Things is getting too heavy in the BS area. Read this.... as some barbers used to say when handing back the change "..and something for the weekend sir?"

India's condoms are missing their target
By Rahul Bedi, New Delhi
(Filed: 13/08/2004)


Millions of the condoms distributed free in India to combat Aids and population growth are being used for other purposes such as waterproofing roofs, reinforcing roads and even polishing saris, say health workers.

Others are being dyed and turned into children's balloons, or become water carriers or protective coverings for soldiers' guns.

In fact, only a quarter of the 1.5 billion condoms manufactured annually in India are being "properly utilised", says a report by doctors at King George's Medical University in Lucknow. Almost 900 million are meant to be handed out free for birth control and to curb the spread of HIV. But many are siphoned off by unscrupulous officials and are used by builders.

Some are mixed with concrete and tar, producing a smooth and crack-resistant road surface. Others are used as waterproofing. Builders spread a bed of condoms beneath the roof's cement plastering to keep out the monsoon rain.

Weavers are said to be using many thousands each day. The lubricated condoms help to polish the gold and silver thread used to embroider saris.

BTW we used to cap freon bottles with them in submarines to contain the small leaks (ha thats a welsh letter) and by the end of a patrol they would be nicely inflated, we would then take them up on the casing and release the offending gas.