Playing safe without ‘Condom’ not working

July 8, 2010

Playing safe without `Condom' not working

Vibhor Mohan, Jul 8, 2010,

Chandigarh: After launching India's first ever Condom Bar, intended to spread

awareness about AIDS, Chandigarh Industrial and Tourism Development Corporation

had decided to rechristen the place Club Glassy earlier this year because it was

not attracting much business.

However, that more " family-friendly " concept doesn't seem to have brought about

the desired result. This is despite its prime location inside Kala Gram on the

Panchkula-Chandigarh road. The place continues to wear a deserted look during

the daytime.

Officials claimed that there had been a marginal increase of 15% in sales for

the April-June quarter, after it was made free of the anti-AIDS theme, as

compared to the first three months of the year.

The bar was opened in May 2007 with interiors decorated with condoms. Beer mugs

were condom shaped and staff uniforms had condom prints to make people,

especially youngsters, understand the importance of safe sex. The bar also made

condoms available for free and for a price to customers. Condoms were also given

in lieu of loose change.

" Authorities failed to judge the reason why the place was not gaining

popularity. Instead of marketing its unique concept, it has been turned into

just another restaurant, " said Karan Ahuja, a visitor to the bar. Those in

favour of the original concept argue that the Condom Bar was appreciated by the

Union health ministry, UN organizations and was covered by international

magazines as well. It was a brainchild of former managing director of CITCO, JS

Bir, and was dropped soon after his repatriation from the administration.

However, due to declining revenue and objections from residents regarding the

concept, it was decided to go in for a new theme. CITCO authorities maintained

that it was a routine affair to spruce up the bar with a new idea for the

ambience. They added that the new name gelled better with the idea of Kala Gram,

which was supposed to appear like a village of artisans. However, some signage

and articles of the older theme are still there at the entrance and inside the

bar.

CITCO MD DK Tiwari was not available for commenting on the issue.

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