She moved from Namakkal to the state capital of Chennai with her uncle in 1997. Here, she joined an initiative called INP Plus (Indian Network for Positive People Plus) which disseminated information about HIV/AIDS. When INP Plus opened a separate wing for women and children PWN (Positive Women s Network) Plus Kousalya was chosen to helm it.

Even though HIV-infected people in India were ostracised as untouchables at that time, Kousalya acknowledged that she was HIV-positive and emerged as a national hero. She spoke at length about her predicament. She even let herself be photographed.
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