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India's permissive past is of little cheer to a 21st century sex toy seller who often finds himself caught between a moralising customs officer, (intent on “saving Indian culture” from Western decadence) and an ambiguous law that can put an end to the enthusiasm of even the most determined entrepreneur.
Section 292 of the Indian Penal Code, for instance, bans the sale, advertisement, distribution and public exhibition of a book, pamphlet, painting or any other object that may deem obscene.
“Even a t-shirt with a graphical image can be illegal in India, if that image is regarded as obscene,” says Samir Saraiya, founder and CEO of ThatsPersonal.
But then what constitutes obscenity? The answer to that is entirely subjective and tied to an abstract concept called morality. This means, many a time an entrepreneur will find himself at the mercy of customs officers who have the power to determine the fate of their ‘unsanskari’ consignments.
Ganeshan of Kamakart says he loses two out of every 10 shipments to authorities.
The logistical challenges have encouraged some to explore the possibility of manufacturing sex toys in India.
“Manufacturing sex toys in India will allow us to customise our products ” says Nazir of Kaamastra. “Some of the products which we sell currently like adult board games are designed for Western customers,” he says.
For Saraiya, the challenge is not so much about setting up a manufacturing unit in India as much as the practicalities involved in making it work.
“Right now it’s easier to pay import duty than doing this in India,” he explains.
Quality is another area of concern. “We have many suppliers for raw materia in India, but the art of constructing it that’s a hill we have to cross,” says Armani. “We are scouting for experienced local manufacturers and are hopeful that our ambition will see the light of the day soon,” he says.
That’s indeed a giant leap for someone whose only prayer, 10 years ago, was not to get arrested when he landed at the Mumbai airport for the ‘crime’ of running a sex toy business.
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