press conference here.

"I am here on behalf of all those who are suffering from HIV. In fact, it is not AIDS which kills you, but the response of the society that does you in," he added.

Pradip has already been the subject of five films in Manipur.

According to the film's director Haobam Paban Kumar, the 47-minute film has also won a national award.

Part of the proceeds from the film, for which Paban's friends provided technical assistance free of cost, would go towards sponsoring Pradip.

"Pradip needs Rs.40,000 a month for his nutritional supplements. We are getting a good response from distributors," Kumar said, adding that while commercial release of such a film was tough, screening it in some Manipur theatres was an option.

Pradip, meanwhile, vividly remembers his struggle.

"I was lying in bed, and that time everyone, barring my family, deserted me. My best friend also turned away. That was the time I decided that I was going to show to the world that this was not the end of me. I was going to rise up from my bed and do it alone. Then I joined a gym," he said.

He defied doctors, who advised him against heavy weights training, and worked steadily towards his goal.

"I am standing in front of you. If I can do what I did, despite of HIV/AIDS, I am sure anyone else can," Pradip said.