What is the summary of Stigma Shame and Silence by Kalpana Jain?

Answer 1

The Story revolves around the Social Stigma associated with HIV and AIDS.

People still associate HIV immoral lifestyle though the reasons may be numerous. This causes a person suffering from HIV to be subjected to a lot of shame and consequently forces them to hide their problems and deal with them quietly, when actually they need all the help they can get.

The writer uses the example of Ashok who recently discovers from the Doctors at Command Hospital Pune that he is suffering from HIV.

The doctor shows innate contempt for Ashok which causes him to feel ashamed. Furthermore, he is subjected to discriminatory treatment from the hospital staff.

This is the essence of the story: The Social Stigma and pain that patients have to go through.

What needs to be done though is to help these patients understand that life does not end with the contraction of HIV, and with treatment and proper counseling they can lead a normal life too

Answer 2

No