TRAIN JOURNEY WITH A TEAM

It was June 1993. The Central Working Committee of the All India Telecom Employees Union Class III was going to be held at Kolkata. Since the revisionists had floated a parallel list of office-bearers and created problems, the deliberations of the CWC was going to be most important. Com.Moni Bose, General Secretary , as is his usual practice, made everything ready for the journey to Kolkata, including printing of Report & Accounts etc.

He contacted the office-bearers and other CWC members in Delhi and nearby circles (states) and planned to travel to Kolkata in the same train. Some will join from the stations on the way. One or two very big steel dabbas with full of rotis (chappattis ), subji (vegetables ),fruits and very tasty sweets were arranged with the help of Com.Raghubir Singh, our office staff, and Ghaziabad Comrades. About 20 / 25 comrades were there in the same sleeper compartment. North Indian comrades usually brought food and sweets from home even otherwise. It was a very happy journey.

Next day morning when we reached Howrah Railway station and got down from the train, there were a large number of leaders and workers waiting in the open space in the the platform with garlands and shawls to receive us. All were received with welcome slogans and garlands. Not only the leaders of Telecom, but that of Postal and CG employees were also there. W.Bengal and Kolkata were always a bastion of the progressive section and the reception was an expression of the same.

ഒരു ടെലിഫോൺ വിളി, ഒരു പോസ്റ്റ്‌ കാർഡ് , ഒരു മെസ്സേജ്, ഒരു വാട്സാപ്പ്,

ഒര് വാക്ക്, ഒരു ചിരി, ഒരു ആശ്ലേഷം, ഒരു ഹസ്തദാനം, ഓർമ്മ പുതുക്കൽ, ആദരം, പരിഭവം, കലഹം, ചായ കുടി, കൂട്ട ഫോട്ടോ, കൂട്ട നടത്തം ….

ആദരാഞ്ജലികൾ , അനുശോചനം, മരണാനന്തര ബഹുമതികൾ, സ്മാരകം, സ്മാരക പതിപ്പുകൾ….

എല്ലാം നല്ലത് തന്നെ. പക്ഷെ ഒന്നാം വകുപ്പേ കഥാനായകൻ / നായിക അറിയുന്നുള്ളൂ….

വി എ എൻ 21.05.2026

13th February is the death anniversary of two great leaders of the Central Government and P and T employees.

It was on this day in 2000 that Com.N.J.Iyer, the indomitable fighter for the cause of P and T and Central employees, left us forever.

It was on this day again, in 2015 that Com. S.K.Vyas, the legendary  leader of the Central government employees passed away.

Both of them were unparalleled fighters who led several struggles of the CG employees and achieved many results.

I had the fortune to be guided by them in my TU activities.  I came in touch with both of them after the 1968 historical strike and especially during the inhuman victimisation of the workers who went on strike. Whenever I went to Delhi, I got one free meal from Com. Iyer and staying place by Com. S.K.Vyas at the Confederation Office premises. I avoided  going to Dada Ghosh Bhawan, the CHQ of E.III since there was constant fight on the question of policies to be adopted and action organised with GS Com. O.P.Gupta.

After I shifted to Delhi in 1991 consequent to being elected as the President of E.3 Union (affiliated to NFPTE) there was constant touch and interaction with both of them, Com. Iyer as the GS of R.III Union and Com. Vyas as the SG Confederation. I still remember the confidence shown  by Com. Iyer, by handing over the valuable original typed copy of the Article by Com.Dada Ghosh  on ‘Origin of P&T Trade union movement’ which after getting typed a fresh copy, was returned to him.

Both were leaders with great vision  served the workers in very difficult situations. Their lifestyle was the simplest. Both prepared their own food and served others when there were visitors. Vyasji used to come to Delhi by Bus from Rajasthan and after getting down from the bus walked about one kilo meter to reach Confederation office opposite Sir Gangaram Hospital, till the last days. Iyer was not different. The image of Com. Iyer marching with a red cap in his head,  ahead of  thousands of P&T workers through the streets of Delhi after the P&T Convention in 1972, from West Patel Nagar to Boat Club near Central Secretariat for many kilometers, as the commander of an army  still inspires me. It was also noteworthy that the Communications Minister Shri H.N.Bahuguna,  came to the Raisina Junction and received the memorandum, instead of waiting  in his office for the delegation to come.

They were giants of the Trade Union movement who guided the workers at the most difficult times and showed the correct path to the future generations.

Red Salute to Com. N.J.Iyer and Com.S.K.Vyas on their death anniversary!

Comrade V I Lenin who led the socialist revolution in Russia and formed the USSR was a revolutionary all his life. USSR  collapsed by 1980s by inner contradiction, but there are many countries, including China, Vietnam, Cuba etc which have accepted Marxism as the guideline and is making all out efforts for bringing socialism.

Red Salute to Comrade Lenin, who changed history for the better!

19.01.2026  is the 17th death anniversary of one of the great trade union leaders of the country, Comrade E.Balanandan.  Throughout his entire life, he fought for the interest of the working class. From an ordinary worker, an electrician, he rose to as one of the top most TU leader in the country. He was the President of the CITU for a long time. He continued as a PBM of the CPI(M) for a long period. He functioned as a Member of Parliament also.

He was very closely connected with the P&T Trade Union movement. He was guide and advisor to the BSNL Employees Union. At all times of crises, he was there to help us. I was personally very close to him and I sought his advise in all trade union matters. He took our issues inside and outside Parliament.

On his death anniversary, I pay my respectful homage to this revolutionary leader! Red Salute to Comrade Balanandan!