Ray of Hope: Meet this bold HIV-positive woman from Odisha

An HIV positive woman in Bhubaneswar has overcome all odds and barriers. She is now a source of motivation for many who have been living with the dreaded HIV. Subhasini Sahu (name changed) has been educating people about HIV and helping out people infected with the disease.

Bhubaneswar: Despite being an HIV infected, Subhasini Sahu (name changed) from Bhubaneswar not only became self-reliant but became a source of motivation for many who have been living with the dreaded HIV.

The founder of Kalinga Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS, an NGO functioning from Odisha's capital city, Subhasini (45) survived against all odds and barriers.

Subhasini married while she was a student of class 12 without knowing about her husband's illness. She lost her husband suffering from HIV and was later diagnosed with the virus transmitted from him.

Life became crueler and difficulties came in leaps and bounds for Subhasini when her in-laws came to know about the disease. She was thrown out of her husband's house while she was three months pregnant.

The adverse situations encouraged her to become financially independent, but that didn't deter her from doing something for people like her. In 2004, she formed the network of HIV patients to encourage them to have a better life.

Talking to ETV Bharat, Subhasini said, "When I was diagnosed with HIV positive in 2004, I felt lonely and isolated. But, today I am proud of myself."

Over the years, she has been educating people about HIV and helping out people infected with the disease.