The fear of AIDS is making GenNext turn to other ways of sexual gratification. There has been a 50% rise in use of sex toys and a 30% drop in brothel visits
The fear of AIDS is making GenNext turn to other ways of sexual gratification. There has been a 50% rise in use of sex toys and a 30% drop in brothel visits
There has been a lusty 50 per cent rise in the use of sex toys and a 30 per centu00a0 fall in the number of men
ADVERTISEMENT
visiting commercial sex workers over the last one year. Confirming this, noted sexologist Prakash Kothari said, "GenNext is concerned about sexual safety and performance and so, there has been a substantial rise in patients asking for life-sized inflatable sex dolls and vibrators."
Said Dr (Prof) Rajan Bhonsle, head of the Sexual Medicine Dep-artment, KEM Hospital, "There has been a drop in clients to brothels."
"There is risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases. But I don't recommend the use of sex toys," said Bhonsle.
Kothari, on the other hand pointed out that sex toys have great therapeutic value. "If they are used skillfully they can help a woman attain orgasm," he said.
"The sale of sex toys is a punishable offence under Section 293 (Sale of obscene objects) of the IPC and punishment varies from one year to seven years with a fine of up to Rs 5,000," explained Senior Inspector Rajendra Joshi of the Social Service Branch.u00a0
According to Kothari, irrespective of restrictions in the sale, such toys are easily available provided you know the right person. Rates vary between Rs 500 and Rs 3,000 for a dildo to between Rs 4,000 and Rs 15,000 for inflatable dolls in Mumbai.
In Palika Bazar in New Delhi, young couples, college students and even tourists crowd the market to buy dildos, vibrators and sex dolls. Hushed whispers of "Kya chahiye, kya chalega?" crowd you in. "The demand for sex toys is quite high. However, the economic slowdown has affected our business in the last six to seven months. Sales have dipped slightly," said Aatish Jain, a shopkeeper selling these toys and added that the hottest selling items are life-size inflatable dolls.
"We sell at least 10 to 12 of these dolls every month," added Jain.
The dolls smuggled in from the US are pricedu00a0 around Rs 9,000, while the Chinese ones are priced at Rs 4,000. In fact, over 70 per cent of the Rs 40,000 crore sex-toy industry is in China and Taiwan. Said a senior business manager with Hindustan Latex Limited, Chennai, one of the world's largest condom manufacturer, "Sex toys have found a new market in India, but such toys will lead to severe consequences in society and should be banned and though sales take place openly, the government chooses to ignore it."
What is a sex toy?
A sex toy is an object or device that is primarily used in facilitating human sexual pleasure. Popular sex toys are designed to resemble human genitals and are classified as vibrating or non-vibrating. Contraceptives, pornographic material and condoms cannot be classified as sex toys.
"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels 
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
