Prachi Jatania, Ahmedabad: Gujarat's conservative society isn’t too keen to discuss the topic of HIV awareness, at least not when it’s enjoying the festivities of Navratri.

But Manoj Parmar, living with the HIV virus hasn’t let that stop him from playing garba to push forth HIV awareness among the youth.

"Mahaaul mein western culture ho gaya hai" (The western influence is on a rise in our society.) That's how some Gujaratis react to the mention of HIV.

But not Manoj Parma, who himself is HIV positive. He disclosed his status to his family recently and he's now hoping he can change how young people in Ahmedabad see HIV.

According to Parmar, society shies away from talking about HIV but it important that the youth knows about it.

Parmar says he will attend garba festivities this Navratri with a goal -- to speak to young people about his experience of HIV and change their perceptions of it.

Parmar has lived with the virus for four years and his fierce desire to not let the infection overwhelm him has enabled him to lead a relatively normal life -- he's married and has a seven year old child.

He thinks that HIV has been made a social disease but he wants it to remain a physical disease. At a stall in a city club, Ambaram and Hinaben, both HIV positive, are also doing their bit to spread awareness about the virus.

They hand out posters and leaflets, and try patiently to answer a barrage of questions. For many boys and girls like Krishna and Hiral, it's a Navratri with a difference this year. Krishna says, "It’s a good thing because for this festival the awareness is good."

Hiral adds, “"Navratri mein yeh zaroori hai...kyon abhi kuch galat ho sakta hai". It is important because anything can go wrong during Navratri.)