ONE YEAR OF BLOGGING

Hi Folks,
Today is the start of the the second year of this blog. I know many of my friends are viewing this blog but sadly no comments are forthcoming. On reason may be the fact that one has to become a member of Blogger to be able to post a comment. I had once allowed comments from everyone on this blog and had a tough time deleting the deluge of spam it attracted. Sustaining "one-way-traffic" in communication tends to get boring. I am contemplating winding up the whole thing. So guys, dont be surprised if I do just that one fine day!!!
Bisht

Trip to Thirumala

Hi Guys,

I have just returned, with family, to Bangalore after a trip to the abode of Lord Balaji which is situated in Thirumala (24 kms from the town of Tirupati). I am sure that this trip will remain etched in our memory for a long time to come. The sea of humanity which turns up in hordes day after day to get a glimpse of the revered diety, the sylvan surroundings of the temple, the amazing energy level around the sanctum-sanctorum and the meticulous arrangements for crowd/queue control are some of the features which are unique to this famous temple. However, what made our trip even more rewarding was the excellent itinerary and arrangements provided by Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation. Travel to and fro in AC Volvo coach, stay arrangement at Tirupati and visit to two other famous temples in addition to Thirumala were the highlights of the trip. APTDC provides a guide who fills one in on the history part as well, where required. These guys are sticklers for timings and did not default even once during the whole trip. The cost of 1100 bucks per person (ex Chennai) was well worth it. I got the idea for this while going through a writeup on the net. For those of you who are game for a similiar trip, it may be worthwhile to check APTDC out for a hassle free outing.

Executive Protection Tips

Share these points, collected from security executives and former Secret Service agents, with colleagues who are looking to start an executive protection program or beef up their current one.
KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE. Analyze which people are critical to your organization. Have any of these people been subject to threats? In what situations are they most vulnerable? Do they keep a low profile or court media attention? Is it easy for outsiders to gain information about them and their families? Answers to these questions help determine if you need a little caution or a full-time security detail. Also remember: The answers can change over time.
BRAINS BEFORE BRAWN. Research and preparation aimed at identifying potential threats and contingency plans supersedes the need for big bouncerlike bodyguards. Executive protection professionals receive training in skills such as defensive driving, emergency medical response and physical fitness. They know how to prepare for important events ahead of time and counter threats. And they act and dress like their protection subjects.
ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE. Some protected executives bristle at what they see as restrictions on their movement, or the extra burden of security measures. Veteran practitioners suggest pointing out that the advance work required to keep them safe also reduces their time spent waiting in airports or stuck in traffic jams.
DON’T FORGET THE KIDS. The families of protected executives, if the executive is high profile or the subject of a threat, may need coverage. They may be more vulnerable, in fact, than the executive ensconced in a corporate setting.
MAKE LOTS OF FRIENDS. Reliable information is what makes prevention possible. It pays to work closely with fellow security professionals as well as executive assistants, hotel staff and event organizers. Ask them to help you assess risks at settings that are unfamiliar to you. And don’t hesitate to share info when they call you.