Glow(ering)SSKM sign to be replaced

KOLKATA: Harsh words they might have been, but they had worked like a magic charm at SSKM's School of Digestive & Liver Diseases (SDLD). "Anyone entering this hospital premises with pan/pan masala will be beaten up," the glow sign told visitors in three languages. Few dared to check if it was just an empty threat.
A few days after the sign had caught media attention, however, it was taken off.In a day or two, say the authorities, there will be a new board with a similar message: "Anyone entering this hospital premises chewing pan/pan masala will be specially greeted". Cutting, not outright rude - but enough for even the notso-bright to get the gist.
SDLD head Abhijit Chowdhury said: "No one asked me to take the board down. The aggressive campaign did its magic, but we decided to be a little innovative and change the language."
Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education & Research director Pradip Kumar Mitra said: "There was no pressure to withdraw the sign. I am sure doctors did not intend to beat up visitors, but it was meant to send a strong message."