Condoms? I'd rather have coke!

So, I read really long back (like coupla years back) that the Delhi University campuses were getting condom vending machines installed. It surprised me, angered me and then drove me to write an article. Note that this is like five years back okay. I suddenly woke up this evening and felt a strong urge to share it on the blog today. I don't know why today but I hope you read it and be blessed! It's my opinion and I'm not ashamed of it!

Here's the link to the original news article that instigated my article below: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/543913.cms

My Article:

Condom vending machines are the latest debate among almost all sections of Indian society. The recent installation of these machines in the university campuses at Delhi as well as in public urinals all over the capital has become a matter of grave discussion.

To every section it’s point of view. The Aids awareness activists say it’s for the purpose of safe sex, the students say the accessibility is awesome, parents are simply paranoid and culture vultures are apprehensive beyond measure.

I must have my say, too. And why not? It’s constitutional and, well, different from the two poles we have right now. I’m not discussing who is right and who is wrong. No, no. I’m just talking off the top of my head. You can read on and well, think for yourselves.

So, let’s start.

Firstly, the idea is brilliant. Whoever thought that a condom could come straight out of a vending machine is one heaven of a genius. The wonders of human creation. First, coke cans and then, candy and hey, now condoms. Isn’t it amazing what the human mind can do? So, the idea sounds great. And think about this, it’s getting popular in India faster than the coke vending machines or even, the chocolate vending machines. I can bet none of the campuses in Delhi that have the condom vending machine will have even half a coke vending machine. Nah! Nothing close to it even.

So, that brings in my argument. With condoms that accessible, would sex be more of a conscious choice? Hmm? Think of it this way…A couple in college know there is a vending machine where a condom comes out with just a few coins. Would they choose to hang out behind the rocks and crevices, where they previously used to make out superficially for fear of pregnancy, or would they simply look for a better place to have sex now that the safety part is taken care of?

Oh! We understand your intention ‘Aunt Aids Awareness’. It’s only Aids that you want to prevent. The Indian National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) estimates that approximately 5,100,000 Indians are infected with Aids. 75% of these are men and women over the age of 30. Another 11% are children below the age of 10. Also, the south Indian states of Andhra Pradesh (2.25%), Karnataka (1.25%) and Maharashtra feature among the top so far as states with the highest AIDS infected population goes. Delhi is shown as negligible on the NACO stats. Condom vending machines in university campuses in Delhi??? Is it a wise move?? Mull over this for a while. I’m just wondering myself.

So, after all the wondering, here’s what I say. This move has less to do with preventing aids and more to do with promoting safe sex. And what is safe sex? Sex with a condom? Is it safe? Safe is subjective, isn’t it? Does safe mean a lifelong promise to commit? Does safe mean to have and to hold for better and for worse? Statistics also say that 93% of relationships that involve pre-marital sex do not end up in marriage. The condoms can come easily but commitment doesn’t come easy, does it? The coins seem little to give away in exchange for a condom but is virginity that inexpensive?

Oh! I’m not forcing you to deliberate my way. I just want you to think. As logical, rational individuals. As intelligent youth. Will Mumbai colleges be next? Not if we have anything to do with it. Not if you have anything to do with it. We need to get together and keep a strong front. We can’t let our college grounds be places where the sex is defiled and separated from the confines of matrimony. We aren’t so frail and weak-willed that we would trade our virginity for some high-school fantasy ride. Nah! We’re substance. You’re substance. We aren’t what they think we are. We don’t need those machines in our colleges. Period.