rights based development vis-a-vis security

i read a fair bit about public policies, the loopholes in the implementation and execution of them and the likes, over the past few weeks. one of the approaches to the formulation of public policies is rights based development; which essentially means you need to politicize the policy formulation and implementation as opposed to the depoliticized approach. fair enough. if it takes that to ensure sound policies and thereby a well rounded nation, then so be it. so that took me back to class 6 civics lessons where we learnt that there are 7 fundamental rights. add to those, the right to education, and we have 8 rights and therefore 8 potential lodestars for development. it's funny why despite all the terror we have seen over the years, the right to security isn't a fundamental right in india. legalizing would definitely bring in accountability, and then hopefully, some practical policies to give shape to our fight against terror. thoughts, anyone?

reflecting...

I happened to see "A Wednesday" on Sunday. It is one of those movies that I can watch again and again and not get bored (another one is Shawshank Redemption, but that's another story and I shall not digress, especially not on such a serious blog as this).

So coming back to A Wednesday... the character played by Naseeruddin Shah is so resolved and purposeful in his intention to do his bit to put an end to a menace that is very aptly compared to a pest infestation in a house. I wonder if there are some of us out there, who feel just like he does. Maybe we can't plant counter bombs at terrorist hideouts or plan the elaborate kind of thing that's shown in the movie, but we certainly could do something...I'm sure we could, I just don't know how and what. The more I think about the trifles we bother ourselves with, the more I feel anxious and at a loss to understand why our own safety (if that sounds selfish, so be it; but truth be said, something has to spur this nation of millions into action) is not of primary importance to all of us.

Gross negligence

The other day, we went to a mall in Bangalore. Until about a month ago, the security personnel there were very meticulous in their checks. However, this time around they had thrown all caution to the winds (as usual). There was no check of the car dicky. I asked him, "Bhaiyya, dicky check nahi karenge?" and he blinked for a few seconds, then went to ask his boss, came back and said, "nahi madam".

This is really pathetic. When will we ever learn?

Some self defense tips

The HR at our firm organised a session on self defense tactics the other day. Here are some highlights from the session:

1. If you are ever caught in a terror attack in the open (like it happened in delhi), try and get down into a gutter (though you may smell horrible after that, atleast you will be alive!)

2. If you are caught in the midst of gunfire, get down on all fours; then try and find a pillar behind which you could hide.

3. In a hostage situation, never ever engage in conversation with the hostage takers.

4. In a situation like the one at Taj, try and get as close to windows leading out of the building as possible; it becomes easier for search and rescue teams. To be on the safer side, crouch below the windows.

5. As soon as you perceive a threat in the form of a terror attack, put your cellphone in vibration mode; message someone you know of your location.

And the biggest thing in all such situations -- DO NOT PANIC!!!

The e-mail campaign.

I've sent e-mails to the Ministry for Information and Broadcasting, DoorDarshan, and to someone at the ETV network; in all cases, I've requested them to broadcast short messages on how to protect oneself and one's community from terror attacks and on general safety and preventive measures.

I haven't heard back from any of the parties...let's see what happens. Shall keep everyone posted on that front.

Very useful links, have a dekko!

Atlast i've found what I was looking for; some comprehensive information about how to protect one's community, and it comes direct from the horse's mouth so to say. Check out these links, they should be useful for all Bangaloreans:
http://www.bcp.gov.in/english/crimeprevention/community.html
http://www.bcp.gov.in/english/index.htm

And this one, courtesy AP police, has links to websites of police departments across the country:
http://www.apstatepolice.org/OurCounterparts/OurCounterparts.htm

Do take time to go through the relevant links and please spread the message. Remember, it is the (computer) literate like us that can spread awareness among the ones that cannot browse these websites.

Knee jerk reactions galore...

My cousin pointed out something very weird about the security scene in Bangalore these days. She told me that post 26/11, security has been tightened at the major hotels in Bangalore; alas, that is not the case at other places (certainly not at Manyata tech park). On the first morning after the attack, they increased security checks rampantly (only at the building lobbies--read my first post for the gory details); however, since last monday history has chosen to repeat itself.

These are typical knee jerk reactions to keep the general public at bay! (much like giving a crying child a candy to keep him quiet). What can we do to show our "leaders" and the concerned authorities that we are aware of the sham?

Ideas anyone?