IMPHAL, October 19: The Joint Brother’s Group, Manipur today handed a cheque of rupees three lakh as a helping hand to Kh Pradeep Kumar who will be participating at Mr Universe contest at Germany in the coming month of November.
The cheque was handed over to Kh Pradeep at a simple function at Manipur Press Club today.
Kh Romesh, assistant secretary of the group, said, it is very unfortunate that the state government have not provided any assistance to former Mr India Kh Pradeep Kumar, who is living with HIV, while he prepares for Mr Universe Contest.
The Joint Brother’s Group raised the money by organizing a lotto, he said.
He further continued that as Pradeep is preparing for the Mr Universe contest, maintaining the diet is very important for him. He usually spent Rs 45,000 per month in maintaining his diet.
KH Pradeep Kumar, speaking with media persons, said that people usually discriminate people living with HIV (PLHIV) and he wants to fight against such discrimination. He said by becoming a body builder he wants to send a message to the world that even people living with HIV can live a normal healthy life.
He also expressed his disappointment towards state government for seeing him as a job seeker, and said that he feels that the state government is making a mockery of him. Government’s corrupt officials and some NGOs are filling their pockets in the name of helping PLHIV, he added.
He further said that he wanted to become an Icon for the growing youths and promised to return the amount received by him in the form of laurels for the state.