Pan chewers will be beaten up

This appeared in Times of India on Saturday 17th Jan 2009. (the article)

The administration of the SSKM hospital in Kolkata has put up a warning board for pan and pan masala chewers entering their premises. The warning is simple, enter chweing a pan and you will be beaten up. They are also planning to put up such messages for smokers.

Though it appears bit bad (and unfortunate) that such messages are really needed. But what brings us to smile is the news that it works. Is it the tough message that works, or the strict implementation?

What this message does is that it not only states the rule/request - like a "no smoking" board, it also informs the people of the consequences of breaking the rule - I should know what punishment I get if I smoke. The punishment in this case can be delivered immidiately - no court of law to be moved. Plus, the punishment is very embarrassing - getting a slap never equates a fine of Rs 500.

A lesser punishment of an immidiately delivered punishment can also work, provided it is implemented strictly. For example, people generally follow traffic rules if they know that a fair chance of getting fined exists. Such a messages, being extreme and unique, attract more attention and support. But the only risk is that the hospital staff someday runs into trouble by beating some criminally minded politically powerful pan chewer.

But the worst risk is getting an image of being farzi. The public should never be allowed to think that the warning is not being implemented strictly. That would not only tarnish the image of the administration, it would make them a laughing stock. More than that, it would further encourage rule breakers and demoralize those who follow.

The bottomline - clear information and strict implementation. Tell me the rule, tell me consequences of breaking it, in simple and clear language. And if I break the rule, punish me, without fail.