The End of 'अज्ञातवास' !

I had thought of various titles for this post viz : 'Breaking News', 'Arvind Resurfaces', and 'Guests in Oman' but ultimately settled for the one as given above as it seemed the most appropriate. 'अज्ञातवास' means 'exile' (whether forced or self imposed). Well, coming down to the story, I was pleasantly surprised when I got a mail from Capt Arvind Sharma some time back informing me that he and his better half would be visiting Oman around the end of the current month. They arrived on 26 Nov (evening) and I was very excited as they happened to be the first 'guests' I would be playing host to in Oman (Seetu's absence, which was sorely missed, notwithstanding !). We spent half the night exchanging notes catching up on lost time.

Secondly, the whereabouts of Arvind have been a mystery of sorts to all his friends and colleagues of late. His 'resurfacing', thus, is verily an event in itself. Well, let me be the first to break the news - Arvind is presently based in Bahrain. Bahrain is an island kingdom which is a part of the GCC states and is an hour's flying time from Muscat. He has recently landed a damn good job with the Kanoo group . Congratulations Avind and Bravo !!

Another happy event was that 27th Nov happened to be Arvind's birthday - the day when he completed four decades of his life (40 carats). This occasion was celebrated in my house by the three of us and later Arvind treated us to dinner at an Indian restuarant. Following are some photos of the birthday bash and an outing which we enjoyed today (click on the pics to enlarge).

Arvind and me with the 'spread' - pastries & wine !

Arvind 'scored' one by smearing me with pastry.
(It was 'his' day and I got smeared - not done man)
Now the score was even ! Cheers to those who cheer for us !!

Arvind and me with 'Marina Bandar Al Rowdha'

in the background.

Arvind, Anju and myself at the same spot as above.

Photographed on the way back home. Arvind

seems to be emphasizing some moot point !

Remembering Mumbai Terror Attacks !

On 26th Nov 2009 print and audiovisual media was full of news regarding the subject, which was along expected lines, as an year has passed since that blatant attack which traumatised an entire city for nearly three days. On this occasion my friend and fellow blogger Balli has posted a thought provoking and insightful article titled 'We can bring the Change'. It can be read at www.balvindersingh.blogspot.com

For and in depth and minute by minute account of that episode I recommend all should read 'Sixty Hours of Terror : By the Grace of Allah' by Jason Motlagh. It is a very well researched account of the 60 hours when the city of Mumbai was in panic and the entire nation full of uncertainity and indignation. It is replete with photos and accounts of interviews and interrogations. The article can be read in the Virginia Quarterly Review at http://vqronline.org

Do's and Dont's for Security Personnel

In order to augment the basic training input which the national security guards and watchmen are being exposed to, a list of 'Do's and Dont's' in English and Arabic is being published in a booklet form which will be issued to all the security personnel. This will serve as an aide-de-memoire for the security guards. The most important ones will be depicted pictorally or by caricatures to have a better impact (a picture is worth a thousand words !). These 'Do's and Dont's' are not comprehensive by any means and have been framed keeping in mind the local conditions and practices prevalent here. The said list is as follows :

DO’s
1. Keep this booklet/pamphlet with you while on duty.
2. Always obey and follow the policy of the company/department.
3. Wear your proper uniform.
4. Your uniform should be neat and properly ironed.
5. Your shoes should be neat and polished.
6. Shave daily/keep beard and mustache trimmed.
7. Ensure that you have a proper haircut.
8. Wear ‘Massar’ properly in case uniform is not issued to you.
9. Display your identity card on your person while on duty.
10. Be punctual.
11. Be alert and vigilant.
12. Be polite and courteous.
13. Be enthusiastic.
14. Be respectful to all customers/visitors.
15. Be aware of the Company’s locations.
16. Greet and reply the greetings in a friendly way.
17. Keep yourself healthy and fit.
18. Stay calm with an angry customer.
19. Deal respectfully with lady customers.
20. Know your senior staff.
21. Inform your supervisor/superiors about any unexpected or emergency situation.
22. Ensure secrecy of Company information.
23. Make sure you know your duties/responsibilities at every post.
24. Proper duty handing over should be carried out.
25. Be cooperative and build a good relationship with all.
26. Be available and flexible for any Emergency duty.
27. Do simple stretching exercises every hour while on duty.
28. Keep yourself updated about functional processes and procedures.
29. Maintain your cool while speaking over telephone.
30. Be aware of the vulnerable areas, security threats and emergency exits at your location.
31. Ensure that the premises are secure after business hours.
32. Carry a torch with you for night duty.
33. Keep a list of important telephone numbers with you.
34. Be aware of the actions to be taken in case of any emergency.
35. You should know how to frisk and check visitors if required.
36. Keep an eye on the movement of personnel and vehicles in your area.
37. Be aware of hiding places in vehicles which have to be checked.
38. Carry out regular patrolling of your area of responsibility.
39. Ensure that all security gadgets in your area are working properly.
40. Report any breaches of Security to your superior immediately.
41. Ensure proper key management.
42. Ensure that display vehicles are secured.
43. Barriers to be down/gates to be closed when not in use.
44. Make sure the first aid box is available in your post and is to be used in an emergency.
45. Make sure you know the types of fire extinguishers and how to use them in case of an emergency.
DON’T’s
1. Do not leave your post unless permitted by your supervisor or for patrolling.
2. Do not allow entry to any unauthorized person into the premises without permission.
3. Do not come to work under the influence of liquor/narcotic substances.
4. Do not smoke while on duty.
5. Do not chew gum or tobacco while on duty.
6. Do not sleep on duty.
7. Do not engage in unnecessary conversation while on duty.
8. Do not take leave without permission.
9. Do not argue with or shout at customers.
10. Don’t be busy in secondary matters while on duty.
11. Don’t indulge in rumour mongering.
12. Do not use company property or services for personal gain.
13. Do not entertain your friends/relatives in the guard post.
14. Do not listen to music while on duty.

15. Do not bring your laptop/electronic devices to the work place.

'ANAQA' Training Programme for National Security Guards

We have recently emabarked on an ambitious project - that of training the national security guards and watchmen all over Oman -totalling approximately 450 personnel. These security personnel do not have a military or police background and are thus quite clueless about the basic security principles and practices. All this time they were learning on the job and were being imparted training by visiting security officers off and on at various locations. There was no structured training module which was being delivered uniformally to everyone.

A basic training programme titled 'ANAQA' which, in Arabic, means 'SMART' (which is also an acronym for 'Smile, Morale, Alert, Respect and Turnout' - the basic qualities/requirements of any security guard) has thus been launched which is being conducted every Wednesday for a batch of 15 personnel (attendance of a larger number would hamper the operations). The programme contains inputs on knowledge about the company, expectations from the cadre, legal issues and strictures, how to do one's job effectivey, emphasis on discipline, turnout and attitude, consequences of security lapses and practical demonstrations. It is expected that by June 2010 all the nationals would have been trained in this basic module. The fourth batch was trained yesterday. Following are some photos from the programmes conducted so far.

Inauguration of the Programme.
Demonstration on how to check a vehicle properly.
Proper Checking & Frisking Technique.
A session in the classroom.

The inevitable group photo !

High Speed Joyride !

Recently when I was going on a branch visit I saw a funny sight on the road. It is not uncommon to behold such events in Oman but they are rare on the highways where vehicles are zipping past at speeds in excess of 120 km per hour. Since I was accompanying a colleague who was at the wheel, I got an opportunity to click the following photos. The camels were apparently enjoying the ride as they sat side by side in a snug fit in the Toyota Hylux pickup in front of us, unperturbed at the curios stares of other road users. This is what is called a true blend of tradition with modernity !!

"Whatcha looking at man ?" "C'mon, dont bother about their stares !"