College boys turn to sex for quick bucks

Richhomosexuals turn ‘sugar daddies’ for young college boys, who make aquick buck in return for sexual favors.
Rohan, a final yearengineering student lives a secret life after college hours. “I chat withcustomers and fix up appointments through a gay dating website(planetromeo.com). Apart from the money I get from patrons, I also have land onmy name (worth ` 2.5 lakh) from others.Sex work helps me live a comfortablelifestyle.”
He’s not the only one. Raju, a 19-year-oldstudent, reveals, “One day an elderly man propositioned me and was readyto pay me money in return. Now, I am a student by day and a sex worker bynight.”
With rich “sugar daddies” supporting theirlifestyles, Rohan and Raju have joined a growing number of college boys inHyderabad who are turning to flesh trade for easy money. And it’s not justmoolah that keeps them going. Some are just happy with all the free shopping andgifts like mobile phones, watches and jewellery that are showered on them inreturn for sexual favors. And once they get used to all the attention and bigbucks, there is no looking back for these boys. “Why should I stop?”asks Rohan, adding, “I pay my own college fees and my brother’sschool fees. Also, I’ll use the money to fund my US education.”
It all started out of desperation. “My cousin had once offeredme a gift in exchange of sex when I was in school. But I had refused then. Butlater I turned to him when I was in college and I needed ` 3000 to pay my fees.He introduced me to his pals and this became a regular affair. I’d eitherbe paid in cash or kind. There was a man who would even spend half of his salaryon me. It’s been two years since I have been offering sex for money.Through a website, educated clients from well-to-do families approachme.”
Entertainment ke liyekuch bhi karega
There are also those who took a fancy to this tradejust to support their lifestyles. “I stay alone in the city and when guysstarted hitting on me, I used this opportunity to make money in exchange forfun, So, what’s the big deal if I am a BEd student by day and a sex workerby night?” asks Madan. Another final year BCom student adds, “Mypocket money wasn’t enough to support my expensive lifestyle. That’swhen I learnt of this trend where older men pay young boys like me for sexualservices. Now, I manage to make around ` 15,000-25,000, which is big money for acollege-goer like me.”
Naughtyafter 40
A member of an organization for sex workers admits thatthis trend of college students being involved in flesh trade, is alarming.“We conducted a survey where we found that a lot of homosexual men above40 years turn to young college boys for sex. And youngsters are in it for quickmoney,” he says.
All in thesly
Many of these young boys, who use dating websites to create aprofile and attract customers earn anything from ` 1000-1500 to ` 6000 and more.Others get paid in kind - mobiles, watches, free travel, shopping etc. Thesecollege-goers, who hide their secret lives from not just parents, but alsofriends, find different ways to justify their financial independence. From“I take tuition for school kids” to “I have a part-timejob”, the excusesvary.
(Names have been changed onrequest)
rupam.jain@timesgroup.com