CM inaugrated DTC Bus Depot at Sector-8, Dwarka

Smt. Shiela Dikshit, Hon'ble Chief Minister inaugrated DTC Depot at Sector-8, Dwarka today on 24 th November. Others present at the occasion wrere Shri Arvinder Singh , Hon'ble Minister of Transport & Education, Shri Ramesh Kumar, Hon'ble M P Shri Mahabal Mishra Hon'ble MPShri Dharamdev Solanki, MLAShri Sumesh Shokeen.

A large no of distinguished people like Sh. Ratan Lal Kaushik, Advocate K S Bhati, Dr. Umesh Saroha, Sh. Balwan Singh Khokhar, Sh. Naresh Lamba, Sh. Kuldeep Singh Solanki and many representatives from RWA's , NGOs and organisations. Hon'ble CM planted a ASHOKA tree at the premises of DTC bus depot and enjoyed A/C bus ride.


In second bus media representatives and Sh. Ratan Lal Kaushik, Sh. Naresh Lamba, Sh. Nitin Solanki and representatives from RWA's also enjoyed the inaugural bus ride. During journey driver explained about the new technology system in bus. Conductor informed about the functioning of SMART CARD system.

Inaugration of DTC Depot at Sector-8, Dwarka

Inaugration of DTC Depot at Sector-8, Dwarka
on 24 th November at 11 AM
at DTC Depot, Bagdola, Sector-8, Dwarka

by
Smt. Shiela Dikshit, Hon'ble Chief Minister , Delhi

Presided over by
Shri Arvinder Singh , Hon'ble Minister of Transport & Education

Distinguished guests of Honour

Shri Ramesh Kumar, Hon'ble MP
Shri Mahabal Mishra Hon'ble MP
Shri Dharamdeo Solanki, Hon'ble MLA
Shri Sat Prakash Rana Hon'ble MLA
Shri Sumesh Shokeen, Hon'ble MLA

*Introduction of 100 Low Floor Busses
*Dwarka Circular Sewa with Smart Card based
Automated Fare Collection System

Dwarka Parichay/ Dwarka Forum Thanks to DTC for
paying attention to our long pending demands for better transport system in Dwarka.

Click for details of communication with DTC ofiice
Suggestions for better DTC service in Dwarka
More details at Dwarka Forum -Journey 1
More details at Dwarka Forum -Journey 2
( it took about 3 years of regular communication)

Bhagidari in Dwarka!! ??

Vijay K . Saluja

Living in Dwarka has become both an arduous & challenging task for some of the residents!?
Some may ask why?
These queries can be from persons living in Dwarka &/or from those who are not living in Dwarka. Query from outsiders is somewhat understandable? But, for persons who are living in Dwarka & raise this query, my personal view about them is either they are super-humans or they are not bothered at all, by these mundane things like chaos/garbage in the main markets-Sectors6,/10 & sectors4/12, garbage along the roads, markets, parks etc etc & overflowing dalaos/bins-some of these strategically located on main roads, too , accidents, chain-snatching etc etc.

While planning the sub-city, the concerned authorities must have in their mind, the idea of keeping the residents awareness programme about the stray cows, bulls, stray dogs & pigs in mind as an added [invisible] bonus to the Dwarka-residents. This is a very `successful` initiative of Bhagidari- of urban with rural. Any time of the day & night, no resident/users of these roads will be discriminated against! Everyone, at all hours, will have the benefit of watching some of the open plots meant for parks, being swallowed by filth & garbage & animals/dogs & rag-pickers, making a bee-line for those spots, to dispose off the accumulated waste, in the manner, they like?

Foreign tourists who regularly are brought in by tour-operators, to savour the sights of Delhi, will get the fringe benefits of visiting Dwarka & neighbouring areas & taking snaps/video shots of solid waste management system [non-conventional way], being innovatively practised [at low cost] in our Capital-the host of Commonwealth Games-2010. Dwarka & many other colonies can provide prize-winning snaps?!

Perhaps, that is why our Environment minister recently remarked at one of the event, that `India can win Nobel prize for dirt & filth & in having the distinction of dirtiest cities in the world`!

Day is not very far off when Dwarka will achieve the distinction of giving enough material to some researchers for preparing `Case Study-Solid Waste Management, Bhagidari Way- Animals & Humans`, which can then be presented by them, in a Session, in a prestigious Conference on `Sustainable Development`, in one of the capitals of Europe. I have a lurking hope, it could be adjudged the Best Paper & thus get the Prize, too?!

Writer is
Convenor, `Social Outreach Programme` Committee
IIT Delhi Alumni Association

Related Topics:
Dwarka sub -GARBAGE- city
Dwarka Roads, Parks, Pedestrains, Sanitation
Parking still unplanned for Dwarka Sub city
DWARKA - NO NO TOLERANCE ZONE
Security problem and issue in Dwarka

Source: Dwarka Parichay News & Info Services

Tips to avoid - Robbery, Theft - Burglary, Snatching

After so many incidents of theft, chain/ purse snaching etc. taking these days. Some measures which we should follow in case of dealing with robbery, theft, burglary, purse-snatching etc.

General Tips in cases of:

1. Robbery
-Dial `100` or contact your local police station if you notice something suspicious
-Avoid keeping large sums of money or valuables at your place of work
-Do not carry large amounts of money with you. If this is unavoidable, do not carry the money all at once
-Carry out your transactions discreetly
-Activate any alarm silently. Your movements should be calm and composed
-If gunshots are fired, drop to the floor and seek cover. Your life is the most valuable thing you should protect during a robbery
-Try to accurately recall the assailants` features
-Report the incident to the Police

2. Theft - Burglary
-Use the door spy-hole and always fasten the safety chain
-Make sure your doors and windows are well secured
-If possible, install security locks on the front door of your residence, a reinforced metal rod around the door frame and metal pins on sliding doors
-Do not leave notes stating when you will return or how long you will be absent
-Make sure your house or apartment does not appear completely shut up, which may indicate you are away for some time
-If possible, install an automatic lighting switch and alarm system
-Inform relatives, friends or neighbours about your absence, or if there are particularly serious reasons, contact your local police station
-Do not leave large amounts of money or valuables at home
-Report any incident to the Police

3. Purse or handbag snatching
-Do not carry large amounts of money with you
-Walk on the inner side of the pavement and in an opposite direction to oncoming traffic; always keep your handbag closed and facing the inner side of the sidewalk
-Do not hesitate to call for assistance if someone attacks you in an attempt to steal your handbag or purse. Protect your handbag and wallet in crowed areas
-When seated at outdoor eateries, restaurants, coffee shops, park benches etc., do not leave your handbag on the seat next to you
-Do not bring valuables or large amounts of money with you to the beach
-When in your car, be observant of the movements of motorcyclists next to or behind your vehicle, and do not put your handbag in an obvious location inside the vehicle or on the passenger`s seat. Place it below the passenger`s seat
-Lock your vehicle`s doors while driving
-If you cannot resist the assailant and hold onto your handbag, remember that your health and physical integrity are more valuable than anything else
-Try to remember the assailant`s features and the means of getaway used, if applicable
-Report the incident to the Police

Following these small measures can prevent incidents saving both our life & our hard earn money.

Compiled by Mohit Gupta

Dwarka Forum / Dwarka Parichay Team

Security related topics:
DWARKA FORUM ORGANISES POLICE PUBLIC MEET
Security problem and issue in Dwarka
Need of PPPRO, Delhi Police in Dwarka
Snatchers have free run of Dwarka
Future of Dwarka security
Dwarka sub-city still lacks Security
An open letter to CP, Delhi
Spiralling crime graph scares Dwarka residents
Deteriorating law and order in Dwarka
Are Delhi police listening?

Community leaders training workshop organised by SSA

A two days workshop (20th and 21st November) was organized at SKV Girls School, Palam Enclave under Sarva Sikhsa Abhiyaan , S/W Distt Nazafgarh zone 21 Palam-Dwarka School Vidyalaya Kalyan Samiti (VKS), PTA members. The theme was “Community leaders training workshop” and started from 9.00 AM to 12.00. Many representatives from schools ( VKS members, PTA members and local social organizations) were invited at workshop. Some of the main invitees include Sh. Naresh Lamba ( Chairman VKS GBSSSchool Shahabad Mohd Pur, Member Delhi Team-Bhagidari), Sh. Kuldeep Solanki (Chairman Palam Colony School VKS ) , Sh. Pratap Chaudhary ( Chairman Mahrauli road School Palam VKS), Sh. Pokarmal, Sh. Mahesh Sharma, Sh. Hari Om Gupta (President Palam Extn. RWA) and about 60 representative from various schools.

On the first day of workshop officers from SSA Sh. Jang Bahadur ( Dy Director Distt S/W), Sh. K Shetrapal (DURC SSA), Sh. B.S.Solanki(CCRC SSA, Sh. Jagdish Sharma (CRCC SSA), Sh. K.K. Bharduaj (CCRC SSA), Smt. O. Meslewre Singh (Principal SKV Girls School Palam Enclave), Sh. HetraPal(Vice Principal GBSS School Raj Nagar-1) informed about scholarships, handicap Scholarship, Ladli Yojna, Mid-Day meal, VKS FUND.

Dy. Director Sh. Jang Bahadur suggested VKS, PTA and school representatives to work in unison with school administration for better results.

On the second day Sh. K.K. Bharduaj discussed about moral and sex education with school representatives. At question session Sh. Naresh Lamba raised the pathetic condition of toilets in schools. He said that in about 90% Govt. Schools due to lack of proper water arrangement the filthy smell from toilets is a health hazards for students. He also pointed for low level water tank for drinking water at schools. The non availability of printed copy of citizen charter book, officers, office contacts for future reference by PTA, VKS members lacks objectives of the workshop.

Sh. Kuldeep Singh appealed to parents and representatives to visit regularly to school and ask students about other problems and inform to school administration.

Sh. Hari Om Gupta said that during 5-6 years many facilities are added in schools and appealed school administration to use these facilities form Government.

BEWARE - SNATCHERS ON THE PROWL AGAIN IN DWARKA

M. K. Gupta

Two bike riders snatched chain of a lady at about 4.00 p.m. near Mass Society T Point. The matter was reported to PCR van at phone no. 100 which PCR immediately and local police visited and noted the incident. The lady told the police that she is resident of Uti in Tamil Nadu and has come to her relative residing at Cosmos Society, Sec. 10, Dwarka. She got some injuries around her neck and her Kurta got torn in the attempt.
Fortunately, it was a failed attempt of snatching as the chain has not broken and was thus saved.

1st Sunny Valley Cricket League held in Dwarka

On friday night November 13, people in and around Sector-12 witnessed the opening of 1st Sunny Valley Cricket League on the occasion of Children’s Day.

Sunny Valley Resident Welfare Association celebrated Children’s Day in a unique way by organizing night cricket tournament for the first time in Dwarka. The event was held on 13th, 14th & 15th November’09 between 7pm – 12 mid-night.
It was an instant success as the residents participated with great zeal and enthusiasm and the rest supported the initiative. Junior Championship saw participation of 24 kids forming Black & Blue teams. Senior Championship saw participation of 30 adults forming Red, Blue and Black teams.

There were 3 matches for Juniors and 4 matches for Seniors. Juniors matches had a limit of 8 overs a side and Senior matches had a limit of 10 overs a side. The matches were played using a Tennis balls for the safety of the houses, cars and crowd.
There were Prizes given for Junior & Senior category respectively. Winning Trophy, Medal for each player of winning teams, Man of the Series, Best Bowler, Best Batsman and individual Man of the Match. Junior Champions were Blue where as Red won Senior Championship.

There were sufficient seating arrangements for the event. Spectators including elderly, parents, kids, watched the show amongst huge excitement sipping tea and munching snacks on all the three pleasant nights of the tournament. Even Metro riders could not hold their anxiety and expressed their happiness by waving at participants. Most of the on-lookers stopped and watched the proceedings with similar interest.

Mr. Abhinav Saxena had been the main driving force behind this event, from conceptualizing the idea and executing it. Prizes to the participants were given by the Secretary of the Sunny Valley Managing Committee, Mr. K.S.Verma, Mr. Jai Mudgil (President, Dwarka Residents Welfare Association), Mrs. Pratibha Verma (Secretary, Dwarka Residents Welfare Association), along with Mrs. Bala Sharma, Mrs. Indu and Mrs. Murti Devi, Mr. Ravinder Singh and Dr. Kulbir Singh.

Event organizers have been approached by other societies to include them during next such celebration.

KNOWING GOD THE SCIENTIFIC WAY

Er. Colonel Sabharwal Ashwini Kumar,
EME (ARMT) Bsc,Bsc (Engg) Mech (BHU), AMIE

We are extremely grateful to SCIENCE and the Scientist for providing us means to kn about the unimaginably minute atoms, electrons, the energy in electrons by which they are in motion at tremendous speeds, micro-organism, blood cells, protoplasm, and what not. Similarly science has discovered for us the knowledge about macro, the vast creation, Stars, Planets, Constellations, Solar systems, galaxies, spread over billions of miles, no two heavenly bodies ever-colliding and functioning like a perfect clock, following strictest of rules and discipline. Imagine, for example, the gyro-motion of our earth itself, an undulated sphere of diameter about 13,000 kms, rushing in space, nine crores and thirty lakh miles away from the sun, at a speed of 30 km/sec which is thirty times the speed of bullet fired from a rifle and spinning at an incredible speed of 1670km/hr which is far more than the fastest jet plane invented by man so far. Despite the change and other changes take place, we being at ease as if nothing is happening. We go about leisurely on mother earth in grand ignorance of its tremendous movements in space.

Nobody, so far, has solved the riddle of life, as to what is that which leads to knife and what is death, what is the cause of movements in human beings, animals and plants.

The question arises “Is everything happening without a cause, is all this creation without the creator”. Scientist has no answer because he cannot prove, he does not accept. Now, how to bridge this gap. One simple assumption which has been amply proved thousand of times through the personal experience of many persons, great Yogis and declared in no uncertain terms in ‘GEETA’, the song celestial, would provide the solution to this most difficult problem. The assumption is a creator and he is in the form of energy of the minutest wave length, beyond the measuring capacity of any instrument ever to be invented by the scientist, is permeating every atom/cell and is life itself, the source of all movement and life in all living beings.

Thou art refuge, thou art worthy of worship, thou art the sustainer of creation and self effulgent, thou art the creator, sustainer and destroyer of the world, thou art very calm and devoid of all thoughts.

As and when the goodness deteriorates to its worst, to uplift it, I incarnet at that time.
To protect the good and to destroy the wicked and establish moral code of conduct, I incarnate from time to time.

Those, who, with full faith, remember me always, I look after them in all respects.

Leaving aside all religions, come to my refuge alone. I will absolve you from the after-effects of all bad deeds, be sure.

In the above Shlokass, Shri Vyas, a realized soul and the author of Mahabharat is saying in no uncertain words, the truth about the incarnation who declares the eternal facts to great Arjun.

All activity around us is due to the interaction of positive and negative energy, positive and negative temperaments and is termed as world-drama . It has been carrying on from time-immemorial and will carry on till eternity.

The Divine Energy can be visualized in the form of light, through perfect concentration of mind, in the forehead, between the two eye-brows. It is through constant, relentless practice that one would have such an extra-ordinary experience, resulting in undisturbable peace of mind and equanimity.

God is an intelligent life force. If we worship it as a personal God, a stage comes when we see it as such as we see motion picture on the screen. Here mind is the screen and personal God is a live picture.

If we worship it as energy, we can perceive it as light in the forehead and in region of the heart.

If the above facts are assumed as correct, it will straightway bridge the gap between the spiritualist and the scientist. The concept provided by the science in understanding the energy clearly, if stretched further, will enable us to understand the ultimate, the Divine Energy, God himself.

The question arises, so what if we understand Divine Energy and its attributes. The matchless advantage is that if we tune into that energy, we will have best of attributes, wonderful confidence, sereneness and happiness, which will give us best of wordily satisfaction and the end will be without suffering which, otherwise, everyone has to undergo and is mortally afraid of it. I have a personal experience of the effect of tuning into this Divine Energy and can explain the same to any one who is really interested in knowing the same. It surely requires spiritual orientation and faith to be able to understand it well and benefit from it.

IN DWARKA, SERIOUS CRIMES REPLACES PETTY CRIMES

M.K. Gupta

On 16th, on gun-point, three armed men dragged a family out of their Honda City and drove away with it in Dwarka near Indraprastha School. Really, daring dacoity. Recently, in another incident, conmen reportedly shoot down a person and looted Rs 3 lakh on the main road near Rajapuri. On 17th, two persons committed rape in a moving car on a 14-year girl of Palam.
Serious crimes are replacing comparatively petty crimes in Dwarka now a day. To root out such crime, there is an urgent need to check the vehicles without or improper number plates, with tinted glasses beyond permissible limit. Coving of face by driver without proper reason should also be noticed. Anti-social elements take shelter under such acts. Appeal the Police (include Traffic) to act fast.

DWARKA FORUM ORGANISES POLICE PUBLIC MEET

M. K. Gupta

There is a need to unite against the crimes, said the Asstt. Commissioner of Police, M. S. Randhawa, while replying to the queries in the Police-Public meeting organized by the Dwarka Forum at Gokul Garden, Sector-7, Dwarka, in which Dainik Jagran City plus was the media partner. Mr. Randhawa said that police analyze the reasons for crime in Dwarka to find out permanent solution. Welcoming the initiative taken by the Forum and replying to the issues raised by the residents, he informed that 85 to 90% cars are stolen from the market and stressed the need for installing the anti-theft devises which has only one time expenditure. He is also open to the system contract parking which will solve the problem of theft and traffic jam due to the parking the vehicle in a haphazard manner. Mr. Randhawa said that public should identify the Bangladeshis residing illegally and the police can also reward public for such an initiative.

Police is facing the shortage of manpower as 22 new police stations has started functioning but to overcome this, fresh recruitment process will start soon but it finalisation may take up to two years. He also said that the incident of chain snatching have decreased as the police has provided 8 motor-cycles to its staff for patrolling and police has caught many gangs involved in snatching. Police sometimes puts the decoy also to nab the snatchers.

On the complaint of the participants against the open drinking, he said that the police has arrested about 1400 drinkers for open drinking and creating nuisance under the DP Act. This problem is acute in sector 23 and he will take necessary steps to stop this. On burglary, he stressed the need for the close interactions among the residents of the Societies and DDA pockets and neighbour watch hood scheme. He also said that the police is considering to take step for the verification of agencies providing guards and can also issue grading of these agencies. He advised the management of the societies to prevail open such agencies for providing only such guards who have been verified by the police. He also suggested that the public can also verify the residential address themselves by sending a money order of small amount at the residence of the worker and if that is taken by some one, it will confirm the correctness of the address. Apart from this, the Managements of the Societies and employers should also insist for the verification of workers working inside the societies and DDA pockets. He informed that in the past, there were over 40 weekly bazaars, which have now been brought down to 6 only.
Other problems discussed were encroachment particularly by food vans and encroachment by shopkeepers in front of their shops and said that if the resident spot any policeman taking bribe for ignoring the encroachment, he can inform him on his mobile also. He informed that he has suspended a head constable on the suspicion of taking bribe and said that he is determined to break the nexus between some shopkeepers and encroachers despite the problem of multiple agencies. He will that the Delhi police is giving training to its staff to behave in proper manner with the public, to be in proper uniform and in disciplined manner. Many other problems of the residents were discussed. He assured the Public that the police pickets would be increased and efforts will be made to verify all the security guards.

Traffic Inspector, Bishwajit has also replied the queries of the participants on the traffic management in Dwarka. He said that the traffic violators shall be booked and the Traffic Police has approved the installation 18 new traffic lights on different intersections in Dwarka.

The meeting was held on Saturday (14.11.2009) and was attended by the Asstt. Commissioner of Police, M.S. Randhawa, SHO, Dwarka (N), Bhagwan Singh, Traffic Inspector, Bishwajit, office bearers and members of Dwarka Forum, Office bearers of RWA/CGHS, Sh. S. P. Rai - President of Senior Citizen Association, Dwarka, Sh. Kishan Chand - Pradhan of 360 villages, Sh. Rajeev Solanki - Gokul Garden, Ms. Pooja Sethi of Jagran Group, Sh. Naresh Lamba - President of Social Development Welfare Society, Sh. Surat Karan - President of Saksham NGO, Representatives of Social Welfare NGOs, Members of Dwarka Parichay, prominent citizens and residents.

Dwarka School listing and admission guidance - Part 1of 3

Dear friends,

Its ADMISION TIME AGAIN.

Dwarka Parichay is receiving hundreds of queries about good reputed schools in Dwarka in terms of quality education, good infrastructure, overall facilities etc.

It is not possible to reply to all queries in time. So for the benefit of all Dwarkaites we are publishing Dwarka school listing.

You are FREE to share this useful information with your friends in your networks.

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Schools Listing

School Name------------------- Sector-------- Phone Nos.
Delhi Public School --------------------3------------- 25074472
Jivani Bharti Public School ------------4----------- 25087162 / 25088524
Modern Convent School ---------------4----------- 25080767 / 25080768
N.K. Bagrodia Public School -----------4----------- 25087511
BGS International School --------------5----------- 25086373 / 25086352
Great Mission Public School -----------5------------ 25075473
Kendriya vidyalaya -------------------5 ------------28081328
Icon International School -------------5------------ 25073139 / 25070394
DAV Public School --------------------6------------- 25083166 / 25082166
J M International School --------------6------------ 25086313
MDH International School -------------6------------25075792
Vishwa Bharati Public School-----------6------------ 25082884 / 25087182
Max Fort School -----------------------7------------ 28083435 / 28083434
Shiksha Bharti Public School -----------7------------ 25083463 / 25083307
Cozy Cot Special School ----------------7-------------9811487712
Diwakar Navotkarsh Special -----------7-------------9811573008
yan Sagar Public School ---------------8-------------25364480
Queen's Valley School -----------------8-------------25365145/25365146
ITL Public School ---------------------9------------- 25071251 / 25071252
R.D. Rajpal Public School --------------9-------------- 25074111
Indraprastha International School ----10------------- 25073111 / 25073222
Rajkiya Pratibha Vikas School --------10------------- 25086830
Saraswati Model School --------------10 -------------25087637 / 55871771
Vandana International School --------10------------- 25080822 / 24918555
Venkteshwar International School ----10------------ 25075700 / 25089415

---------Continue---------Continue------------------Continue in the next post...

© Copyright 2005-2010 Dwarka Parichay. All Rights Reserved

For correction or addition to the list send details / changes to schools@dwarkaparichay.com

Note: Schools and Educationist may apply for including in Dwarka Parichay Panel & receive FULL details about contacts of parents/ students seeking admissions in reputed SCHOOLS in Dwarka.

Regards,

Dwarka Parichay Team
E-mail: schools@dwarkaparichay.com

Talking tough won’t do

Joginder Singh ji
(Former Director - CBI)

India is under siege from both within and without. Maoists are having their way in 40 per cent of the country while, on the other hand, Pakistani terrorists are also keeping the country on its toes. In his latest rebuke, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram has warned Pakistan “not to play with India by covertly sponsoring terrorists… The Mumbai attacks should be Pakistan’s last game”. This is for the first time in the history of the fight against terrorism in India that the Union Home Minister has said that the terrorists will not only be defeated but also face retaliation.

A few days earlier Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had extended his hand of friendship to Pakistan but asked Islamabad to stop backing the terrorists. Intelligence inputs pouring in, even from unimpeachable and foreign sources, indicate that terrorists operating from Pakistani soil are very much intact.

The FBI, America’s federal investigation agency, after interrogating two suspected terrorists in the US by the name of David Coleman Headley and Tahawwur Hussain Rana has informed India that the Lashkar-e-Tayyeba is plotting a major attack on India. This information is reportedly based on Headley and Rana’s confession made during interrogation. Apparently, the National Defence College in Delhi and two public schools in north India — Doon School in Dehradun and Woodstock in Mussoorie — were on the duo’s hit-list. The NDC trains about 100 officers every year of which about 60 are from the Indian armed forces. Foreign military officers number about 25 while IAS, IPS and allied services officers number about 15.

Schoolmates Headley and Rana — both of whom are of Pakistani origin — were arrested by the FBI in Chicago last month on charges of planning major terrorist attacks in India and Denmark. No matter what our politicians say, such attacks require a lot of logistical support from local sympathisers. Hence, there is no reason to doubt that Headley and Rana had local contacts here in India.

26/11 as well as earlier terrorist attacks have exposed chinks in our intelligence set-up. Not only did we lack of actionable intelligence about these attacks but we were also totally unprepared. Terrorists are constantly changing their training and strategies. Governments and security forces, on the other hand, have traditionally responded very slowly. Even if changes are made, they are not in proportion to the threat levels.

Another problem is that even when our security agencies are capable of reacting, they don’t act for the fear of being accused of being merciless and cruel. Even the normal precautions which are required to be taken are often ignored. But terror groups keep on improvising new tactics and crafting new plans to surprise India. Thus, there can never be too much of security.

It is shocking that our intelligence agencies have painted a possible scenario wherein terrorists could strike at our defence and nuclear installations, but no assessment or critical examination of the state of our preparedness has been done by the Government in this regard. The only silver lining is that the Union Home Minister has been seen to be taking a tough stand. But in spite of his best efforts, the changes needed to tackle any grim scenario have not been implemented like they should have.

Instead of having the terrorists surprise us all the time, our security agencies need to improvise and continuously modify their field strategies. This is the only way to neutralise the jihadis. There has to be a massive change in our security technologies and tradecraft before we can take the terrorists by surprise.

There is no such thing as a time-tested method for dealing with terrorism or for collecting intelligence. It is up to the Government of the day to give a free hand to its security agencies to invent new methodologies. Innovation is the key to remaining ahead of the terrorists. At present, due to a variety of reasons, our security agencies are on the defensive. This approach needs to be changed. We are the ones who should be on the offensive and going all out against the jihadis whose sole mission is to destroy the country.

The highest political leadership has offered to hold talks with the various separatist groups in the country. Force need not be used when talks can sort things out. This is a good policy. But the problem lies in the fact that there are no takers for this offer of dialogue. The separatists have not even responded as they feel that the Government is too weak to deal with them and, therefore, is asking for talks on bended knees. Our security agencies need to put themselves in the shoes of the terrorists and think like them in order to prepare themselves for any situation.

I received the following e-mail which supposedly comprises a quote by former Australian Prime Minister John Howard. The subject is ‘Immigrants, not Australians, must adapt’.

“I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individuals or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali, we have experienced a surge in patriotism among the majority of Australians. This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom. We speak mainly English, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society learn the language! Most Australians believe in god. This is not some Christian, Right-wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If god offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because god is part of our culture.”

We could learn a thing or two from this Australian viewpoint.