TFTTOMH II (The Devil called "AIDS")

Back in office, with nothing to do! So I thought I'll tell you about how increasingly important it is becoming for Indian companies (and in fact firms all over the world) to sit up and take notice of the fact that many of their employees are exposed to the risk of AIDS! And if they dont act now (as is the attitude of most Indian firms), and continue to keep their eyes shut stubbornly refusing to appreciate the seriousness of the epidemic and its potential devastating effects it can have on not only its employees, but in turn on its own bottomlines also, they will suffer in the long run. Based on an article I recently read, it is much more cheaper for companies to provide treatment to affected employees on a regular basis - basically covering the costs of the Anti-retrovirals (ARVs) - than to lay them off the minute their infection is discovered. Not surprisingly, the main category of people infected with this deadly disease is Truck Drivers. Seven in 100 truck drivers are inflicted with this disease in India. And that pecentage is increasing by the day. As far as the industry segment is concerned, the call centers, with their huge population of youngsters, working away from their homes, and loaded with surplus cash, are a soft target. Just the other my partner and I were talking about how talking to a person of the opposite sex at night is so so different from talking during the day. The night imposes a certain magic in young hearts, and where passion goes out of control, Mr. AIDS has the last laugh.

So if you are working in a firm and in a position to suggest some measures to the management to take notice of the situation, spread some awareness among the employees, frame some policies within the company addressed specifically to tackle this problem, DO IT! Do not wait for the inevitable. For If you can help it, it is not inevitable any more. Its difficult taking note of all these things- right from this issue to problems like Global warming, rising petroleum prices et al- as long as they dont hit you. But make no mistake, these are for real! And one day or the other, when we are affected, directly or otherwise, we dont want to be told, "You had a chance to set things right, you preferred to overlook it".

So long then...

P S : And in case you are wondering what TFTTOMH is, it stands for Thoughts From The Top My Head!!!