World Class Security Management Training in India !!

The ARC Training International Academy for Security Management which is UK's leading International Provider of Accredited Security Management Training Programmes will be conducting two modules of their most popular and sought after training programme in India for the first time. Details are as follows :

The ARC Training International Academy for Security Management will be conducting two university-accredited Security Management Stage 1 Courses in Gurgaon, India, in the coming weeks. The first course takes place 25 August – 5 September, and the second takes place 22 September – 3 October. This is a unique opportunity to study In India with this world-famous institution for the first time.

The courses have been attended by hundreds of security managers worldwide and are seen as a benchmark security management professional development milestone by many of the world’s largest multinational companies.

The course syllabus includes: security risk management; security operations management; physical and electronic security; integrating and specifying security technology; access management; developments in CCTV, workplace crime prevention; manpower selection and leadership; introduction to security surveying; protection against explosive devices; information security; transport security; protection of as-risk personnel; crisis management and corporate social responsibility.

For further information and to enquire about reserving a place, contact Janet Ward. (embedded link janetward@arc-tc.com).

PS. The said programme was earlier known as 'Security Management & Asset Protection' when I attended it from 13 - 24 May 2002. I strongly recommend this programme for beginners as well as experienced Security professionals owing to its comprehensive course content. So go ahead and dont miss this opportunity - contact Janet at the given link asap !!

Serial Bomb Blasts in Bangalore ....and Ahmedabad !!

1. Yesterday (Friday the 25th July) a series of bomb blasts shook Bangalore out of it's stupor. Eight low intensity Improvised Explosive Devices went off between 1.15 PM to 1.45 PM at different parts of the city. I got a call from one of our senior officers at around 2.00 PM asking me to verify this news. I got in touch with the Police authorities who confirmed the news but were reluctant/unable to give the details. Soon afterwards there was near pandemonium in the office as people started getting various distorted versions of the incident(s) from friends, family members and anxious well-wishers. A lot of members of the staff approached me with such stories. Everyone was glued to the telephone/cellphone and the common refrain was that they wanted to go home.

2. Having verified the facts (as much was possible) an announcement was made over the PA system informing everyone that there was no need to panic and due measures were being taken to step up the security measures in the office as well as the residential colonies. This had the desired effect and folks settled down in their respective work areas in due course. At one point of time even the telephone lines got jammed and no communication was possible. All the armed guard posts were doubled, the wicket gate locked and vigil stepped up in addition to the usual access controls. Besides taking some other precautions, demonstrative tightening of measures was achieved by having the armed guards patrol the premises and the outer periphery of the Bank. I got a call at 6.00 PM that there was another blast near Mysore Road (such was the extent of misinformation). The picture only became clear at night when all the news channels got their act together.

3. Today morning we heard that a bomb had been detected near a shopping mall and had been defused by the BDS. This was the 9th bomb which was fortunately detected and defused before it could go off. Then in the evening we heard that there were eight bomb blasts in Ahmedabad and that many people had been killed/injured. These were also low intensity blasts but happened in crowded places. Four theories are doing the rounds regarding the Bangalore bomb blasts. The first is that this was the handiwork of terrorists/jehadi outfits. The second that it was a retaliatory action in connection with the desecration of a mosque two weeks ago by some local elements. The third theory was that these blasts were somehow politically motivated and the fourth that these blasts were a dry run for something bigger in the offing.

4. Finding the reason behind these blasts is not as important as creating an atmosphere of security in the minds of the public at large at this point of time. Awareness campaigns, intensive patrolling by security forces (both public and private), stepping up of security measures at entry/exit points, strengthening of security at vital installations, surveillance and under cover operations by the state police and intelligence authorities will go a long way in containing this menace. There is an urgent need to develop a 'security culture' in the general public so as to thwart the evil designs of perpetrators of such activities.

Lungar Gupp XXXXV

1. "Perquisites" - यह दिल मांगे More !! On Monday (21 July) the whole office was abuzz with news of impending perks which were to be announced by the Central Office. Besides the five Circulars issued that day, rumours were rife that the Petrol limit and Central Banking Allowance would be also hiked. But in this case rumours remained just rumours. Alas !

2. Giving More 'Teeth' to Security. I came to know today that one of the newbies about to join the cadre (one of the 17 new Security Officers just selected) happens to be a dentist. This is no joke ! So it may be a case of giving more teeth to Security or conversely "अपने दांत झढ़वाने लिए तैयार हो जाओ ". (No offence meant to the lady in question!!)

3. Career Progression. It is understood that there is little or no progress in the case regarding increase of AGMs posts in our cadre. Last heard, even the minutes of the meeting have not yet been prepared. However, our friends at Mumbai are still hopeful that interviews may be held within the next 2-3 months. Good luck to the veterans and freshers in the race !!

4. Postings - Blessings in Disguise ! I know of at least four guys who are singing a different tune today regarding the topic. Earlier they were singing (nay, whining) about their misfortune on having been posted to 'so-and-so' centre but after just a couple of months their tunes have changed. Just goes to show that we should not form an opinion about a place on hearsay. (Now dont say "look who is talking" !!)

Classic Proverbs !!

Some time back I got a hilarious mail forward which I want to share with all the readers of my blog :
A 1st grade school teacher had twenty-five students in her class. She presented each child in her classroom the 1st half of a well-known proverb and asked them to come up with the remainder of the proverb. It's hard to believe these were actually done by first graders. Their insight may surprise you. While reading, keep in mind that these are first-graders, 6-year-olds, because the last one is a classic!
1. Don't change horses - until they stop running.
2. Strike while the - bug is close.
3. It's always darkest before - Daylight Saving Time.
4. Never underestimate the power of - termites.
5. You can lead a horse to water but - How?
6. Don't bite the hand that - looks dirty.
7. No news is - impossible.
8. A miss is as good as a - Mr.
9. You can't teach an old dog new - Math.
10. If you lie down with dogs, you'll - stink in the morning.
11. Love all, trust - Me.
12. The pen is mightier than the - pigs.
13. An idle mind is - the best way to relax .
14. Where there's smoke there's - pollution.
15. Happy the bride who - gets all the presents.
16. A penny saved is - not much.
17. Two's company, three's - the Musketeers.
18. Don't put off till tomorrow what - you put on to go to bed.
19. Laugh and the whole world laughs with you, cry and - You have to blow your nose.
20. There are none so blind as - Stevie Wonder.
21. Children should be seen and not - spanked or grounded.
22. If at first you don't succeed - get new batteries.
23. When the blind lead the blind - get out of the way.
24. A bird in the hand - is going to poop on you.
And the WINNER and last one!
25. Better late than - Pregnant.

Sam Bahadur - Even Pakistan Feels he Deserved Better

After a spate of discussions and criticism from all and sundry in the media on the shoddy treatment meted out to greatest soldier India has produced, I was surprised to get a mail from one of my 'fauji' friends who has sent me a link to an article published in a Pakistani periodical - a tribute to the late Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw. It is worth reading and the link is :

http://www.dawn.com/weekly/cowas/20080607.htm

Just click on the link to read the article !!

Brahma Kamal - Season 2

This post is related to an earlier one titled 'Night Blooming Cereus - Ornamental Flower' dated 27 June 2007. Well, this year we were lucky to have many of these flowers which bloomed for exactly one night at a time between 25th and 30th June 2008. Watching these flowers bloom for one night and then wither away was surely a wonderous sight. For details please refer to the earleir post mentioned above.

Lungar Gupp XXXXIV

1. Resignations Galore. The month of June saw three Security Officers calling it quits for various reasons - transfer blues, lien not being granted and pure harassment !! As there is no dearth of good jobs in Security Management these days, I am sure these people will be happy with their decisions. No idea if alarm bells are ringing in the right quarters or not !!

2. No Lien for Security Officers. As usual the rumour proved right ! It is understood that Security Officers will NOT be granted lien anymore. Lucky for those who managed to get it earlier - tough luck now !! Wonder what Neeraj (who is happy to be in Kanpur, by the way) will do next ?

3. Out of the Frying Pan......! One bloke who is very happy to be in Bangalore is Capt Arvind Sharma. His state of mind is understandable considering the harrowing time he has had at Jammu. And I cannot say "...into the fire" as happy days about to dawn here too (in about four months time). I hope that is not wishful thinking.

National Training Programme on Disaster Management for Senior Officers of Reserve Bank of India

Yes, believe it or not, that was the title of the first training programme conducted by the Disaster Management Institute, Bhopal for Security Managers of RBI from 24 to 27 June 2008. Around 20 of our colleagues attended the said programme which to all accounts was taken well by everyone. Equally satisfying (heard so !) were the 'extra-curricular' activities which also formed part of the package. The reading and reference material CD provided by DMI is quite comprehensive and contains a lot of useful data, case studies, presentations and exercises.

It is understood that four such programmes were envisaged so that all the Security Officers get exposed to DM training. The next programme may become a reality only in August owing to logistics and coordination problems.

PS. Next time a 'short and sweet' title please !!

Asia Crisis and Security Group (ACSG) Meeting

I had the opportunity to attend the ACSG Bangalore Meeting which was held yesterday (19 June 2008) at the offices of JP Morgan. I could attend this meeting thanks to an invitation from a friend who is a member of the group. Log on to http://acsgroup.org/ to know more about the ACSG.
The event was scheduled in the afternoon followed by drinks and dinner. Three presentations/discussions were held which covered BPO security best practices, a talk on terrorism and local crime overview and an overview of 'Project Sahyog' which is the Mumbai version of Police-Private sector cooperation.
This event also provided an opportunity for me to meet and interact with security professionals from the BPO industry and MNCs. Some senior and well known luminaries in the security fraternity were also present. I met a lot of people with whom I was already acquainted and one of them was Ratnakar Bade from Nokia. It seems he is having a good time at Nokia (judging by his girth and jowls !!). Well he was spouting a whole lot of 'new' jargon and also gave me some 'gyan' regarding taking tips on how to prepare for transition from public to private sector. On being told that I would do the needful when I get a call from some organization he quoted a proverb in Hindi " जब प्यास लगेगी तब कुआँ खोदोगे क्या ?" Point taken Ratnakar - will do the needful !!

Lungar Gupp XXXXIII

1. Career Progression. It is reliably learnt that five posts of AGMs have been increased in our cadre. Whether the total number of AGMs will be 9 (as was the position in 2004) or 10 (as the number increased suggests) remains to be seen. In any case we will soon be having either 4 or 5 spanking new AGMs (albiet a bit old and rusty !). The race will also be interesting with a total of 12 or 13 guys lining up for the scratch (six old horses included)

2. Lien Related Woes. It is rumoured that officers will no longer be granted lien by the Bank. This is real bad news for some guys who had landed good jobs in the private sector. This, however, is not confirmed news. I will not be surprised if this holds true in case of Neeraj as his recommendation from this place was negative.

3. Voluntary Retirement. At long last (after 5 months) I have got the Bank's response to my query regarding seeking premature retirement under Staff Regulation 26 (3) - i.e. on attaining the age of 50 years. We are entitled to counting of past military service as well as the notional benefit of 5 years in case we plan to throw the towel into the ring.