The 16th edition of the Security Leadership Summit organized by Central Association of Private Security Industry (CAPSI) was held at the NDMC Convention Centre, Sansad Marg, New Delhi on 17th December 2021. This years’ Summit was organized in a hybrid manner with physical presence of over 250 industry leaders from across the country. Eminent politicians, bureaucrats and public figures shared their thought process with respect to the growth and well-being of the industry. Apart from them, the conference was also attended by the senior officials and students of the private security management course being conducted by Sardar Patel University of Police Security and Criminal Justice (SPUP) to understand the functioning of private security industry. Over 150 security guards who are the frontline soldiers of various private security agencies also attended the Summit. All the members of CAPSI were able to view the entire proceeding sitting at their respective states and were able to even participate through zoom platform.
The highlight of the event was the participation of the Chief Guest Gen (Dr) VK Singh MoS Road, Transport and Highways at the inaugural session. Traditional practice of the lighting of the lamp was followed wherein the dignitaries on the dais lead by Gen (Dr) VK Singh lit the auspicious lamp followed by distribution of Badge of Honour to the Frontline warriors of the industry for their exemplary courage during the pandemic. The summit was also graced by Udai Mahurkar, Information Commissioner of India; Anurag Batra, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief, Business World Magazine; Prakash Mirani, Additional CEO, GEM; and Advocate SK Gupta as Guest of Honour.
Audio Visual on Private Security Day Celebrations – 4th December
An audio visual on Private Security Day celebrations was showcased after the inaugural session. Addressing the Summit, Chairman Kunwar Vikram Singh highlighted that to recognise the role of private security industry and private security guards in the nation-building process, particularly in the times of national emergency and crisis, the Central Association of Private Security Industry (CAPSI) decided to celebrate December 4 as the ‘Private Security Day.’ He informed the Chief Guest that ‘Private Security Day’ was also celebrated internationally as all the leading global organisations and companies agreed to the CAPSI proposal. “December 4 is a special day for the entire private security industry in India and across the world as it was on this day that the former President Smt Pratibha Patil had inaugurated the CAPSI’s Annual Security Leadership Summit in 2009. It was the first-ever occasion across the world when a Head of the State had inaugurated the annual summit of the private security industry in any country,” said Mr Singh, “It is also a solemn occasion for us to honour the contributions of the private security industry during the Covid-19 pandemic which created havoc in India and across the world. We paid tributes to our brave private security personnel who died while serving humanity during the pandemic. A number of events were planned to commemorate the day. Certificates and prizes to recognise the services of the deserving security personnel were awarded. Associates of CAPSI across the globe also celebrated the day which speaks volumes of solidarity of security sector fraternity.”
The Chairman further said as the country’s economy was badly affected, many private security establishments were also forced to close down due to the slowdown of business, thereby resulting in loss of jobs for the employees. The private security industry was able to withstand the onslaught of the Covid tsunami and continued to provide services to the end users. The performance of the private security industry during the COVID pandemic, especially during the lockdown phase, was outstanding. The fact that the industry was recognised as an ‘essential service’ by the government authorities speaks volumes of faith and trust the Government of India reposes on the industry. The security personnel faced a lot of problems during that time when public transport and other amenities which we take for granted was not available. Most importantly, the fear of contracting the deadly virus as they were vulnerable was also there. Despite that the security guard, undaunted by the difficulties posed did manage to reach his place of duty and performed his tasks admirably. Now was the time to appreciate their role and the professional commitment exhibited at that time. Keeping in view the spirit, ‘Private Security Day’ was celebrated in all parts of country by all state chapters of CAPSI. He said that with the dedication and devotion with which our comrades celebrated this day, there was hardly any city or town where it would not have been celebrated.
Addressing the Summit, Chairman Kunwar Vikram Singh also lamented the government proposal to downgrade private security industry from skilled to semiskilled category as it will hurt employability of over 1 lakh private security guards currently working in the industry. He urged the government to reconsider it. He also said increasing mandatory training period for private security guards from 160 hours to 400 hours was not feasible as there are no paraphernalia available to conduct such training programmes.
Private Security Sector to Employ more Women in Times to Come
Addressing the Security Leadership Summit-2021, Gen (Dr) V K Singh said the Indian private security industry needs to evolve itself by employing more women and maximising use of technology in order to survive and excel. He said, in times to come it will be difficult to provide security and ensure safety without the use of technology. Similarly, need of security is growing across sectors, and here women can play a major role in providing security to various businesses and industry including markets, saloons, highways schools and institutions and companies etc. Their role and involvement is key to the growth of the private security industry, Gen VK Singh added. The Union Minister also stressed the need for better training to provide better security, and here too technology will play a major role. Terrorists and anti-social elements are using technology to commit crime, so the private security industry will also have to adopt newer technologies to stay ahead in the game. One way to bridge this gap will be by organising exchange programmes with foreign partners. Foreign players with better access to advanced technologies can help the Indian security industry, he added.
Chairman thanked the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for recognising and commending the work and role played by the private security industry during the Corona pandemic. Private security guards risked their lives and played such a crucial role during the Corona pandemic. But the downgrading of the private security industry will badly hurt their morale and would prove to be counterproductive for the entire industry.
