Be aware

Sir - A number of factors hamper the prevention and treatment of tuberculosis, such as ignorance, late detection, difficulties in developing an effective vaccine, and expensive drugs. The fear of stigma also makes patients hide their illness. This results in delayed, and often inadequate, treatment. Patients who do not adhere to the treatment regimen compromise the effects of the drugs and take longer to recover. Pregnant women with TB should get swift treatment in order to avoid harmful effects on the foetus. The disease is curable if treated properly.

Yours faithfully,

Kiran Agarwal, Calcutta

Numbered days

Sir - The former Australian skipper, Mark Taylor, has suggested that Test matches should be reduced to four days of play in order to encourage spectators to watch the games, as viewership around the world has been dwindling ("Mark Taylor for four-day Tests", Nov 3). As an avid fan of the game, I do not think that Taylor's proposal is the solution Test cricket needs. In order to bolster attendance for Test matches, the day/night format for Tests was introduced, as was the pink ball. In the first day/night Test match at Adelaide, played between Australia and New Zealand, there were concessional rates for 'Twilight Tickets' for people who attended only the last two sessions. This move was successful. The number of days of play did not matter at all, as the match itself was highly engrossing.

The cricket boards of all Test-playing nations should be careful in selecting the venues for day/night Test matches. They should keep in mind factors such as varying weather conditions and the likelihood of excessive dew and rain. This, too, will help ensure that people do not feel discouraged about going to watch a match.

It is true that spectators today are more interested in the shorter formats of the game, especially Twenty20 matches, as these finish in a few hours. In fact, even one-day internationals are losing out to T20s. It cannot be denied that T20s have revived interest in cricket. Even naysayers have to admit that this format and the innovative stroke play it has encouraged have been a boon for the game. Cricketers who have played in the T20 format have honed their capabilities; this has stood them in good stead while playing Tests. In Taylor's time, 300-odd runs being scored on the first day of a Test was rare, but it has become common now. The traditional length of Tests need not be reduced to bolster interest in the format. The quality of cricket played must be more entertaining. Administrators, too, should look for unconventional venues for Test matches. The attendance for the India-New Zealand Test at Indore was excellent; on the other hand, the Test at Eden Gardens in Calcutta witnessed a sparse crowd. (In this context, it would be interesting to ask whether the crowds would have flocked to Eden Gardens if India had played against Australia or England, instead of the Kiwis.)

I firmly believe that the survival of Test cricket depends on the contest becoming more interesting and competitive over five days. Young Test players must breathe more life into the game. Once that happens, Test cricket shall regain its former glory.

Yours faithfully,

Dipak Banerjee, Calcutta

Sir - Mark Taylor's suggestion, that the length of Test matches be shortened to four days, should be implemented. This will help the matches pick up pace and generate more interest. It was disheartening to see the meagre turnout at Eden Gardens for the India-New Zealand Test match.

Yours faithfully,

Arindam Dey, Calcutta

Up in arms

Sir - We, the members of Indian Medical Association, are opposing the national medical commission bill, 2016, because we find it undemocratic. In order to urge the government to discard the NMC bill in its totality, we held a protest meeting on November 16.

The NMC bill takes away the healthcare and medical education industry's right to self-regulate. Most of the positions listed in the NMC bill will be held by non-doctors. If the bill is passed then the right to regulate the medical profession will be given over to those who have never studied medicine or related subjects. Besides, the bill stipulates that students who have cleared the bachelor of medicine, bachelor of surgery examination will have to appear for a licentiate exam (exit exam). They would be allowed to practise only if they qualify for this exam. We oppose this provision.

The bill also allows ayurvedic and homeopathic practitioners to get registration under the category of modern medicine. Practitioners of ayurveda, yoga and naturopathy, unani, siddha and homoeopathy should not be given the chance to prescribe allopathic drugs. The bill also makes postgraduate seats in modern medicine available to Ayush graduates. This will lead to a decrease in the number of available seats. We must unite for our future doctors. The medical profession should not suffer.

Yours faithfully,

Harihar Dikshit, Patna

Chaotic days

Sir - The demonetization drive of the Centre has hurt the common man grievously. Chaos has spread all around. I found a lady with a sick baby in her arms. She was pleading people to exchange the demonetized currency so that she could pay the doctor's fees. The never-ending queues at different banks even at the fag end of working hours is a disturbing sight.

People are wasting entire days to get the new currency notes. There are forms to be filled up, photocopies to be made and attested, personal details to be furnished - the paraphernalia of the exchange process is bothersome. A lady told me that a particular bank refused to exchange Rs 4,000 and even made sarcastic remarks about the urgency. Why should we put up with the banks' tantrums to get our own money?

I do not want to comment on the efficacy of the Centre's demonetization scheme in weeding out black money. I simply want to assert that the preparedness of banks in dealing with the resulting crisis leaves much to be desired. The public has been taken for a ride.

Yours faithfully,

Dharmendra Kumar Singh, Patna

Sir - The Centre has allowed shops and malls to stay open 24x7 to boost business. To tackle the disorder following the demonetization, banks should remain open day and night. The bank staff could work on rotational basis for a week.

Yours faithfully,

T.S. Karthik, Chennai

Ancient ties

Sir - It is heartening to note that the famous Bali yatra, which highlights the cultural and business history of Odisha, is off to a colourful start. The National Green Tribunal has given its approval in spite of concerns it had regarding damage to the environment. The festival has much sentimental value for Odias. By attracting lakhs of people from across the state, it also provides an opportunity for traders and artisans to showcase their products. The state government's success in organizing the festival is praiseworthy.

Yours faithfully,

Sampurna Baliarsingh, Cuttack

 

Sir - The effect of demonetization can be felt at the Bali yatra fair. People are cautious of spending at the fair as they have limited resources. The traders are not accepting Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes as per the Central government order. However, since the move is aimed at the greater good of the country, people are taking it in their stride. More than that, they are glad that the event is being held after the interference from the National Green Tribunal.

Yours faithfully,

Manohar Pal, Bhubaneswar

 

Sir - The Kalinga-Indonesia dialogue, organized in part by the state government and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, will help foster a productive relationship. The former chief minister of Odisha, Biju Patnaik, highlighted the importance of the state's relations with Indonesia through his unique contributions to that country. Bali yatra presents an opportunity to renew trade arrangements with Indonesia that would benefit Odisha for years to come.

Yours faithfully,

Sanjeev Padhi, Sambalpur

 

Sir - The age-old Bali yatra festival commemorates the story of our great ancestors, their voyages and achievements in foreign trade. However, I must say that the festival would be more organized and lively had it been planned more carefully. The administration should be distributing free brochures, leaflets or books to inform attendees about the meaning of the occasion. As a number of people come only to shop, the festival is important to the livelihoods of many of the vendors.

Yours faithfully,

Janmejaya Rath, Kendrapara

 

Sir - The National Green Tribunal warned the state government about threats to the environment posed by Bali yatra, but somehow the administration still managed to obtain clearance for holding the festival.

I am not against the celebration taking place, but it should be conducted in a manner that does not end up harming nature. We are already fighting global warming: everyone should understand its impact and contribute to prevent its deleterious consequences. The pollution levels should be checked during and after Bali yatra.

Yours faithfully,

Sadananda Jena, Jajpur