A Tribute to Thozhi Katiry: A friend, dedicated worker and a leader

Late Thozhi Katiry started working in Kripa Foundation (Kohima, Nagaland) as a peer outreach worker since the rollout of the UNODC supported project in the northeastern states of India. Over the years in Nagaland, Kripa Foundation has been actively working with commitment on various issues related to drug use and HIV/AIDS. Thozi, as an outreach expert and a committed individual, took the work and vision of Kripa Foundation to the remotest areas of Nagaland to help drug users and those infected/affected by HIV reintegrate back into the society with dignity.

His contributions to the cause of drug use and HIV prevention especially at the grass roots level in Nagaland have been numerous. Notable amongst them are his efforts in pioneering the comprehensive harm reduction activities in Nagaland being supported by the UNODC Project H13. A dedicated worker, Thozhi was instrumental in implementing technical interventions in the field including Low Cost Community Care and Support (LCCS), peer led outreach and Rapid Situation and Response Assessment (RSRA) in Nagaland.

Within a short duration Thozhi's dedication and hard work ensured him back to back promotions, first as the peer outreach coordinator and subsequently an outreach specialist under targeted intervention project of Kripa Foundation until his sudden demise on 26th Oct 2009.

The UNODC Regional Office for South Asia joins his family and friends in mourning a friend and able partner in our work in the region