Web Portal on Private Sector Response to HIV/AIDS and Stigma: Mobilizing Leadership and Action

The companies featured in this page offer some examples of businesses in India that have taken leadership actions to address HIV/AIDS and reduce stigma about the virus in their workplace and community. The companies have agreed to share their "stories," including their challenges, as well as innovative and successful practices in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Their experiences can help to inform other companies and partners who are interested in taking on a similar commitment.

We hope that from the company stories profiled here you will learn more about what the private sector around you is doing to respond to this epidemic, why HIV/AIDS is a business issue and how your business can take its own actions to address HIV/AIDS. If you have a story that you would like\\ to add to this page, we welcome you to contact our program and share your unique experiences. (Click the icon to view questions and answers in audio files.)

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is a non-government, not-for-profit, industry led and industry managed organisation, playing a proactive role in India’s development process.

Shefali Chaturvedi

Director & Head - Social Development Initiatives

“There are pretty simple steps…that any company can take, IT companies included, which is that you make your own employee base aware… you make them aware of what really are the issues about HIV/AIDS…it’s the same for SMEs in the IT sector."

Questions

Answers in Audio

1. Why does your organization address HIV and AIDS as a business issue?
2. What do you think are some of the main HIV/AIDS and stigma issues facing the private sector in India, specifically the IT sector?
3. What are some examples of actions that IT companies including SMEs in the sector can do to contribute to HIV/ AIDS awareness, care & support both within and outside their companies?
4. Could you briefly tell us about CII's HIV and AIDS programs and activities, and how they engage local companies in the HIV/AIDS response?
5. What do you think are some main ways forward for IT companies including SMEs in the sector to learn from existing experiences and help to address HIV and AIDS and stigma?

DCM Shriram
DCM Shriram Consolidated Limited is a company with interests mainly in chemicals and agribusiness.

Col. Subehsh Bhan
Group General Manager

“We felt that this is an anonymous epidemic, which at the rate that it is growing, it is bound to affect our business, as well as the society…that was a motivating factor which made the top management believe….we need to work in this field."

Questions

Answers in Audio

1. Could you briefly introduce your company?
2. Could you explain how and why your company first started its HIV/AIDS programs and activities?
3. Could you tell us about your HIV/AIDS programs and activities, especially how they address stigma and reach young people?
4. Could explain some of the innovative approaches used by your company to address HIV/AIDS?
5. How has your company’s HIV/AIDS program worked with partners in India?
6. What can other companies and sectors in India learn from your HIV and AIDS experiences?

Hindustan Lever

Hindustan Lever Limited is a fast-moving consumer goods company with more than a hundred manufacturing plans across India.

Dr. T. Rajgopal

“It is not one size that fits all, but starting from the bare minimum of telling people how it can be transmitted and how it can not be transmitted, to having voluntary counseling and testing and even provision of anti-retroviral drugs."

Questions

Answers in Audio

1. Why does your company think HIV/AIDS is a business issue?
2. Could you tell us about your company’s HIV/AIDS and stigma reduction programs and activities?
3. How has your company’s HIV/AIDS program worked with partners in India?
4. What can other companies and sectors in India learn from your experiences?

Reliance Industries Limited

Reliance Industries Limited is India's largest private sector enterprise, with businesses in the energy and materials value chain.

Click Here to View a Short Video on Reliance HIV/AIDS Initiative

Rohit Rao, Corporate Communications
Dr. Shrinivas Shanbhag, Medical Advisor
Dr. Ashok Mewara

“…the company chose to opt for the public-private partnerships because the problem is so humongous. One stakeholder can not do much…the entire community needs to be involved. The problem is not just money…It is the involvement of the community at every level."

Questions

Answers in Audio

1. Why does your company think HIV/AIDS is a business issue?
2. Could you tell us about your HIV/AIDS programs and activities?
3. How has your company’s HIV/AIDS program worked with partners in India?
4. What are some successes of your company’s HIV/AIDS program?
5. How do your company’s HIV/AIDS activities address stigma and discrimination?
6. What can other companies and sectors in India learn from your HIV and AIDS?

Satyam

Satyam Computer Services Ltd. is a leading global consulting and IT services company, offering a wide array of solutions customized for a range of key verticals and horizontals.

Balaji Utla Director

“…this disease affects young people, and if India has an economic potential…to sustain it, I think... a country like this needs to have a workforce that is healthy. There are two simple reasons, one is that the workforce is healthy and two is to avoid any kind of health related costs."

My Future, My Choice! HIV/AIDS and Life Skills: A handbook for a healthy and successful life

Questions

Answers in Audio

1. Why does your company think HIV/AIDS is a business issue?
2. Could you tell us about your HIV/AIDS programs and activities?
3. What are the perceptions among IT companies on HIV/AIDS?
4. How has your company’s HIV/AIDS program worked with partners in India?
5. What can IT companies do to address stigma?
6. What can other companies and sectors in India learn from your HIV and AIDS experiences?

ZMQ Software Systems
ZMQ Software Systems is an Innovative Software Solution Provider specializing in customized eLearning, Gaming, Edutainment, Knowledge Management and Human Performance solutions.

Dr. Subhi Quraishi, Director

“This industry is highly vulnerable because … immediately they have an opportunity to join a job where they can get 500 USD a month….for Indian standards which is not bad…the working hours are very odd…which is good for India economically, but at the same time it is affecting the youth."

Program Description: Freedom HIV/AIDS First ever Initiative on HIV/AIDS awareness using Mobile Games

Questions

Answers in Audio

1. Could you explain how and why your company first started its HIV/AIDS programs and activities?
2. Could you tell us about your HIV/AIDS programs and activities?
3. Do you think there is a perception among companies in the IT sector that HIV/AIDS is a problem?
4. What are some examples of things that smaller IT companies can do to contribute to HIV/ AIDS awareness, care & support both within and outside their companies?
5. Could you tell us about your HIV/AIDS programs and activities, especially how they address stigma?
6. How has your company’s HIV/AIDS program worked with partners in India?
7. What can other companies and sectors in India learn from your HIV and AIDS experiences?