Condom vending unit for Kerala Technopark

TRIVANDRUM, INDIA: Over 30,000 employees at the Technopark campus here will have a condom vending unit at their disposal in a week's time, with healthcare firm HLL Lifecare Ltd set to install one there.

It was not too long ago that plumbers had a nightmare on the campus as toilet drains were found clogged with condoms. Now the condom vending unit is being set up there by the city-based mini-ratna company as part of a new marketing strategy.

M. Vasudevan, development manager at the IT park campus, said a condom vending unit of HLL would be set up at the Technomall in the campus.

"HLL came to us with their proposal to set up a vending unit and we agreed. They will get space to put it up for a monthly rent of Rs.7,500," Vasudevan told IANS.

Technopark today is home to 200 companies which employ more than 30,000 people.

Asked if there was need for such a unit inside the campus, he said: "HLL said they are a government of India concern, besides they have set up similar machines at various places as part of their social objective.

"Condoms are available at almost all shops, so if not here, the needy will source it from elsewhere, is it not," asked Vasudevan.

With the third phase of Technopark scheduled to be completed later this year, another 10,000 employees will be added to the campus.

A techie, when asked about the vending machine, shot back: "Why the fuss? Are condoms a banned product?"