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
with a RFID sensor embedded wrist-band ( with a beautiful rendering of Ganga
Mata and bearing a description which reads :
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
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
====================================================================
Added on 25 May 2022 :
RFID in offing for pilgrims visiting Mata Vaishno Devi shrine
( TOI / 22 May 2022 )
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