These measures are among the innovative ideas being tried out in Andhra Pradesh, the second worst-hit state in the country with about 500,000 HIV positive cases after Maharashtra, to control the rapid spread of AIDS.
  
Liquor shops in this state capital and neighbouring Ranga Reddy district will distribute free condoms to their customers from Dec 1, World AIDS Day.

Under the campaign to be launched by the state AIDS control society (APSACS), 200 liquor shops would sport "buy liquor, get a condom free" boards. APSACS also plans to launch an awareness campaign "drink, but have safe sex".
  
This December will also see barbers in the state being involved in communicating the message of safe sex. They will distribute free condoms to their customers. APSACS has decided to train 25,000 barbers in counselling their customers on the dangers of the dreaded disease.
  
"Barbers can prove good counsellors as they maintain good relations with their customers and advise them on many issues," said Damayanthi, the society's project director.

She said 1,000 barbers in Hyderabad were acting as counsellors for the last few months and the results were encouraging.
    
The distribution of condoms through barbers was mooted five years ago, but it got stuck in the planning stage. Last December then chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had released the condom box to be installed in the saloons and a manual on AIDS training for barbers in Hyderabad.
   
Barbers will get a free kit, which will have condoms and a training manual, apart from instruments like scissors and combs. They also get a mirror, which will have safe sex messages pasted on it and a calendar.
    
This is not all. The state government has decided to involve religious leaders, legislators and other prominent personalities in the AIDS awareness campaign. The fortnight-long campaign from Dec 1 to 15 will also involve college students.
  
M.V. Ramana Rao, convenor of the recently formed Andhra Pradesh Legislature Forum on AIDS, said a meeting of religious leaders would be held here on Dec 10 to enlist their support for the campaign. He said the issue would also be discussed in the winter session of the assembly beginning Dec 7.
   
India has 5.1 million HIV positive cases, the second highest in the world after South Africa.

--Indo-Asian News Service