R.V. Raghu is spokesperson of ISACA, a global IT professional association and learning organisation. Raghu has over a decade of hands-on global expertise in engineering, manufacturing, information technology, chemicals, mining, and telecommunications. He recently joined NewsX for an exclusive interview as part of the NewsX India A-List and discussed ISACA and its importance in India.

“One of the most fascinating aspects of today’s world is the rise of technology. Technology has been similar to energy or water in that we use it without considering what is behind it. This is where an organisation like ISACA and what ISACA does in the Indian context is very important. We are very good at implementing innovations but only later do we find out about cyber protection problems or any other obstacles that are behind the technology. It is here ISACA provides experts with the resources they need to ensure that technology risks are identified at an early stage and handled effectively,” he said.

In terms of ISACA certifications, Raghu elaborated, “We provide four kinds of certifications in India—CISA, Certified Information System Auditor, which is the oldest certification that we offer. It is really popular because it helps you inspect technologies and anything related to them. The other qualification is the CISM, which stands for Certified Information System Manager. CRISC and CGEIT are two new ISACA certifications that have piqued my interest. One of them is the Information Technology-certified associate, which is something that works for anybody who is new in the business and is trying to prove that they have the understanding of the fundamentals.”

He explained ISACA’s background, saying, “ISACA is a multinational, not-for-profit organisation. The firm has been in operation for 50 years. It all began with a group of experts in the United States deciding that we needed to work together to provide a better mechanism for auditing, and the great thing about ISACA is that it is entirely motivated by desire. ISACA has approximately 220 chapters in 188 countries and 150,000 members. We’ve been in India since 1968, with the first chapter set in Chennai. Today we have chapters in almost every corner of the country. As a result, once an individual becomes member, he or she has access to all of the services that ISACA provides at both the national and local levels.”

“One of the things that ISACA has recognised is innovative learning methodologies,” he said when asked about the organisation’s current offerings. “Traditional pedagogical approaches are no longer effective. Not only have methodologies evolved as a result of the pandemic, but also as a result of the Internet. We have the ITCA (Information Technology Certified Associate) certification. It aids in the comprehension of foundational concepts in fields such as networking, basic cybersecurity, software development fundamentals and data science. CET (Certification of Emerging Technologies) is another certificate we have. It allows professionals to keep up with the latest developments in technology.”

He clarified the philanthropic aspect of the organisation by saying, “ISACA recognises that, while we are a volunteer-driven organisation, there are segments of society that are under-represented that need access to all of these resources. The word “opportunity” has always stood out for ISACA. We’re attempting to address three issues: young adults, the shield stick, and inclusivity. If someone wants to become a member then they have to go to isaca.org to get access to all member-related information, or they can contact one of the several chapters in India or around the world.”

Dr Ram Athavale is a CBRN expert who teaches the subject at the University of Rome. He has also been an advisor to EU CBRN Risk Management Mitigation Centres of Excellence, besides being a key advisor to the Government of India on CBRN security. Excerpts of an interview with Dr Athavale:

Q. What is a CBRN threat

A. It stands for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear security or threats. In the earlier days the term was NBC (Nuclear, Biological and Chemical). During the Gulf War the new term coined by Americans was Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). Post 9/11 people feared terrorists trying to use CBRN. Therefore, the concept of radiological bombs or devices or later commonly called ‘Dirty Bombs’ also came about. The development and acquisition of these weapons by terrorist organisations changed the term from NBC changed to CBRN. About 2 decades ago this subject was purely in the military domain. Post-9/11 it began covering civil defence, internal security, etc. CBRN then encompassed other threats like chemical accidents in an industry like Bhopal gas tragedy, Vizag last year, Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident or the Fukushima radiation accident in Japan. Hazards from biological materials are SARS, MERS, Swine flu, Ebola epidemics in Africa and coronavirus pandemic. CBRN not just talks about nuclear weapons or weaponisation, it covers natural (diseases, environmental issues), accidental to manmade and warfare-related threats such as Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Syria.

Q. CBRN attacks in the world have had a huge impact. How lethal are they?

A. CBRN substances are highly toxic whether they are biological pathogens, radiation emitting substances or hazardous chemicals in industry. These substances cause health hazards to humans, animals and plants. Even milligrams of these substances can cause death. The effect will differ depending on the type of agent, its intensity and mode of usage. In chemical agents the effect is immediate. A lot of them are very volatile and not so persistent and therefore largely short lived. A chemical agent will not contaminate other people unless the chemical agent is present with him. A bioagent takes time to manifest. Depending on the incubation period, the manifestation periods and the virulence of that agent, people will develop symptoms of different kinds which may take a few hours to 10-20 days for manifestation. A contagious type of bioagent will be very difficult to control. A bioagent goes on and on till vaccine is found or herd immunity is generated or innate immunity is strong. Radiation affects silently. Starts showing its effect only when the organs start getting affected after some time of exposure. It has no sound or colour. Intense radiation will start causing discomfort, internal injuries, skin burns, etc. Each agent is highly deadly.

Modern CBRN warfare began with Word War I when Germany used tons of chemical weapons on allied forces when thousands of tons of chlorine, phosgene, sulphur mustard (a blister agent) were used extensively. But the nerve agents came up mostly post-WW2 wherein most countries who were researching on this subject developed nerve agents in a big manner. Even bioagents are being researched and developed. And today nerve agents are one of the most feared agents as far as chemical warfare is concerned. As of today, going by the reports, there are still about 17-18 countries which could be having chemical and biological warfare agents.

There are reports of ISIS and Al Qaeda using chemical weapons in Syria. Many terror organisations have shown interest in CBRN weapons. From mass casualties we are now witnessing assassination attempts with CBRN agents like Alexander Litvinenko (Polonium), Kim Jong-Nam (VX nerve agent), Sergei and Julia Skripal and recently Alexei Navalny (Novichok nerve agent). CBRN technologies are multiplying as we talk today.

Q. Is there a CBRN security paradigm internationally. Do you see a possibility of a nuclear attack? 

A. There are international protocols under the UN umbrella against the use of CBRN weapons. Signatory states are banned from developing, stocking, using and trading any of these and even associated dual use materials. We already have the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC), the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and the recently enacted Nuclear Weapons Convention (NWC). So, a state using CBRN weapons in open conflict is doubtful. But nothing stops terrorists from using these weapons. Crowded places, critical infrastructure and high visibility events are most vulnerable. As far as nuclear weapons, two of our immediate neighbours do pose a threat. But nuclear weapons today have become more of a deterrence tool than an actual weapon for the battlefield.

Q. Do we have a strategy or doctrine in place for CBRN security in India?

A. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is the official body for CBRN consequence management in India. We do have nodal ministries; for Chemicals it is MoEFCC, Bio and health it is MoHFW, and the DAE manages radiation and nuclear matters. However, we don’t yet have a comprehensive national CBRN security strategy. There is little related to CBRN under the national security or internal security paradigm. India has many laws dealing with various aspects of CBRN from production, stockpiling, transportation, illegal use, smuggling, waste products, by-products, imports and exports. We need to look at CBRN security in totality, i.e from crisis prevention to consequence management since CBRN intelligence and counter proliferation is an important aspect of concern.

Q. Do defence forces train their soldiers for CBRN security and threat?

A. Yes, the defence forces have been training and equipping for CBRN defence since the early 1980s. Our armed forces have developed a good amount of research and expertise in this field.

Q. How can we prepare ourselves for CBRN threats?

A. First, the government needs to look at CBRN threats from the national security perspective and develop a comprehensive CBRN security strategy covering threat analysis, prevention strategy, management and response mechanism. Sound intelligence and strict enforcement are very important. Much work has been done in the radiological and biological fields. Our lesser explored area is chemical management and we need to work on this post haste. India has an emerging state-of-the-art CBRN industry which needs necessary empowerment.

For the people, raising awareness and enhancing civic responsibility is most essential. Savitribai Phule Pune University Pune is one that has a dedicated post-graduate diploma on CBRN Protection and National Security.

Around the globe, civil aviation has been a sector that has propelled economic growth, promoted social development and created access. On the other hand, it has also had a limited detrimental impact on our environment, especially on the local environment, as aircraft and airport operations contribute to air, water, soil and noise pollution.

In October 2016, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) decided to launch an initiative to limit emissions from international aviation. Global consciousness around this has driven numerous policy-based solutions to be implemented in the sector regarding the efficient operation of aircraft and airports.

As we celebrate World Environment Day in United Nations Decade of Ecosystem Restoration, it is fitting to look at the Indian civil aviation sector and the efforts taken to step into the next era of aviation, with environmental and ecosystem preservation as a core tenet.

Pre-Covid, India was the third-largest domestic aviation market globally, with approximately 140 million passengers traveling annually. The country is poised to become the third-largest overall market in three years. With just 7.3% of the population using aviation as a mode of transportation, the growth potential in the sector is immense.

While Covid-19 has undoubtedly disrupted the sector, we are making a resilient and robust comeback as we revitalise our economy. Push for initiatives like the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme, which independently assesses and recognises the efforts of airports to manage and reduce their carbon emissions through 6 levels of certification, is a timely intervention to combat climate change.

India has been following the programme since 2014. Recognising that the Indian aviation sector will undergo exponential growth in the coming years, addressing the environment and sustainability concerns is a top priority for us.

Delhi Airport is the first airport in the Asia-Pacific region to have achieved “Level 3+, Neutrality” accreditation in 2016 and “Level 4+, Transition”, the highest accreditation in 2020. Other airports like Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bangalore International Airports have achieved Level 3+ Airport Carbon accreditation.

Airports Authority of India has been taking the lead in implementing technical fixes for route optimisation like shortening and straightening major air routes, Reduced Horizontal Separation and Performance-based Navigation (PBN). In consultation with Indian Air Force, AAI has optimised airspace utilisation under the Flexible Use of Airspace (FUA) initiative. Estimated annual CO2 emissions reduction by establishing the 32 conditional routes come to about 2 lakh metric tonnes.

Initiatives to promote the adoption and promotion of renewable energy use at Indian airports have also been initiated. Since 2014, the installed solar capacity has increased by 44 MWp at 44 airports, helping us achieve a carbon emission reduction of approximately 57,600 tonnes of CO2 per annum at AAI Airports.

Today, Delhi Airport sources 100% of its energy demand through renewable energy sources. Similarly, with an installed solar power capacity of 40 MWp, Cochin International Airport has become the first fully solar-powered airport in India.

In tandem, initiatives to promote energy conservation and monitoring have also been brought into the fold through regular energy audits. Since 2014, review audits to assess the effectiveness of implementation measures of previous audits have already been completed for 50 airports.

Also, under the National LED programme (UJALA-Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All), AAI has aimed to replace conventional light fixtures with LED fittings at 85 airports. The work has been completed at 81 airports, and at four airports, the work is in progress.

Infrastructure building, which is another essential aspect of an expanding civil aviation industry in the country, has been brought under a green and sustainability focus. Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru International Airports have already received a ‘Gold rating’ by the International Green Building Organisation, LEED. While Jammu, Chandigarh and Tirupati airports have received a “4-star rating” by Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA), which is India’s very own green building rating system.

The AAI has also taken the initiative on waste and water management by minimising the wastage of potable water by processing wastewater and reusing treated water. The Sewage Treatment Plants (STP) and Rainwater harvesting are provided/planned with every existing/new project.

Through the ‘UDAN: Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik’ scheme, 100 new airports are being built to increase access to civil aviation in the country. This development will benefit from the decisions made in hindsight, as green infrastructure, energy efficiency, waste management, and efficient transportation have become vital aspects of India’s expanding civil aviation sector.

Over the next decade, finding the appropriate balance between ecology, economy, and society will be crucial. The development in India’s civil aviation sector, which is synchronous with preserving and restoring our environment and ecosystems, is the key to unlocking a safe, healthy and prosperous future for our citizens and remains a cornerstone philosophy of the Modi government.

The writer is Union Minister for Civil Aviation. The views expressed are personal.

CHANDIGARH

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Wednesday asked Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Tomar to hold fresh talks with agitating farmers to understand why they wanted the three farm laws to be repealed instead of outrightly rejecting this demand.

Calling upon the NDA government to be sensitive to the pain and anguish of farmers who were agitating against the three farm laws, the SAD President said, “it is shocking that the NDA government is effectively telling farmers that there is no space for discussion in a democracy”. He added that it was equally more shocking that besides ruling out any talks on taking back the three laws, Narendra Tomar had asserted that the agricultural laws were in the interest of farmers.

“It seems the NDA government is firm in its desire to toe the line of the corporate sector which wants an end to the minimum support price system and assured government purchase of food grains. There can be no other reason for rejecting the appeal of the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha to hold talks to resolve the crisis,” said Badal. He asserted that it was unfortunate that the Central government has still not realised the ills of the three agricultural laws despite holding several rounds of talks with Kisan leaders.

“This indicates that they are firm on being intransigent and not accepting the genuine demands of the farmers at any cost. Simultaneously, the government has done everything within its power to suppress the peaceful and democratic movement and continues to attempt to dislodge farmers from the Singhu and Tikri protest sites,” added Badal.

Insisting that the agitating farmers could not hold talks on issues other than the repeal of the three black laws, Badal said, “this has already been made very clear to the Centre. The farmers have rejected all overtures that are aimed at destabilising the Kisan Andolan without accepting the core demand for repeal of the farm laws. I appeal to Narendra Tomar to hold unconditional talks with the agitating farmers and accept their demands in the interest of the farming community.”

Monsoon has arrived in Mumbai with heavy rains on Tuesday. The city saw rain on Tuesday morning and these heavy showers resulted in flooding in many parts of Mumbai. The monsoon arrived a day before and has created difficulties for the Mumbaikars. It is for the first time in many years that the first day of Monsoon has disrupted the lives of Mumbaikars. “Monsoon has arrived in Mumbai today, normal arrival date is 10 June every year so it has arrived before the average arrival date,” said Dr Jayanta Sarkar, Deputy Director General (DDG), IMD Mumbai.

The IMD had predicted a cloudy sky with thundershowers in the city and suburbs. There is also a possibility of heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places for four days. The weather department had earlier warned of heavy rains in Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, and Konkan areas from 9 to 12 June.

Several parts of Mumbai city and suburban areas received heavy rainfall along with thunder and lightning in the morning. According to the IMD, Colaba received 138 mm of rainfall and Santacruz 196 mm. A high Tide of 4.22m at 11.50 am on Wednesday morning also caused the flooding with heavy rainfall.

Andheri subway, Milan and Khar subways, flooded with water, were closed for people. Navi Mumbai and Thane also witnessed flooding due to the heavy downpour.

Local train services were suspended due to water-logging in some railway tracks. Routes of some BEST buses were diverted. The heavy downpour also saw heavy traffic on the eastern and western highways as buses and trains were either suspended, diverted, or commuting less.

Brihanmumbai Corporation (BMC) chief Iqbal Singh Chahal on Tuesday held an emergency review meeting with corporation officials on monsoon preparedness. The meteorological department has forecasted heavy rainfall in the city within the next few days.

The meeting was regarding sanitation work, the BMC chief instructed the completion of de-silting and cleaning of sewage lines at the earliest.

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray reviewed heavy rains in and around Mumbai and considering the possibility of heavy rains, the Chief Minister had instructed the Disaster Management Department to convene a meeting and keep all the agencies ready and vigilant.

CM Uddhav Thackeray has also directed the police and other agencies to take immediate action to remove the obstructions in Mumbai. The IMD has predicted heavy rainfall for the next 48 hours.

Gandhinagar: While some restrictions in the state have been relaxed, other restrictions will be relaxed from 6 am on June 11, 2021. According to decisions taken by Chief Minister Vijay Rupani at the core committee meeting, the restaurant and hotel can operate with 50% seating capacity from 11 to 26 June from 9 am to 7 pm. People can opt for takeaways until 9 pm and home delivery until 12 midnight.

All shops, commercial units, lorries, shopping complexes, market yards, salons, beauty parlours and other commercial activities will be open from 9 am to 7 pm. The Chief Minister has decided to extend the existing time limit by an hour.

The libraries can operate with 50% seating capacity and the gardens will also be open during this period from 6 am to 7 pm. The gymnasium with 50% capacity will be open. Taking into account the interest of the students who have to appear for the exams required to study abroad, the CM has permitted to conduct these exams. Political, social, religious, and cultural programs in the state can be held with maximum 50 people.

All religious places in the state will be open to the public. But it is important to ensure that no more than 50 devotees are gathered at a time. SOP compliance is necessary for all these. Public bus services will be continued with 60% passenger capacity.