Akola (Maharashtra), Dec 15 : AIDS workers in Maharastra''s Akola town took a leaf out of a latest Bollywood flick to protest step-motherly treatment to them.

The workers wore the mask of Auro, a teenager afflicted with progeria, in the film ''Paa'', played by Amitabh Bachchan.

The protestors said that just as Auro''s father took care of his son in ''Paa'', the authorities concerned should look after their demands for job permanency and decent salaries.

"A father takes care of his children in every possible manner. Our employers MSACS (Maharashtra State AIDS Control Society) and NACO (National AIDS Control Organisations) are just like a father to us so they have to take care of us like a father, they must look into our demands. We choose this ''Paa Movement'' to press in our demands," said Madhav Khandare, a protestor.

India has the world''s third largest population suffering from AIDS, after South Africa and Nigeria. It is estimated that around 2.3 million people are currently living with HIV.(ANI)