The “Computers for all” Scheme would initially be launched in 150 villages of Punjab, he said, adding that unconditional access would be provided to outdoor computer (playground computer).

Each village would have specially-designed kiosks called “computer stations” that would be provided with two Pentium IV computers.

The children would be drawn to computer use without formal instructions or teaching. Multimedia, interactive CDs would be provided to them for better understanding of other subjects.

This would enable them to acquire skills needed for higher studies and gainful employment. Mr Johar said the project envisaged the ownership and participation of community. “Computer stations” would be constructed in village centres like Panchayat Ghar, gurdwara, community hall, or any other place having easy access, he added.

Jalandhar, August 18
An AIDS-afflicted youth from a rural background readily came forward in media glare today and talked about various social and health issues related to the disease. His objective was to bring about awareness among the masses.

A resident of Hajura village at Tanda in Hoshiarpur district, 28-year-old Baljinder Singh, showed exemplary courage and a remarkably positive attitude towards life as he addressed a press conference at the Press Club here today. He did not hide his face from the flashing cameras and willingly got himself clicked.

Seemingly quite fit, he said that he was not aware of the problem till January this year. “I had come from Spain in December last year. I had been working there in a farm land for the last five years. About a week after my sojourn in my village here, I fell ill. I had an acute congestion in the chest. I was admitted at the Dayanand Medical College and Hospital in Ludhiana for over a month during which I was diagnosed as an AIDS patient,” he said.

“Initially, it was a shock for me and my mother who had called me home for matrimony. She had been telling the doctors to go in for a quick treatment as she was looking for a suitable match for me. She wanted me to get married before going back, but fate had something else in store for me,” he said.

“I had contracted TB and become too frail, but I continued to take the treatment. I have now tested negative for the bacterial infection, though I am still taking medication against the retrovirus. I can feel that I am improving,” he added, with a smile on his face.

Brimming with optimism, he shared his future plans. He said he would continue with his job in Spain, where he would be back after a few months. He said his elder brother was also in Spain, while the younger one had migrated to Germany.

On being asked as to how he believed he had contracted the infection, he showed some signs of reluctance. He said he could not recall having been administered injections or undergoing blood transfusion. Dr Deepak Moti, chest physician of Gulab Devi Hospital, who too addressed the press conference, said his patient had confided in him that it was due to sexual contacts with women in Spain.

The doctor said he had come across scores of AIDS and HIV positive patients, all of whom were reluctant to discuss the problem, and had little hope. But, he said, Baljinder was an entirely different case as he had always felt free to discuss the problem and had hardly required any counselling to boost his morale. “Instead, he raised the hopes of other patients taking treatment. He also showed interest in coming before the media for the social cause, and for educating the people about the need to follow the right treatment,” he added.

Dr Moti said the case of Baljinder was also an eye opener for thousands of Doaba residents who left their families behind and indulged in unsafe sex in far off lands.

He stressed that precautions must be taken, and AIDS and HIV positive tests be made mandatory for all those entering into matrimony.