The Andhra Pradesh government has held an exhibition projecting the seriousness of the threat of HIV/AIDS in the State Assembly building on Thursday. A huge condom was strung up in the lobby of the Assembly and walls were plastered with publicity material and posters giving statistics on the alarming spread of the dreaded disease in the State. There were colourful arches, banners, posters and placards - all about condoms, HIV and AIDS. Garlands of condoms were hung on the trees and walls outside.

Interestingly, the Government even arranged for distribution of condom packets to members and visitors to the Assembly. The exhibition coincided with the discussion in the House on tackling the disease that has taken an epidemic form. Andhra Pradesh ranks second in the country in the incidence of HIV/AIDS.

The members, however, were not amused at the vulgarity and could not suppress their embarrassment. The huge 8-foot condom made of rexine was the subject of 20-minute drama in the House. This, some members said, lowered the dignity of the House. Reacting to the members' criticism, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said it was precisely to remove such inhibitions and misconceptions that the exhibition was arranged. The idea behind the exhibition was to persuade the members not to feel shy on talking about sex. "We need to change our attitude. It was a subject that needs to be discussed freely even at home with children," he said.

Replying to suggestions made during the debate, the Chief Minister said the government was prepared to consider making pre-marriage HIV test compulsory for the bride and groom. He said within a year HIV testing kits would be made available in 115 community health centres in addition to the existing facilities in 86 hospitals.

The Chief Minister said as many as four lakh people in the state were living with HIV/AIDS and AP was among six states where HIV had become an epidemic.

He said AIDS prevention education programme had been taken up in all the high schools to create awareness among 13 lakh students of IX and X classes. College students were also covered under a separate programme. He said the government was thinking of involving religious leaders to educate children on moral values. Steps also would be taken to prevent child marriages. He said the government would consider asking cinema halls to show one-minute message on HIV/AIDS, interrupting the film show. A similar request would be made to the television channels.

The government would examine the feasibility of conducting HIV test on truck drivers when they come for renewal of their licences. Naidu welcomed the suggestion of BJP Floor leader Indrasena Reddy of such tests even for MLAs to dispel the impression that truck drivers were not singled out.

The state would celebrate the World AIDS Day on December 1 to create awareness among the people. He said the only medicine available to the problem was awareness. " I want you to change for if you change, the society will change," Naidu told the members.

Condom stalls were installed at both the entrances of the main hall - one meant for the ruling party and the other for the opposition. Boxes of condom packets of all brands were kept in the stalls and volunteers of the AP State AIDS Control Society distributed condoms to all those who asked for them free of cost.

Despite the criticism and embarrassment, two huge boxes of the contraceptives had got over by the afternoon and more were ordered. Who had picked up all those condoms? Probably it needs a House Committee to probe the matter.