Ringing in the New Year

Hi Guys,
I am not talking about the "New" calendar year. Today happens to be my birthday - the real one. People often take my birthday to be on 10 October which is the "official" one (I have my late parents to thank for this gaffe - though they did it in good faith - as insurance against possible failures in early schooling. Of course the move backfired because not only did I "not fail" but in one instance cleared two classes in one year. Such cases were called double promotions - a term unheard of now. Such were the trends in those days.) Well what is special is that I have completed 50 years on this earth today. How time flies !!! I sure dont feel like a 50 year old !!! Early in the morning getting a call from my friend Balli was a pleasant surprise as well as a good start to the DAY.

Guidelines - Protecting against Terrorism

Security Service releases top ten security guidelines for Protecting Against Terrorism ( courtesy Securitypark)

The Security Service, in partnership with Home Office and Cabinet Office, have updated existing protective security guidance for organisations with a duty of care for others. This guidance, entitled 'Protecting Against Terrorism' has been published in response to requests from businesses to have a hard copy version of the guidance on the website. The following top ten protective security points summarise the guidance given in this booklet. Whether you are creating, reviewing, or updating your security plans, keep these key points in mind:

1 Carry out a risk assessment to decide on the threats you might be facing and their likelihood. Identify your vulnerabilities.

2 If acquiring or extending premises, consider security at the planning stage. It will be cheaper and more effective than adding measures later.

3 Make security awareness part of your organisation’s culture and ensure security is represented at a senior level.

4 Ensure good basic housekeeping throughout your premises. Keep public areas tidy and well-lit, remove unnecessary furniture and keep garden areas clear.

5 Keep access points to a minimum and issue staff and visitors with passes. Where possible, do not allow unauthorised vehicles close to your building.

6 Install appropriate physical measures such as locks, alarms, CCTV surveillance and lighting.

7 Examine your mail-handling procedures, consider establishing a mailroom away from your main premises.

8 When recruiting staff or hiring contractors, check identities and follow up references.

9 Consider how best to protect your information and take proper IT security precautions. Examine your methods for disposing of confidential waste.

10 Plan and test your business continuity plans, ensuring that you can continue to function without access to your main premises and IT systems.

Welcoming the publication of Protecting Against Terrorism, Home Office Minister Hazel Blears said: "Government and business need to work in partnership to ensure that emergencies are avoided, and when they do happen we are well prepared to deal with the consequences. We know that protective security works. It is important for all businesses and organisations to plan for unforeseen events in order to deter potential attackers and mitigate the effects of attacks when they happen. This includes having an up to date business continuity plan that should ensure that staff are prepared and that the essential functions of business can survive a terrorist incident, natural disaster, or other disruption."

Congrats to Guys of the Silver Jubilee Course

Hi Guys,

People from SS 25 Course have completed 28 years of service today. Heartiest congrats to all the guys from the silver jubilee course of OTS (now OTA). In the Bank too we have a few gentlemen from this course viz : Capt Sharad Sharma, Capt Tapan Chakravorty, Capt Sudarshan Kumar, Capt B.S.Jaswal, Capt Rajeev Kumar , Capt Devinder Sharma, Capt Rajaram P. and of course yours truly. A grand get-together has been organised today at New Delhi by Colonel K.S.Rana who is commanding the 124 TA Bn at the National Stadium. A lot of our course mates are serving as Brigadiers. Those who are not in the Army are also doing very well ( I am not sure whether we fall into this category or not !!). Silver shorties have their own website too ; www.ots25.com Well here's wishing more glory to all of them.

Joining Report

Hi Folks,

I reported back for duty on 13th March after a month long sojourn at the "Queen of Hills"- Mussoorie. The journey from cool climes to the heat and dust of Delhi and then to the temperate atmosphere at Bangalore was marred by another nightmarish experience courtesy "Air Dhakkan" (yet again). The flight which was scheduled to take off at 1840 hrs on 12th March kept getting delayed (in instalments !!) and ultimately took off at 2345 hrs. Consequently I was stuck at the airport for more than six hours and reached Bangalore at the ungodly hour of 0300 hrs on 13th March. Never again am I going anywhere near the CHEAPEST airline (in every sense of the word) in future. Since joining back on duty - the tail has been on fire thus the delay. Sorry guys !!!