Thank You, Shri Amitbhai Shah

 Thank You, Shri Amitbhai Shah

 

 

Some 4 years ago, before the 2019 Kumbh Mela, I sent following e-mail to UP CM Shri Yogi Adityanathji ( and Kumbh Mela authorities ) :

 

Ø Greatest  Show  on  Earth :  Kumbh  Mela  ………. ……….. [   25  Aug  2018  ]

 

Among my many suggestions to make Kumbh Mela ( with expected 12 crore visitors ) safe for pilgrims, was the following :

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       At each “ Arrival Point “ ( Railway Station / Bus Stands / Airport / Parking Plots for private vehicles ) , each

 

       arriving visitor to be welcomed with a RFID sensor embedded wrist-band ( with a beautiful rendering of Ganga

 

       Mata and bearing a description which reads :

 

 

“  नमो गंगे – Kumbh 2019 “

 

 

Before issuing the wrist band, pilgrim’s AADHAR NO will be entered into the sensor

 

 

It will be mandatory for the visitors to wear this Wrist Band as long as they are inside the “ PILGRIMAGE

 

PERIMETER “

 

 

This will help the central PILGRIM TRAFFIC CONTROL ROOM , to track  :

      #   each and every visitor

      #   missing / lost persons

     #    mischief-mongers / miscreants

     #    accident victims / sick persons

 

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I am not aware whether this suggestion got implemented or not at Kumbh ( although many other suggestions in my e-mail did get implemented ), but I am happy that our government is going ahead to implement it during the next month’s Amarnath Yatra, as reported below :

Context :

Explained: What are RFID tags that will be used to track Amarnath pilgrims  /  Indian Express / 18 May 2022

 

Extract :

After a high-level security review for the forthcoming Amarnath Yatra, the government has decided to track all pilgrims using Radio Frequency Identification ( RFID ) tags.

What does RFID stand for ?

Radio Frequency Identification. It’s a wireless tracking system that consists of tags and readers. Radio waves are used to communicate information / identity of objects or people to nearby readers – devices that can be hand-held or built into fixed positions like poles or buildings. The tags can carry encrypted information, serial numbers and short descriptions.

 

Is it possible to hack RFID tags ?

Depending on data to be shared, grades of encryption can be introduced between the tag and the reader to verify credentials.

 

Why are RFIDs being used during Amarnath Yatra ?

The decision to track all Amarnath Yatris using RFID tags was taken amid heightened security threat to the pilgrimage. The decision was announced after a high-level meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah to review security preparedness for the Yatra.

 

A statement by the MHA said :

 

“ The Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir, said that for the first time every Amarnath Yatri would be given a RIFD card and would be insured for Rs. 5 lakh. A tent city, WiFi hotspots and proper lighting will be arranged on the yatra’s travel route.”

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Dear Shri Amitbhai,

 

 

Each year, we hear about pilgrims getting killed during stampedes which occur at pilgrimage places

 

Forcing pilgrims to wear RFID tags is a welcome decision

 

However, going beyond ensuring the safety of the pilgrims through use of RFID tags, there are a large number of steps that can – and must – be taken, to make a pilgrimage a HAPPY and COMFORTABLE experience – especially for POOR – SICK – OLD and CHILDREN

 

I urge you to consider the suggestions made in my above-mentioned email and then issue to all State Governments, an ADVISORY DOCUMENT which lays down the detailed PROTOCOL to be followed and ON-SITE arrangements for a smooth / regulated / unhurried  FLOW of TRAFFIC

 

 

 

With regards,

 

Hemen Parekh  /  19 May 2022 / hcp@RecruitGuru.com