A story published on TIMES OF INDIA dt july 22,2009 stated as under,
"NEW DELHI: Aviation authorities have sought an FIR against Continental for making Kalam take off his shoes and undergo a humiliating security check at Delhi airport before being allowed to board flight CO 083 to Newark on April 21.
As Kalam was about to board his flight to New York around 10pm, he was put through ladder point security under which the former President was frisked completely. He was also asked to take off his shoes, despite accompanying CISF personnel protesting to the airline staff that Kalam was an ex-President and exempt from such checks. While the airline did not budge, the unassuming Kalam went through the process without any fuss.
On its part, the airline said US rules stipulate all passengers flying to the country must be checked just before entering the aircraft again and that there are no exceptions for VVIPs. The CISF sent a report of this protocol violation to the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security. The airline was issued a showcause notice on July 9 and asked to respond within a week, something they have not done till date."
Whereas, the act of US Airline is unpardonable,it is interesting to see the list of people who are exempted from security checks in India .Apart from many VIPs, it also includes:
- HIGH COMMISSIONERS & THEIR SPOUSES
- DALAI LAMA
- SPG PROTECTEES & ROBERT VADRA
It is pertinent to mention that even the CHIEF OF INDIAN ARMED FORCES were not exempted from this check about an year back when the spouses(of our VIPs) , Mr Dalai Lama & Mr Robert Vadra(son in law of a VIP) were enjoying this exemption.In fact it was only when the media carried stories,they were included in the list.But the irony is that all military officers even of the rank of Lt Generals ,still have to undergo the security checks ,whereas our SPOUSES,Mr DALAI LAMA & Mr ROBERT VADRA are enjoying the exemption.
I have nothing against the above categories but the larger question still looms large;when these officers can be trusted to defend the entire nation;why cant they be trusted to board a flight.Are they inferior in any manner to the above category?
Let us have a debate on this all over again.
photo courtsey: google
IT IS IRONY THAT LOCAL mp MLA ,MINISTER ARE OPENLY & WILLFULLY VIOLATING SECURITY nORMS & PROCEEDURES for boarding any airline in india
ReplyDeletecisf is always facing such indecent behaviour were in a forigen airways operating on indian soil & air &DEMEANING THE HIGHEST & FIRST CITIZEN OF india.
HERe IN PSU AS SECURITY IN CHARGE I COME ACROSS SUCH INDECENT BEHAVIOR OF govt OFFICIALS --IB REP.,AUDITORS,etc
& OTHER WHO JUST WANT THAT gates SHOULD BE KEPT OPEN & THEY SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENTER
fACTORY A GOVT NAVRATANA psu WITHOUT ANY CHECK OR ANY SECURITY FORMALITIES
major r s SHEKHAWAT manager SECURITY
i always had this veiw, that we as armed forces r serving the wrong leader-the president.
ReplyDeleteif our supreme commander is a weak nothing on indian political life we will all remain so.
unless we change the post we r serving to that of a actual force to reckon, we will be doomed
we have had too much of presidential pleasure