Jamshedpur, Aug. 4: Don’t be surprised if you are asked to furnish a “no-AIDS certificate” before your marriage is finalised.

Twenty-six-year-old Ravi Malhotra, a resident of Telco Colony, was stumped when during marriage negotiations he was asked to give “proof” that he was not afflicted with the HIV virus. “My marriage was being fixed with a girl in Secunderabad. Everything was finalised but the girl’s father asked me to furnish a ‘no-AIDS’ certificate’. The girl, too, has been asked to produce an AIDS-free medical certificate,” he said. Malhotra visited the Voluntary Counselling and Testing Centre (VCTC) at the MGM Medical Hospital for the tests. He added that he had received a doctor’s certificate, stating that he was not an HIV carrier.

Wannabe grooms and bridegrooms are thronging VCTC at the MGM Medical Hospital for HIV/AIDS examinations.

Mango resident Noor Khatoon’s marriage was being fixed in Rajasthan. Noor’s father Mohammad Usmilaah was taken aback when he was asked to produce a certificate that his daughter was HIV-free. “I took my daughter to VCTC. I did not want to take any risk since my daughter’s marriage was being finalised,” he said.

VCTC in-charge A.C. Akhouri said the trend of unmarried youngsters volunteering to undergo HIV tests is growing in the city. “It is a good sign. It shows that people are becoming aware of the disease,” he told The Telegraph.

Akhauri said “It is good for society’s battle against the dreaded disease,” he said.

The doctor added that there was no harm in people asking for a “no-AIDS certificate”. “It is wise to clarify things before marriage. This practice is in vogue in parts of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh,” he said.

Akhauri added that VCTC is the only centre in the twin districts of Singhbhum and Seraikela-Kharsawan. “Most of the youngsters who come to VCTC have been asked to furnish certificates that they are not HIV positive. The report prepared by us is equivalent to a certificate,” he added.

With HIV positive cases on the rise in the city and surrounding areas, those in the marriageable age group are volunteering for the tests.

Resham Sharma of Birsanagar and Behari Lal of Baharagora also underwent HIV tests after they were told to furnish certificates that they were not carriers of the AIDS virus.

“My marriage was fixed at Katni in Madhya Pradesh. The boy’s family wanted my father to provide proof that I was not carrying the HIV virus. The tests revealed that I was not an HIV carrier. I am happy that my marriage will be solemnised soon,” said 26-year-old Resham.