This has reference to the news story “No deusi-bhailo after 10:00pm” (THT, October 27, Page 4). After celebrating a great festival Dashain recently, we are now celebrating Tihar, which is one of the most awaited festivals soon after Dashain.

This is the most important festival for all sisters and brothers. Needless to say, Tihar is also famous for colourful lights along with songs of deusi-bhailo which is celebrated in every nook and corner of our society. However, the government will not entertain deusi-bhailo after 10:00pm.

So, the government should re-think about the time it has imposed on deusi-bhailo revellers who should be allowed to carry their cultural tradition if they do not pose any threat to social security.

The deusi-bhailo revellers should also abide by the law enforcement agencies who face challenges maintaining law and order during festive season.

Apart from that, it is not surprising to say that due to the rapid growth of science and technology Tihar has been turning into a new form of celebration.

But, at the same time, one thing I can feel is our culture. Our culture will not die down despite the modern technology and exposed to outside pop culture.

It is also advised that the law enforcement agencies should strictly monitor and impose a ban on fire crackers that cause great disturbances in society and in some cases children and youth may suffer fatal injuries when they play with the fire crackers.

Saroj Wagle, Bara

Truant doctors

Apropos of the news story “Name plates placed to keep tab on truant doctors in hospitals” (THT, October 27, Page 2), it is unlikely that dead wooden or golden name plates would ‘imprison’ the truant doctors in their employer’s den. Old habits die hard.

As any doctor will vouch, stubborn ailment needs strong medicines at regular intervals for effective treatment, however, common and unpleasant. Here are some of the measures I took to keep my employees in the office during working hours. Gave pep talks, did not work: gave raise, did not work: gave warnings, did not work.

They left me with no choice but to breathe down their neck.

I also used door chains to keep them indoors, unlocking it for lunch and then locking it until the closing hours. At the end I felt like a Shepherd tending to sheep and goats and gave all an ‘iron’ handshake.

Today I am a happy man with no worries. Since every ailment requires different diagnosis, my prescription would not suit a government hospital. But I do have possible solutions. One is hourly or half-hourly attendance.

The second one is to station a bouncer at the main exit of all doctors. If this fails, put a bouncer each outside all doctor’s rooms. There are chances that doctors will corrupt the bouncers in which case we need a tough administrator that can crack whips on the truant doctors.

There are professional managers who can do this provided the perks and salaries are in six or seven digits.

Manohar Shrestha, Kathmandu