Re: We the People in India:Working Together on HIV/AIDS.

[Guest guest]

Subject: Re: We the People in India:Working Together Works - Break the Silence

on HIV/AIDS.

Dear Dr.Rane, It was a pleasure going through your detailed letter and the

follow up action initiated by Rotary Club. An excellent article.

Congratulations!!!

In this connection our observation on the existing Condom Vendimg

Machines(CVM's) already installed are as under :

1)After the machine is empty and until it is refilled,it should not accept any

coins. Even in the normal operation, it should either vend or return the money

back. The existing machines do not have this facility/ arrangement. It is more

like the old coin operated telephone boxes which gobble the coins and the

customer goes wild.

2) it should be able to vend standard packet as also individual condoms.In fact,

packets are cheaper than individual condoms. For example, a packet of 5 Nirodhs

are available for a selling price of 2 rupees( Buying cost is Rs.1.50 / Rs1.6o )

sold as Deluxe Nirodh.

3) There should a choice of Rs 2 for normal and Rs 5 for specialsed

condoms. In short, please give the customer a variety/ choice and may a new

pleasure( Pun intended ). Kamasutra condoms may be happy to support the

advetisement space provided on the machines.

Last, but not the least, the machine should be sturdy and vandal-proof.Because

of shortage of coins, the machine should have a arrangement for giving change in

form of coins or alternatly a person to kept near the machine for providing the

coins. Of course in the second case,it defeats the purpose of keeping a Vending

machine.

I feel we should go for imported machines, where all these features are

incorporated. We should apply for duty exemptions and bring the latest

electronic versions which are available at Rs 70000/80000 rupees plus duty and

other charges, if any.

They not only solve the problems of non-vending,coin gobbling existing CVM'S

machines , but are totally vandal proof and the free space on the machine can be

rented out for advertisement. I believe many such machines are installed in

London Tube network and in Paris, France and are working very well. May be some

foreign NGO's working in India can provide more details and information.

P.S Like we brought a revolution in STD i.e Subsciber Truck Booking in

telephones, let us bring a revolution in controling/reducing/ limiting Sexualy

Transmitted Disases in India through the use of condoms.

Regards,

K.Vaidyanathan

e-MAIL: KV170746@...