We never thought the New Year's Newsletter will start like this. But, we submit!
The tsunami of December 26, 2004, had shocks and aftershocks. The intensity of the tragedy is underscored by the fact that Nature's warnings were not heard and as some group of scientists have come out enough has not been done to pool together all available knowledge on the subject of foreseeing or forecasting such potential devastations. Indications have, however, appeared in the press that such efforts are now in the offing. One hopes and prays these things do materialize!
Lessons now learnt are many. The tsunami made no distinction between caste or creed, religion or race, country or region. Any number of bodies - be those of Hindus, Christians or Muslims - have been put on the same pyre. Kith and kin have been separated but friends and foes have joined hands at places. How did we security and safety professionals react? Managing disaster is after all our creed. Some amongst us who had not dabbled with the subject will perhaps do well to learn the ABC of it early - if not started already. Reacting differently, we from the IISSM paid our tributes by putting in and exhorting friends to put in an extra hour of work for seven days. Responding to our "Submission" (attached) sent out on January 4, 2005, some friends did inform that they had jumped into the fray unhesitatingly. IISSM feels proud of them. We have received enthusiastic and highly appreciative responses - on email, on telephone, in person - to our appeal. Some of those received on email have been put in the Responses File later in the Newsletter. We bow our heads to them.
D. C. Nath, IPS (Retd.)
Former Special Director, IB (MHA), Govt. of India
Editor-cum-Executive President & CEO
International Institute of Security and Safety Management
New Delhi, India
Dated January 4, 2005
A Submission
Dear Friends,
The magnitude of the devastation caused by the Tsunami of December 26, 2004, is still unfolding. The inner self is urging us to think what all we security and safety professionals can do by way of extending helping hands to the concerned. Governments, voluntary organizations - both at national and international levels - and many others, individually and collectively, are putting in their mite in order to alleviate the sufferings of the victims of this gigantic tragedy cutting across many countries in the world. Different agencies have instituted relief funds or taken up drive for collection of funds and other aid materials. We are certain many amongst you might have already been involved in some of these activities. Indeed, anyone connected with service agencies or institutions like yours and mine cannot sit idle and stay away from involving oneself in the varied relief measures, one way or the other.
Nonetheless, may we from the IISSM platform humbly venture to suggest to all those connected or concerned with IISSM - officials, members or others - that they take a pledge to put in, voluntarily and with love, one extra hour of work daily for a period of seven days hence? Apart from demonstrating, albeit inwardly, our commitment to the cause of service to the suffering humanity, the cumulative effect of such a move would substantially help the production line and thus give a boost to the national economy in times of such crisis situation.
We also join all in praying that the survivors or the affected ones get the strength to bear with, and tide over, the crisis in their personal lives.
With best regards and hope that the year 2005 will bring necessary succour and happiness to all.
Yours sincerely, D. C. Nath, IPS (Retd.)
On behalf of the IISSM
To all connected with IISSM
