Positively yours

69, the suggestively-named vegetarian eatery on Dhole Patil Road in Pune, often sees groups of college kids walk in expecting a 'mindblowing' dining experience. But once they notice the certificate on the wall that says 'HIV-positive’, some of these people are curious, some others look shiftily at one another, while yet others hastily leave.
To those who stay on and order, chef Ashtad Dadachanjee and other waiters ask politely, "Have you gone through our brochure?" The brochures have a helpline number printed on them, and coasters and bookmarks kept at every table contain information about the spread of AIDS.
The idea of using a restaurant to disseminate information about the disease came to Ashtad when he saw a colleague being fired from his previous workplace, an Italian restaurant, for being HIV-positive. Ashtad quit in protest, and along with his friend Hans Billimoria, an AIDS activist, came up with an initiative called Wake Up Pune, envisaged as a coalition of NGOs and individuals to spread awareness about HIV and AIDS.
The HIV-positive certificate stands for "being positive about educating ourselves, spreading awareness and reaching out to those affected," says Billimoria, who wants to bust myths about the deadly virus. They seek to do this through street theatre, live gigs and red-ribbon sporting waiters, and by organising short films and plays. Ashtad, on the other hand, hopes to help HIV positive people by employing them at the restaurant.
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