Dear Reader
It is with a heavy heart that I greet you this month, as the end of the month has been rather sad, with SECURITY TODAY losing one of its valued advisors and I, personally, losing a long-time Friend, Thinker, Philosopher and Guide, Mr. RK Shukla, IPS (Retd.), who was not only my friend but a friend of the entire private security industry.
I came in contact with Mr. RK Shukla probably 20 years ago, when he served with the Central Industrial Security Force in New Delhi, and when I was actively involved in supporting the annual security exhibition that CISF co-organises at PragatiMaidan, New Delhi, every year. Having worked with him on these events for many years, I found him to be very open to new ideas and pragmatic in his actions. He was approachable and had no airs about him. He had a keen interest in learning about the latest in security technology, and always used to ask me what was new, whenever I met him.
After having served in the North Eastern region of India, he returned back again to New Delhi and worked with the National Security Council (NSC) of India, which is an executive government agency tasked with advising the Prime Minister’s office on matters of national security and strategic interest. He officially retired from the government as the Additional Director General of the SashastraSeema Bal. His insatiable desire to always learn and do more and his strategic thinking ability was leveraged by the Oil and Natural Gas Commission (ONGC), where he served as the Global Security Advisor till recently.
The private security industry kept interacting with Mr. Shukla at most exhibitions and seminars, where he made it a point to be present. He was the Chief Guest at the ASIS International CSO Roundtable event in New Delhi in 2014 and earlier we saw him give away the SECURITY TODAY National Security Awards for us in 2007. A soft spoken gentle soul, who will always be remembered for his spontaneity in helping anybody who came to him seeking assistance. Rest in peace, my friend.
Every year, 14th April is observed as Fire Service Day in India to pay homage to those brave Fire Fighters, who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.
This year fire fighters across India have been extremely busy as there has been a nearly 50 per cent rise in the number of calls to the Fire Services. The unprecedented rise in the number of fires has included those at high-rises, bushfires, some caused by cylinder explosions and one that raged at the National Museum of Natural History in New Delhi. Fire fighters are dealing with this surge in calls even as the department grapples with the shortage of manpower and infrastructure.
A recent draft report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has found several shortcomings, including staff shortage, in the functioning of Delhi Fire Services. This is not the first time CAG has pointed this out. It had also noted this in its reports in 2001, 2004 and 2010. In the draft report, the CAG has noted 42.61 per cent overall shortage of staff and 43.37 per cent shortage in operational staff. The CAG has also noted shortage of upgraded equipment, and lack of refresher courses or specialised training for staff.
Shortage of funds for purchase of new equipment is one thing, but not maintaining the existing equipment is unpardonable. Reportedly, during a CAG inspection it was also found that of the six Sky Lifts with the Delhi Fire Services, four were out of order and all six turn-table ladders were found non-functional, the two super snorkels were also lying defunct. We must learn to maintain the systems that we have purchased, with the responsibility clearly resting on a few shortlisted individuals.
Till we meet next month,
G B Singh
Email: editor@securitytoday.in
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