India may be the birthplace of Kama Sutra, the 6th century sex manual, but it is also a deeply conservative society, and discussing sexual matters is usually taboo. That makes India's chatty, itinerant barbers a valuable means of spreading the AIDS message.

A unique prevention program has trained Ram and more than 10,000 barbers in sterilizing their razors and scissors, and has also tutored them to promote condom use, recognize the symptoms of AIDS and answer commonly asked questions about the illness.

"Sometimes men find it awkward to discuss their sexual habits. Then I wait till their faces are covered with shaving foam, or I've started cutting their hair, before broaching the topic," says Ram with a wry laugh. "They can't run away then."

Indian barbers have a history of offering more than just cutting hair. Traditionally they would travel from village to far-flung village, giving haircuts to regular customers. As they became familiar figures, they often would serve as matchmakers for their customers' families, and spread news of births, deaths or gossip.

Today, all over India, the barbershop _ often little more than a chair, a mirror and a pair of scissors _ is where men gather each day, reading the newspaper and chatting as they await their turn.

Take the case of Sumeru Mahto. An itinerant construction worker, he moves around New Delhi a lot but always returns to the same barber for his twice-weekly shave, and stays to chat.

"This city is crowded with strangers who come in search of work. They have no families, few friends," said Mahto. "You could say the barber is the closest I have to family in this city."

"Often it's not easy. Men are still shy about discussing their sexual encounters, but I find they tell me things they wouldn't even tell their wives," said Ram.

This is cache, read story here