LONGTERM PROJECTS

Age of Kali - Aid for Aids in India
While western media are still writing about the African AIDS tragedy, an new and more powerful crisis is on the rise in India. As Indian governments for a much too long time rejected the existence of HIV in the subcontinent and projected the illness to the demoralised western societies, the virus already holds the Indian
nation in a tight grip. From big cities to small villages in the country side. And even more, the expectation are, that India will be hit much harder by AIDS in the next few years, than most of the African countries.
2003 had seen 520,000 new infections in India, the Health Ministry said there were just 28,000 in 2004. According to the official count, India has 5.13 million
HIV/AIDS sufferers, while the U.N.’s estimate is up to 8.5 million. AIDS in India is spread mainly by truck-drivers, who get infected on the road-side by prostitutes and other sexual relations, then give on the virus to their families. The sex-traffic of girls across the borders to the big brothels in Mumbai, Delhi or Kolkata, supports the spread of HIV.
AIDS experts regard India’s social constraints as a key reason the country hasn’t yet seen infections reach the rates witnessed in Africa. But prudishness is also a liability. Two years ago, for example, India’s former Health Minister pulled condom
ads from state TV for indecency. While AIDS campaigners receive public money (albeit tiny sums), they have also been attacked by mobs and arrested by police. Half of India’s parents marry off their daughters before they are 18, but almost none will tell them the facts of life.
The Age of Kali or the age of destruction for the Hindu is the natural ending of the world in the fourth age (the present age). It is said that Vishnu will appear again, as Kalki ‚the avenger‘, riding a white horse, destined to destroy the present world (the corrupt age of the goddess Kali) and to take humanity to a different, higher plane (the golden age of Krita).
The two Photographers Dirk Gebhardt and David Klammer travelled widely through India, trying to capture the situation of courageous AIDS campaigners, underprivileged Indians and HIV-infected persons.There are 57 images in this gallery
Last updated: Thu, 07/09/2009 - 11:27

Rio Santos 9 Places
A snapshot of the brazilian society.
There are 67 images in this gallery
Last updated: Mon, 07/06/2009 - 20:28