IISSM-2008: A Goanese Cuisine

‘A great Seminar!’ ‘An unforgettable experience!’ – are some of the expressions culled from the feedback reports received at the Open Feedback session before the valedictory function on November 14, 2008, of the XVIII Annual International Seminar of the IISSM at Hotel Cidade de Goa on Vainguinim Beach of Goa. With over 200 participants, IISSM-2008 scaled an unprecedented height in more than one way. It was for the first time that a State Chamber of Commerce and a State Security Association were partners with the IISSM in organising such an event at international level relating to industrial security! Additionally, there was the flavour of Goanese cuisine in almost every aspect, ending up with a unique Certificate of Participation in wood-carving and an equally beautiful memento to all who had joined this event. And, how did you carry your Conference material - in a specially manufactured jute-bag! These ‘small’ things led a senior participant to exclaim: “It was a wonderful experience for a first-time participant like me. Quality and volume of inputs were excellent. I am feeling enriched and would love to participate in future Seminars. Grateful to the organisers who worked relentlessly and did a wonderful job!” Let this, however, be also known that, as before, there was also a large group (55) of ‘repeaters’ this year too once again proving the adage that IISSM Seminars were virtual reunions of professionals that becomes addictive!

Rhetoric’s apart! “I agree with you that convergence, which is the basic focus of the Seminar, is the quintessential need of the hour,” so said His Excellency the Governor of Goa Dr. S.S. Sidhu in his scintillating and erudite address while inaugurating the Seminar in the morning of November 12, 2008. He set the tone for the deliberations for the next three days, when he observed, “There is, no doubt, that intensive theoretical knowledge and rigorous practical training are necessary for our security personnel to prevent lapses and human errors so as to thwart the evil designs of anti-social elements.” He was also “of the view that in our rapidly changing contemporary security scenario, the security and loss prevention industry should become both techno-savvy and infotech-savvy, with strong focus on multi-dimensional approach so that it can keep pace with the future needs, with efficiency and élan.” A typically pragmatic guideline from him was: “I would like to underline that, howsoever efficient and updated the technology and systems may be, unless the man behind them are vigilant, well-trained, motivated and dedicated to their duties, the quality of performance will not be of requisite standard, and thus the need for special focus on human resource development and manpower training.” While deeply acknowledging his advice, IISSM remains beholden to His Excellency for his clear assessment, “I am particularly glad to learn that the Institute of Security and Safety Management, with humble beginnings in 1991, has today emerged as a vibrant think-tank for critical assessment, analysis and evaluation of the entire gamut of industrial safety and security issues, in consonance with the contemporary security scenario in the country and the globe.”

It was also a matter of great privilege that IISSM had the benefit of having Mr. Francisco Cosme Sardinha, former Chief Minister of Goa and now a sitting Member of Parliament, as the Chief Guest at the Valedictory session on November 14, 2008. All in the IISSM are deeply grateful to Mr. Sardinha for responding to our request at the shortest possible notice. In the background of “new and unseen dimension due to deteriorating internal and external security scenario,” he averred, “it is imperative to have seminars like this where ideas can be exchanged and we can come out with innovative ideas to equip our agencies and institutions dealing with security with latest trends and also equipment to fight the evil designs of anti-social elements who want to destroy the peace, tranquility and happiness of our society.” Referring to the need for early implementation of the provisions of the Central Rules under the Private Security Agencies (Regulations) Act, 2005, recently adopted by the Government of Goa, he observed, “The government may also direct the private security agencies to submit their applications through the Security Association of Goa to ascertain that they are genuine. On the other hand, the Association should ensure that the security personnel are properly trained and equipped and are more professional in their approach, and for that the Association should have a Central Training Institute, if possible.”

While the Security Association of Goa, we are sure, will like to follow up the guidelines above, the delegates did indulge in free exchange of thoughts during the course of interaction both with the expert faculties and the fellow professionals coming from all over. Despite severe time-constrain in the Seminar of this type, many responded to the question (No.3 in the feedback report) “What did you like in the Seminar?” “Frank discussions. The open and free exchange of ideas across diverse topics,” repeating that they “would like to come for IISSM-2009.”

The business sessions of the Seminar were preceded by briefing by the acting Inspector General of Police from the Goa Police on the prevailing security scenario, with special reference to Goa. Then followed a presentation on “Management Perspective on the Need for Changes in Security Industry” from the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry. An interesting Panel discussion was on “Fraud Prevention in Banking Industry: Scope for Convergence” in which two bankers from the Reserve Bank of India and the State Bank of Indian initiated the discussion. Individual presentations that had really carried the audience included:

1. Changing Face of the Indian State of Security and its Future Impact on Businesses - Speaker: Capt. (Retd.) Raghu Raman, CEO, Mahindra Special Services Group, Mumbai, India.
2. A Fundamentalist Approach – Convergence of Security and Loss Prevention - Speaker: Capt. (Retd.) Percy H. Jokhi, Head Security and Vigilance, Firstsource Solutions Limited, Mumbai, India.
3. Six Sigma in Security Services - Speaker: Mr. Ravi Kapur, Director, ACE Detectives, New Delhi, India.
4. Cyber Security: Checking the Losses from Cyber Crimes - Speaker: Mr. Subimal Bhattacharjee, Country Head, India, General Dynamics International Corporation, New Delhi, India.
5. Need for Technological Convergence - Speaker: Mr. G.B. Singh¸ Editor, Security Today Magazine, Gurgaon, India.
6. Security Convergence – Physical and Information - Presented by: Mr. Arindam Bose, Chairman, Maitlamo A Tswelelopele (Pty) Ltd, Botswana & Research Advisor, Cyber Media, India.
7. Designing CCTV System for Security and Loss Prevention - Speaker: Mr. Jayant Kapatker, CEO, STAM Multimedia Inc., USA.
8. Systems Assessment and Integration for Rational Security Programs - Speaker: Col. (Ret.) Kay Kimura, Consultant and Lecturer, Homeland Security, USA.

And, of course, there was the inimitable management guru Prof. Sharu Rangnekar talking on: “Convergence: A Forthcoming Necessity”. The participants had also the benefit of Singapore Experience where Mr. T. Mogan, President, Security Association of Singapore, spoke on: “Manpower and Systems: The Singapore Experience.”

A distinctive feature of IISSM-2008 that should gladden the hearts of all organisers was the fact the average presence in all sessions of the Seminar covering diverse subjects was very high all through. Kudos to both the learned speakers and the learning group of participants!

Apart from having seasoned professionals, the Seminar this year had the benefit of a team of learned academicians from IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open University) joining as moderators.

While thanking the learned faculties for their joining us and sharing their expertise with the participants, IISSM will also like to sincerely thank the moderators for their role in conducting the scheduled sessions smoothly. We in the IISSM will fail miserably if we do not bow our heads to the participants for their sustained interest in the proceedings. To make the account self-contained, attached is a copy of the schedule followed in IISSM-2008.

Statistically speaking, there were over 100 plus delegates from field of private security agencies, 26 from the banking and other financial institutions, 23 from the private sector industries and 16 from the public sector. Nine delegates were from the government offices. The States and Union Territories represented were: Assam, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, UP, Haryana, New Delhi, Kerala, Goa, Karnataka, Punjab, Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra. The NCR region had 31, the city of the Mumbai had sent 36 delegates and 24 were from Goa. The overseas representatives had come from US, South Africa, Malaysia, Singapore and Kuwait.

A great failure was IISSM’s inability to provide for sightseeing for the participants who had come from far and wide areas ‘also’ for ‘Goa Darshan’, as some one has put it. Our sincere apology on that count. Nevertheless, some delegates did take advantage of sightseeing trips of spouses – an act of great bravery indeed! Although not by way offering any excuse, this lapse was possibly to an extent neutralised by the fabulous evening show of November 13, 2008. The ‘Gala Dinner’ this year organised practically on the sea beach was rated the best ever by many. The typical Goanese dance and cuisine were aptly followed by the special African show of unbelievable acrobatics. It was no wonder, therefore, that many were not pleased that the ‘happy hours’ ended before midnight.

Then, the ‘Award Ceremony’ the same evening. One had to see the joy in the face of the Award Winners when called to receive their trophies. Let such joy and smile return to many more in years after years. An additional Award instituted this year was the “Best Delegate of the Year (Nath Challenge Cup),” an award, not based on records but on actual field performance during the days of the Seminar. There were apparent efforts during the course of the Seminar to attract attention on this score! That was what IISSM looked forward to. But the selectors’ choice was unanimous. The Best delegate of the year was: “Capt. (Retd.) A.G. Bagaitkar, Sr. Manager (Security), Bank of India, Pune.” The full list of Awardees is as below:

It will be only in the fitness of things that IISSM pays its respects to the senior professionals in the Awards Committee for their cooperation.

   

   

Besides the Annual Awards, IISSM had thought it fit and appropriate to acknowledge the extraordinary services and contribution of the dedicated lot of professionals in Goa by conferring Special Awards on them. They are:

• Mr. Nicholas D’Souza
• Mr. Rommel D’Souza
• Mr. Gurcharan Singh Chauhan
• Mr. Antonio Fernandes
• Mr. Ronald Pinto
• Mr. Stanley N.J.
• Mr. G.S. De Souza

Then, there were Awards of Recognition for:

• Mr. N.S. Dessai
• Mr. W.I. Fernandes
• Mr. James T. Edatt

Keeping up its tradition to honour veterans in security industry, IISSM honoured itself by conferring Special Felicitation Awards on the following:

• Capt. (Retd.) P.R. Menon, President, Association of Investigators and Security Organisations in India, Mumbai.
• Mr. B.G. Deopujari, Chairman, Secure India, Nagpur.
• Mr. S.J. Grogan, President, SJG Enterprises, USA.

No account of IISSM-2008 will be complete without IISSM formally expressing its gratitude to the friends in the Security Association of Goa / Goa Chapter of IISSM as also in the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Spontaneous gesture of the SAG / Goa Chapter to hold the Seminar in Goa and their unstinted support and enthusiasm till the end were the primary reason for the success of what we would like to describe as the “Goa Story”. The dynamic President of GCCI, Mr. Nitin Kunkolienker really acted as the friend, philosopher and guide in many respects. Air Cmdr. (Retd.) P.K. Pinto was by his side all through.

Let it be added in the footnote. The Board of Governors thought of IISSM-2009 taking place in December 2009 in the week commencing December 7. Should you wish, you may like to block your calendar accordingly. The venue will be duly announced. Are you looking forward to going back to Delhi?

IISSM-2008: Feedback Messages

The seminar was very well organised, well conducted ,very well managed. Earlier the field of security was considered to be subsidiary department or allied one but the efforts taken by IISSM will change the look of the corporates & Govt. bodies towards Security. - Capt D K Patil, Reserve Bank of India, Ahmedabad.

It was indeed a pleasure to have been with you all in GOA attending the IISSM function. I attended it first time. It was a good show. Congratulations! - Major (Retd) Parwez Husain, Manager (Security & Administration), Indogulf Fertilisers , Sultanpur, UP

I would wish to convey to you my deep felt appreciation at the excellent conduct of the recently concluded seminar in Goa. The response from the audience and participants alike was overwhelming. I was heart and soul enthused and thoroughly enjoyed every moment. – Ms. Monica Amarnath, Managing Director, Black Berrets's Twin City Enterprises, Mumbai

It was a grand success of the seminar at Goa from 12/11/08 to 14/11/08. throughout the days of the seminar and experts deliberations which have helped us keep ourselves with day to day advance in technology on security and safety. - S.M.Wadekar, Managing Director, Securafence Security Pvt. Ltd. Pune.

Thank you very much for having organized and imparted a professional Seminar on ‘Security and Loss Prevention Industry: Convergence- a necessity’ at Goa. The theme of the conference was aptly chosen with a good range of good speakers/ presenters and excellent/ energetic compeering by Mr. Nath. The overall time management was flawless throughout the seminar. - Rathin Kumar Banerjee, President-New Ventures, Zicom Electronic Security Systems Ltd., Mumbai.

Thank you for inviting me to speak at the IISSM event in Goa last week. It was wonderful being with you all. The audience was a quality one and all your arrangements were fantastic. - Subimal Bhattacharjee, Country Head, General Dynamics International Corporation, New Delhi.

Attended for the first time. It is a strong forum for strengthening Private Security Sector which will have an impact – V.N. Deshkukh, Former DGP, Mumbai.

I have been attending IISSM seminars for eight years and I am pleased to see the number of delegates growing by the year. This is encouraging for IISSM as it aspires to professionalise the security industry in India. - Professor Kris Pillay – Director, School of Criminal Justice, College of Law, UNISA, South Africa.

I wish to thank all those who worked on this Seminar. Their fine efforts deserve praise. - Col. (Retd.) James L Fowler, Attorney at Law JD, MBA. CPP, formerly of Unilever United States, USA.

It was a wonderful experience for a first time participant like me. Quality and volume of inputs were excellent. I am feeling enriched and would like to participate in future seminars. Grateful to the organisers who worked relentlessly and did a wonderful job. - Commodore Jageshwar Chaudhary, VSM (Retd.)General Manager, SDB CISCO (India) Ltd, Mumbai.

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