New Delhi, Oct. 9 -- A couple of years ago, as I went through security check at Bengaluru's swanky international terminal, complete with wall gardens and food franchises of companies owned by celebrity chefs from the West, my computer bag was taken aside for inspection.

The CISF person said my massage ball, made of rubber with spikes, could be used as a weapon; I would have to check it in. I appealed to his supervisor. He gravely agreed with his colleague's assessment. Rather than go back to the check-in counter, I suggested the supervisor and his team use it as a massage ball.

A fortnight ago, a security-check guard found a tennis ball in my backpack and examined it with a thoroughness that would have befitted a hand-grenade. After rec...