An Essay on Transport Security
-by Radhika Rani G.
-by Radhika Rani G.
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| A group presentation in transport security: Explaining the teacher Mr John Hutchins security risk assessment and development of a security plan for a port facility. |
Was
it purely coincidental that the world's largest democracy was brought to its
knees on 9-11, till then only an emergency number, which even a trained dog
could easily dial for its master in distress. Perhaps, only Osama bin Laden
could have known that. But he and his yes-men must have had the last laugh
watching the pangs of havoc from the deadliest attack loom higher than what the
efficient emergency teams could handle.
Since
then, civil liberties and the citizen's perceived notion of "being free
from danger or threat" have been at stake as stringent legislations seem
to harry innocent mortals. Thanks to security protocols in the transportation
sector - seaborne, land and more pronouncedly in aviation, people had to
hurriedly gulp their bottled water or drop the 'priced' one into the bin before
passing through the security check for their flight. Also, off went their
shaving foam, shower gel, branded perfume and chic toiletries into trash if the
liquid was more than 100 ml. "How
will I know that?" the frowned look on the helpless passengers seemed
to say. "But again, I am not
complaining!"
Suddenly,
trivial stuff started jostling for room and safety in the checked-in baggage
and raising suspicion if left 'unattended'. Adding to the rigmarole were early
arrival, long wait at security, enhanced pat-down and so on. And electronic
eyes wouldn't shy away from capturing a goodbye kiss from all angles. "Gosh, Give me a break!" No
way. New security norms were adding to common man's itinerary - advanced
imaging, cargo container radiation scanning, biological weapons detection, face
recognition and explosive trace detection - to name a few.
But
then, we have learnt to live with it - with the fact that while terror is being
unleashed in the name of god, our lives are inextricably bound to the norms of
the day in the name of security.
Patience, they name
is security?
This prescription started generating long queues at public places calling for
better planning of one's arrival and exit timing, by bowing to rules with
enticing names such as the Patriot Law or the Brotherhood Treaty. People started
realising that we as a human race are vulnerable to weapons and so were
responding with collective consciousness to their right to live, even if that
meant prolonged security-induced procedures or even delays. Removing off shoes,
jackets or outwear at checkpoints was therefore okay if it was meant to nab the
bad guys baying for blood.
Life,
though always a daring adventure, now saw 'terror' and 'security' take the centrestage
and play the hide-and-seek. Be part of
the game or be damned! Well, the citizens of the world, struggling with
new-age uncertainties and fears, realised they had no choice but to tune up
because we live in a 'global village' where societies are no longer insulated
but tangled and wired as a whole.
As
threats in a world grew large and seamless even while the cyberspace was adding
more bits and bytes, human race levitated to a level where security was not
mere physical, ie, protection of oneself or one's home, territory, food, or
utilities but far more far-reaching in the form of political, social, IT,
economic and monetary. A change in one had a Domino's Effect on other forms of
security. And that is what the world saw when the Twin Towers came crashing down
- an attack causing colossal impact on the way people carry on with their lives,
travel, businesses, finances and communication in both the real and the cyber world - with caution and care.
If
terror could force a country to scale up its physical security and eventually
that of the world, it also stoked a victim's vengeance through protracted wars
destabilising diplomatic relations and trade ties. International politics saw
countries dividing as groups based on nuclear power, oil & gas reserves and
economic & bargaining power. While people in well-off countries were
privileged to enjoy the resources at hand, others living in countries defying
the diktats of the Super Power had to resign into isolation and denial of the
right as global citizens - to move or trade freely across boundaries.
While
the world's defence spending on national security and counter-terrorism grew 50
per cent from 2001 to 2010 touching US$1.63 trillion1, today's
recession that has cast a social and psychological malaise on societies can be
seen as a ripple effect of the terror attack and the resultant retaliation and
power dynamics since the turn of the 21st century. The Result: A 'layman'
struggles with unemployment and financial instability while his government
tries hard not to go bankrupt. Also, for him, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself" shall sound
outlandish or rather irrelevant. Because trust is giving way to suspicion,
cynicism and hatred - towards people and politicians. Is this a trigger of a
security-aware culture? May be.
In
an Indian blockbuster film, My Name is
Khan2, the President-elect Barack Obama (played by American
actor Christopher Duncan) reassures the autistic young hero, "Your name is Khan and you are not a
terrorist." What does that hint at. Yes, stereotypes, perhaps racist.
As
security service providers make hay when the sun shines, London, for now, is
the world's CCTV capital with an average Briton being filmed while going about
his business, be it on trains or buses, in schools, hospitals, department
stores, football grounds, streets and shops. For him, security is not a game
and this was seen by tourists attending the Olympic Games in 2012. Yes, threat and
security go together. But none of the two for Shani Shingapur3, an
Indian village that does not have doors for its houses, or even its bank's
locker. "Nobody is a thief and so we
have no doors or locks!" is the collective response of its people. But
they are just an exception in a world getting used to scan and be scanned as a
risk measure, even to background checks for employment.
Yet,
the basic human nature to hope for a better living and a bright tomorrow is fuelling
a positive psyche that in turn is able to sustain sanity in the midst of chaos.
Resilience is lifting societies quickly from stupor each time they are hit by a
terror attack. Mumbai never stops! That
is how the world perceives the stoic spirit of a typical Mumbaikar, who, having
lived through the deadliest attacks in 2008 and 1993, goes to work after a day
of mayhem. It is business as usual because time and tide wait for none!
This
collective consciousness of the ephemerality of human life and so the need for
social justice and equity has also seen philanthropy go up in a big way and the
Forbes' List of billionaires are
adding more and more dollars to their social causes and corporate social
responsibility. Notwithstanding political uprisings in the Arab World, Facebook,
though seen by some as a passing fad, is still a busy social network currently with
901 million active users worldwide4 and providing a platform for
people to share their thoughts and trivia. Finding
New-age Solace and Security among Friends and Family can be fun!
All the world's a stage, And all
the men and women merely players.
This Shakespearean truth guides our actions as we live with terror and threat
day in and day out. Well, the citizens of the world seem to know it better now
more than ever before. And so each one plays his part just right - not even fidget
at airport lest the cop should come rushing. If 'A' is for Attacks and Actions,
it also means Awareness. Yes, constant alertness and attentiveness to the world
around - elements of a security-aware culture. To croon Bob Dylan, Then you better start swimmin' Or you'll
sink like a stone. For the times they are a-changin' 5. Yes, 'A'
is for Adaptability, too!
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