Secretary’s Digest - Welcome to s Digest Jan. – Apr. 2013 Vol. 19 – Iss. 1 STANDING HIGH IN CHALLENGING TIMES nd5 22 ASA Congress in 2014 Karachi - Pakistan DSSP NEWS Members

Secretary’s Digest A Publication of the Distinguished Secretaries’ Society of Pakistan

January – April 2013 Volume 19 – Issue 1

Association of Secretaries and Administrative

Professionals in Asia Pacific

22nd ASA Congress 2014 Karachi – Pakistan

Standing High in

Challenging Times

EDITORS’ NOTE

Dear Members, Thank you for giving me the opportunity to edit the Secretary’s Digest once again. This is your news bulletin and I would welcome your comments on anything you would like published. Please contact me at [email protected] As you are aware, the DSSP will be hosting the 22nd ASA Congress in Karachi around September next year. The Congress is a wonderful opportunity to meet and exchange experiences, thoughts and ideas with secretaries from the Asian world, especially so for someone who has never attended a Congress. To make this event a success, your Executive Committee needs all the help it can get. Please volunteer your assistance in any way you can. I have revived the interviews that were published some years ago. This time, I would like to interview only secretaries. The reason is (i) to recognize our secretaries for their hard work and dedication, and (ii) to learn from their expertise and years of experience. Spenta Mavalvala, whose profile is in this issue, very sportingly consented to an interview as soon as I approached her. Thank you Spenta! If any of you would like the interview of a secretary you know printed, please let me have her contact. In “Why Mentors are Vital for your Career”, I was especially touched and wanted to share with you Marlene’s reminiscences. I’m sure it will bring to mind many memories for you. Speaking of memories, the DSSP is 42 years old and I’m sure most of you have some wonderful memories of earlier days. Not only of the Society but of secretarial life in Karachi of the ‘50’s, ‘60’s, ‘70’s. Please do share some of that with us. A short paragraph of perhaps 200 – 300 words. Old photographs will be much appreciated. Would you like to see a Question / Answer page in the Digest dedicated solely to secretaries where you have the option to ask for advice / discuss problems etc. faced by you. An HR Professional will respond. You may send in your questions anonymously (if you desire) to the suggestions / feedback page on our website. Goretti Ali Editor

mailto:[email protected]

Secretary’s Digest Jan. – Apr. 2013 Vol. 19 – Iss. 1

STANDING HIGH IN CHALLENGING TIMES 2

22nd ASA Congress in 2014 Karachi - Pakistan

IN THIS ISSUE

Introductions 2 - 4

DSSP News 5 - 6

News from 7 – 8

the ASA World

Profile 9

Workplace 10 - 11

Stay Safe 12

INTRODUCTIONS

Maharukh Bhiladwala - DSSP & ASA President

I was educated at St. Joseph’s Convent School and started secretarial classes whilst still at school. My career in the secretarial/administration field spans 46 years. I have been Editor of one of the earliest news bulletins of the DSSP, Social Secretary and finally President. I have held this post on and off since 1979 and am now on my tenth term, making me the longest-serving DSSP President since inception. As DSSP’s President at the 9th Congress of Secretaries in Karachi in 1990, I became President of the Association of Secretaries & Administrative Professionals in Asia-Pacific (ASA), and am currently ASA President for the 2013-14 term, as DSSP is hosting the 22nd ASA Congress in 2014, the second time for Pakistan. I am also the only Pakistani to have been awarded a medal and mementos by ASA for attendance at 10 Secretarial Congresses, one as member, eight as President DSSP and one as President DSSP & ASA. I was on the Panel of Judges for the First Professional Secretaries’ Award in Manila, Philippines in October 1994 and on the Judges’ Panel in Karachi, Pakistan’s four Professional Secretaries’ Awards in 1996, 1998, 2000 and 2004. I enjoy travel, movies, public speaking, scripting and acting in comedy skits in English, Urdu and Gujrati.

Jacqueline D’Souza – ASA Congress Chairperson

I am a passionate, optimistic and dedicated woman who takes up responsibilities with utmost enthusiasm and see that I complete my assignments in time. My optimistic and planned approach in things I do is what drives me towards my success. I love music – a good inclination towards romantic songs and a lot of dancing. I do selectively read books mostly fiction and fantasy. I love taking part in plays and have taken part in few of the nativity plays held in the Church. I’ve been in the DSSP for several years and have worked in different portfolios in the Executive Committee. I have attended three ASA Congresses in Indonesia, Malaysia and Dhaka.




Najiba Quettawalla – Treasurer

I have served three terms on DSSP’s executive committee as Treasurer from 2007 to date with a short gap during the 2011-2012 tenure. I am working for Emirates Airlines as an Executive Secretary to the Country Manager. This has been an eventful journey of 23 years plus!! On a personal level I am a proud grandmother!!

Clara Lidwina D’Souza – Secretary

I’ve been a member of the DSSP for about 15 years and am serving my third term on the Executive Committee. Each of which were in different portfolios and I’ve enjoyed every one. I was also a member of DSSP’S delegation to the 21st ASA Congress in Dhaka. Presently I’m Executive Secretary to the CEO of Aisha Steel Mills Limited which is located at Bin Qasim. I have been working as a Secretary for about 30 years. I reside in Saddar and am an active member of my parish and community. My three children are in school and college and my passion is photography and travelling.

Afroze Tungekar – Joint Secretary

I started my career with PEMCON and worked there from 1975 to 1976. I joined Pakistan Oxygen in August 1976 and worked with them up to August 1981 to take up a senior position in Aspro-Nicholas where I spent more than 15 years. In August 1997 I joined Clariant Pakistan Limited with whom I am still associated. My hobbies are travelling and sight-seeing.

Samantha Antonia Rodrigues – Social Secretary

I am working as a Secretary to the National Director of Pontifical Mission Societies of Pakistan. I am an active member of my parish. I have cultivated a missionary spirit and I render it not only to my parish but even to the Archdiocese of Karachi. I have contributed many articles to ‘The Christian Voice’. I love to plan, organize and execute events. My hobbies are reading and writing. My mission in life is to “reach out to the unreached!”

Goretti Ali – Editor News Bulletin

I enjoy travelling, art & handwork and research writing. I have contributed articles to various publications including the ‘Christian Voice’ and ‘Femnet’ and am actively involved in my parish and community. My children are at university and college level and my husband has retired from the Consulate of Japan as their Political & Economic Analyst. This is my second term on the DSSP Executive Committee as Editor News Bulletin. I was part of the delegation to Brunei (1997), Sri Lanka (2000) and Bangladesh (2012). At Brunei I participated in the Professional Secretaries Award (PSA) having won DSSP’s First PSA in 1996.




Natasha Z. Mavalvala – ASA Coordinator

I’m working as an Executive Secretary to the Country Manager Pakistan Saudi Arabian Airlines. Have 29 years of service. I am a mother of three. My eldest son has graduated with a Bachelors in Biological Anthropology from Canada. I love travelling, doing community / social work and am a part of three committees. I also love dancing and handiwork.

Zainab Hakimuddin – Executive Member

I had been working for Pakistan State Oil Company for 30+ years and retired last year. I have a son who is presently working for the same company. I have studied and graduated from St. Joseph School and College. Currently I am serving as an Executive Member on the Executive Committee of DSSP .This is my second term on the committee. Presently I am enjoying my retired life at home. My hobbies are reading and watching TV.

Clara Ann D’Souza – Executive Member

I have been a member of the DSSP since the 1990’s. This is my first term on the DSSP Executive Committee as Executive Member. I am currently working for Faysal Bank Limited for the last six years. I have a daughter who is studying in St. Joseph’s Convent High School and a son who is studying in St. Paul’s English High School. I enjoy reading, travelling and watching movies.

Caroline Charles – Executive Member

I have been a member of the DSSP since 2004 and this is my first term on the Executive Committee. I was part of the delegation to Bangladesh at the ASA Congress last year. I have been a secretary since 1993 and am presently working for Lakson Group of Companies. I am an active member of the Women’s Sodality and Women’s Guild. I have three children who are studying at St. Joseph’s and St. Patrick’s Schools.

Cheryl Mathew – Ex-Officio and Immediate Past President

I may come across to be a stern and quiet person but in reality I am a fun loving person, cracking jokes at every appropriate opportunity- that’s me! I studied at St Josephs’ Convent and so does my daughter. I was brought up in a strict disciplined environment. As a teenager I was a member of the Legion of Mary, at St Patrick’s Parish. I am a doer and don’t simply take no for an answer. I love cooking…and eating! I also love to cook for family and friends. When time permits, one will find me reading, my favorite being the Reader’s Digest. I have been serving on the DSSP Executive Committee since 2005, and have enjoyed each term! I have attended four ASA Congresses, in Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Dhaka.




DSSP NEWS

Members were happy with the venue and voted on the

Club being used again.

Tea Meeting at Services Club The new Executive Committee of the DSSP had their first tea meeting on Sat. 26 January, 2013 at the Services Club, formerly known as The Union Jack Club. This was a new venue, chosen for its convenience and affordable rates. The event was the annual “Grumble Session” or “Shout Out” as it is sometimes called. Maharukh Bhiladwala (MOK), the President opened the meeting welcoming all and wishing them a happy and peaceful 2013! She then briefed everyone on the 22nd ASA Congress scheduled to be held in Karachi next year tentatively from 14 September. As this is usually vacation time in the Far East, it would ensure maximum participation. The theme is STANDING HIGH IN CHALLENGING TIMES! Sub-Committees are required to handle Fund-Raising, Logistics, Entertainment, Publicity and the Choir. The DSSP asked members to volunteer for these sub-committees in their circular of 15 January, 2013. Sheets were also passed around and members volunteered. Members voiced their thoughts and ideas which MOK and the Executive Committee answered and a general discussion ensued. A game was played before tea and snacks were served by the Services Club. Natasha Mavalvala was the lucky winner correctly guessing 19 out of 20 logos. Members were happy with the venue and voted on the Club being used again. We closed for the evening at 6.00 pm.

Photographs – Courtesy Clara Lidwina D’Souza




Vaccination is the primary means of preventing

Cervical Cancer.

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can't

--you're right.” – Henry Ford

UPCOMING EVENTS

Leisure Day 30 June

Eid Luncheon 11 Aug.

42nd Anniv. Gala 28 Sept.

Year-end Luncheon 8 Dec.

Secretary’s Day at the Marriott The DSSP celebrated Secretaries Day (which is observed on the 4th Wed. in April) on Sunday 28 April at the Hotel Marriott, with talks, presentations, question and answer sessions, lucky dips, gift vouchers and cash prizes galore. The memento for 2013 was a keychain with an embedded watch and the DSSP logo. Dr. Huma Naz of GSK, (Glaxo Smith Kline) producers of the Cervical Cancer Vaccine, discussed the awareness of cervical cancer. This is the 2nd most common cancer in women and is caused by a viral (Human Papillomavirus) infection. Not all HPV infections cause cancer. Some clear naturally, some lead to cancer. There are no symptoms in the early stages. When one notices symptoms, it is usually too late to cure. Vaccination is the primary means of prevention and regular cervical screening i.e. the Pap Smear test. The vaccine is best taken before marriage. The dosage is an injection each at zero, one and six months. The vaccination does not exclude one from the Pap Smear test every three years. Our 2nd speaker was the vibrant and lively trainer Ms. Arshi Ahmed Aziz of ITC (The Institute of Training and Consultancy) who has conducted a number of sessions for the DSSP in the past. Her theme was, as the Congress’ “Standing High in Challenging Times”. Arshi spoke on many subjects that contribute to success. Perception / Attitude / Behaviour / Communication / Managing Time / Assumptions / Skills and Attributes. She gave several examples on each, accompanied by video clips. Everything depends on one’s attitude / behavior towards an event and their perception / assumption of it. Everyone has heard about the child spilling tea on her parents’ clothes just before leaving for school/work. If the parent takes the accident with understanding, all goes well, if not, all have a terrible day. If you are not able to communicate properly with your colleagues and superiors you might pass on the wrong message or misunderstand instructions. It’s important to choose your words with care and to speak at the right time. One can always work towards improving a skill or developing an attribute. Attaining success and proficiency is an ongoing process. Both speakers were presented with token gifts from the DSSP. The talks were followed by a game of collecting 15 everyday use items. At 1.30 pm we broke for a sumptuous lunch at the Dumpukht Restaurant. The day closed with a round of tombola and a hot cup of tea.




NEWS FROM THE ASA WORLD

PSWA’s Exe. Com. Mtg. 9 Mar. 2013

IASAP at Nilshai

PSWA (Professional Secretaries Welfare Association) of Bangladesh held their elections on 5 January 2013 and a new Executive Committee was formed. The President is Ms. Mahmuda Ara along with nine members.

PSWA’s new Executive Committee

PSWA’s first Executive Committee Meeting was held on Sun. 9 March where the President Ms. Mahmuda Ara thanked the last committee for the accomplishment of the 21st ASA Congress. Hand over / take over between the old and new Committees also took place.

____________________ On 19 January 2013 Cathay Pacific hosted a tea meeting for IASAP (All India Association of Secretaries and Administrative Professionals) where they briefed members about their operations in India, China and Hong Kong. On Sat. 23 February IASAP organized a session on self-defense for its members. Mr. Elroy Vaz, an instructor with Krav Maga Global Systems exhibited simple unarmed civilian self-defense techniques with emphasis on striking, escape and safety tips. Krav Maga means “Close Combat” in Hebrew and is an Israeli Combat Martial Arts form of self-defense. This event was held at Fariayas Hotel, Colaba. IASAP organized an educational tour to a YMCA Camp lake side at Nilshi, a remote hill village close to Pune on 9 & 10 March 2013. This included a tour of the area, games and group sharing aimed at enhancing the quality of the work environment. The sessions included ‘Killing close ended questions’, ‘Spend your day wisely’ ‘The Fallacy of Assumptions’ and ‘Goal Setting’. A morning trek cum nature walk was also included.

____________________ MAPSA (Malaysian Association of Professional Secretaries and Administrators) celebrated their 45th Anniversary on 26 April 2013. Celebrations began with a Gala dinner on Friday evening.

____________________ At the 3rd Management Council meeting which was held on 5 January 2013, Ms. Wu Woon Lane of SAAP (Singapore Association of Administrative Professionals) was the lucky winner of the ‘Crabtree & Evelyn Ultimate Luxuries’ for her prompt renewal of 2013 membership. SAAP thanks members, who’ve paid their subscriptions by 31 December, 2012.




Children at Mith Sevana

SAAP organized a seminar “The Next Executive Wave” on Tue. 23 April 2013. The sessions included “The Hidden Power to Building” and “The Power of Colours: How to tell a Personality through colours and clothes”. SAAP closed Secretarial Week by a weekend trip to Kuala Lumpur joining in MAPSA’s 45th Anniversary celebrations on 26 April 2013.

____________________ On 5 January 2013 which was Founder’s Day, the members of SLAAPS (Sri Lanka Association of Administrative & Professional Secretaries) visited Mith Sevana at Bellanthara, Dehiwela. Mith Sevana houses 72 special needs children. They are looked after, rehabilitated and trained in horticulture, making cloth mats and fancy items, sewing, playing musical instruments etc. These trades help them earn a living later in life. Lunch was served to the children and teachers by SLAAPS. SLAAPS held their elections on 27 January 2013 and a new Executive Committee took over. Ms. Lorna Caldera is President along with a 13 member team

____________________

WSAT (The Women Secretaries and Administrative Professionals Association of Thailand) elections for a new Committee were held in February and Ms. Panitta Ariyavicha with a nine member team was elected.




Spenta Mavalvala is the Personal Assistant to the Chief Executive, Standard Chartered Bank (Pakistan) Limited, a position she has held for 17 years. She started her career with Pakistan Tobacco Company where she worked for 12 years in the Personnel Department. When PTC moved to Islamabad she continued to work for a sister concern Allied Dunbar for two years.

Spenta is happily married and has two daughters. Nerissa studies at IBA and Zeritta is presenting giving her A Level exams and will be seeking admission in Indus Valley.

She has a passion for event management and has organised many functions both for her organisation and for friends and family.

__________________

I tend to plan in advance and am always prepared

for the unknown. Challenges are a „way of

life‟

„Life is what you make it‟; so treat each day in a

befitting manner.

___________________

A PROFILE

Spenta Mavalvala

What made you choose the secretarial profession? If you had a chance to choose again, would it be the same? When I embarked on my professional career I was a mere 21 years of age. At that point in time, my job focus was more for fun rather than monetary benefit. By nature I am a perfectionist and love challenges. Besides business as usual, I would get involved in everything and hence received a lot of appreciation. This got me more and more motivated. My hard work paid off and at a very early age, I reached the top of my career (Personal Assistant to the CEO). I still love my job and have been blessed to have excellent bosses but to be honest, sometimes I do feel frustrated as there is no more growth in the current portfolio unless I change my job profile completely. What is a normal work day like for you? I have a disciplined life style. Every morning before going to my seat I try to use the gym. I am normally at my desk by 8.45 a.m. to work till 7.00 p.m. Working at Chundrigar Road is a challenge. I reach home by around 7.30 p.m. Spend quality time with the family, especially my 92-year old dad who lives with me. The family dinner time is at 8.00 p.m. Now that my daughters are all grown up, I do have this extra time to watch TV, play with my pet dogs and read. I am not much of a party goer and prefer the comforts of my home especially during the working week. Who influenced you the most during your career? There are a number of people who have influenced me. One such person worth mentioning is Mehroo Pinheiro. Mehroo was the MD’s Secretary at Pakistan Tobacco Co. Thank you Mehroo for your guidance at the early stage of my career. This has helped me achieve and succeed not only in my professional but also my personal life. How do you balance your personal and professional life? I have two daughters, an understanding husband, an aging father, in-laws and two pets. For me, everyone around me is as important as my job. I avoid stress and deal with every situation logically and systematically. I tend to plan in advance and am always prepared for the unknown. Challenges are a ‘way of life’. I believe that if you work with devotion and dedication, your organisation will appreciate you and will stand by whenever you are in need. I have never missed a parent- teacher meeting or athletics or even an exhibition of my children. I have always been there to extend a helping hand during their exam days, taken my parents to the doctors whenever the need arose and dealt with all the household chores despite having a highly responsible job. I strongly believe it all begins with you and your mindset. What advice would you offer junior secretaries? Be honest with yourself, do not forget your values in life, work hard and prove your worth. ‘Life is what you make it’; so treat each day in a befitting manner.




Marlene Weaver retired from the Department of Defense in 2010 after 39 years of dedicated service. Weaver now teaches

leadership and management full time at the American Public University System, which offers 87 online degree programs through American Public University and American Military University. APUS’s relevant curriculum, affordability and flexibility help more than 100,000 working adults worldwide pursue degrees in a diverse variety of subjects

____________________

My mentor gave me support, guidance, and

self-confidence.

Through those years Dottie not only helped me learn but she gave me valuable

advice.

____________________

WORKPLACE

Why Mentors Are Vital For Your Career By Marlene Weaver

After more than 40 years of work experience I still look back to my early career and realize that a mentor had a huge impact on my success. My mentor gave me support, guidance, and self-confidence. In 1971 I was 17 years old, had just graduated high school, and was starting a new job with the federal government. I couldn’t afford to attend college full time, so I planned to go at night hoping that the government would help to pay for some of my courses. I graduated high school on a Sunday and began my job as a GS-2 clerk typist the very next day. I thought I was pretty special. The starting salary was $6,000 a year! I quickly advanced through several promotions until finally I was selected to fill the coveted position of a GS-5 budget clerk. My supervisor, Dottie, was a middle aged woman who had no children of her own. She dressed in her fancy suits each day and was always neat and fresh. She had long hair but always wore it up in a French twist to look professional. I especially respected the way she handled herself when higher bosses would come to see her. Dottie was well-respected but stood her ground when necessary. I remember wondering if I could ever emulate her. Dottie liked me and I respected her. Gradually she gave me more responsibility and over time I was promoted to a GS-6. Dottie told me that my degree would take some time and she wanted me to take a government test that would allow me to compete for a professional position without the degree. That test is no longer an option today, but 40 years ago it allowed non-degree holders to compete for positions that required a degree or equivalent. I never would have known about this test if it had not been for Dottie’s advice. I reluctantly took the test and passed. I applied for the GS-7 budget analyst position and received the promotion. Within three years, I was promoted to a GS-11 budget analyst and became Dottie’s deputy. Through those years Dottie not only helped me learn but she gave me valuable advice. She would sometimes correct my English when I spoke and she once told me that my skirt was too short for a working environment. One time Dottie suggested that I go home at lunch and change my outfit. I never got upset with her because she always reprimanded me in just the right way and somehow I always knew that she was right. Instead of making me feel stupid, she made me feel young and inexperienced. I wanted to be like Dottie in many ways so I always listened. She complimented me too and often told me how much she liked my work ethics. I gave up my lunch time more than once to please her and get the report she needed completed. Every once in a while Dottie would ask me to attend a meeting on her behalf. I felt intimidated and feared that I would be asked a question to which I didn’t know the answer. Before the meeting she would pull me aside and give me a little advice about when to speak, not to answer anything that I was not sure of, and always tell the person asking the

http://www.apu.apus.edu/index.htm

http://www.amu.apus.edu/index.htm




Master a New Skill

Start small.

Reflect along the way. Teach others.

Make the Most of Your Downtime.

Clearly schedule your time.

Shut off your devices. Create routine.

question that I would get back with an answer. She told me that people would respect me more if I admitted that I didn’t know something than to pretend that I did and possibly give incorrect information. Soon, she had me reviewing the work of others and guided me through the right and wrong ways to suggest that a task be done a certain way. In five years Dottie taught me more than any degree ever could and her guidance helped me to persevere through my degree program. A few years later Dottie retired. I still contacted her and asked for her advice on occasion. Now that she is 85 years old, we still send birthday and holiday cards. Thirty years after working with Dottie, at the age of 57, I retired from the Department of Defense with 39 years of service. I ended my Department of Defense career as a GS-15 managing dozens of people and millions of dollars. I completed my undergraduate degree and continued on to get my MBA. Now, I am pursuing a doctorate degree in Education to strengthen my professional competence as a professor. Where would I be without the early guidance and advice from Dottie, the best mentor a person could ever have? .

Courtesy “Office Pro”

Management Tips

Self-improvement is necessary in getting ahead. But whether you want to be better at public speaking, using social media, or analyzing data, how do you start? Here are three general rules to follow: Start small. Learning new skills can feel overwhelming. Focus on one

and break it down into manageable goals. For example, if you're trying to become more assertive, push yourself to talk in the first five minutes of a meeting.

Reflect along the way. Think about what you're learning, otherwise the new skill won't stick. Talk about your progress with others to get valuable feedback, keep you accountable, and cement the change.

Teach it to others. One of the quickest ways to learn something new, and to practice it, is to show others how to do it. Share what you learn with your team, your manager, or your co-workers.

It's hard to carve out time to relax in a 24/7 world. But just as it's healthy to focus at work — ignoring Face book and personal email — you must occasionally leave work behind. Here's how: Clearly schedule your time. Treat downtime like a work meeting:

Schedule it. Book evenings off, one to two days a week free of work and schedule vacations every year on your calendar, and stick to them.

Shut off your devices. Leave your laptop at the office when you can. Carry a phone for work and one for personal use — leave the work phone in your bag when you come home.

Create routines. Signal to your mind that it's time to start work, leave work, or engage with family by using rituals to transition from one kind of activity to the next.

Courtesy “HBR”

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STAY SAFE

In todays’ crime infested world, no one is truly safe anywhere! Each one of us needs to take responsibility for our personal safety. Crime = intent + opportunity. As we cannot eliminate the intent, we can do our best to remove the opportunity.

The most important point to remember is to always be alert and aware of your surroundings. You should know who is around you and any escape routes available.

Plan your defense/escape so that you can act instantly. You have just about 5 seconds to react/escape.

Do not use the same routes to and from home daily. Change routes and familarise yourself with the road which will confuse anyone watching you.

Inform your family when you reach your destination and on your way home. If you are late, they know something is amiss.

Blend in with the crowd. Never stand out. Whether it is the way you dress, behave, the car your drive, the accessories you carry etc.

If you notice someone staring at you shiftily, stare him down. Do not let him intimidate you.

Do not resist if you are confronted to hand over your phone, handbag, car. Your life is worth much more.

Note down a few general items that can be used to defend yourself. Your index and middle fingers can blind an attacker for a few seconds. A fist smashed into the side of your attackers’ neck just below the ear can briefly stun him. The palm of your hand smashed into his nose can temporarily stop him. The heel of your shoe into his foot. Perfume spray or insecticide in his eyes. Car keys or a nail file. Your actions need to be reflex as you have a few seconds before your assailant regains his senses.

Never put yourself into a position where you could be attacked. If for any reason you are in a vulnerable position …… experts’ say -

What should a woman do if she finds herself alone in the company of a strange male as she prepares to enter a lift in a high-rise apartment late at night? Enter the lift. If you need to reach the 13th floor, press all the buttons up to your destination. No one will dare attack you in a lift that stops on every floor.

What to do if a stranger tries to attack you when you are alone in your house? Run into the kitchen. You alone know where the chili powder and turmeric are kept. And where the knives and plates are. All these can be turned into deadly weapons. If nothing else, start throwing plates and utensils all over. Let them break. Scream. Remember that noise is the greatest enemy of a molester. He does not want to be caught.

Taking an Auto or Taxi at Night. Before getting into an auto at night, note down its registration number. Then use the mobile to call your family or friend and pass on the details to them in the language the driver understands .Even if no one answers your call, pretend you are in a conversation. The driver now knows someone has his details and he will be in serious trouble if anything goes wrong. He is now bound to take you home safe and sound. A potential attacker is now your de facto protector!

What if the driver turns into a street he is not supposed to - and you feel you are entering a danger zone? Use the handle of your purse or your stole (dupatta) to wrap around his neck and pull him back. Within seconds, he will feel choked and helpless. In case you don’t have a purse or stole just pull him back by his collar. The top button of his shirt would then do the same trick. If you are stalked at night. Enter a shop or a house and explain your predicament. If it is night and shops are not open, go inside an ATM box. ATM centers always have security guards. They are also monitored by close circuit television. Fearing identification, no one will dare attack you. What is important is to stay cool at all times. Think of everyday situations where you can be in trouble. And how you can save yourself.

After all, being mentally alert is the greatest weapon you can ever have. BE SAFE

Documents

Secretary’s Digest - Welcome to s Digest Jan. – Apr. 2013 Vol. 19 – Iss. 1 STANDING HIGH IN CHALLENGING TIMES nd5 22 ASA Congress in 2014 Karachi - Pakistan DSSP NEWS Members