JOURNEY IN RMS COMPARTMENT -2

It was probably during the 1990s. There was a meeting arranged at Ranchi(Bihar) and I was to participate in the same. I had boarded the night train from Delhi which will reach Patna at about 10.00 hours. After a meeting there, along with Bihar Circle Union leaders will go to Ranchi by the night train starting at about 19.00 hours.

At about 06.00 hours in the morning the train stopped at a very small station. Even after a long time the train did not start. Passengers got out, started enquiring why the train was not proceeding. We were told that two persons have been murdered / killed in the rail track somewhere near Patna and all the trains in the area,including  Patna are stopped and protest demonstrations are going on. There was very less chance of the train proceeding to Patna for some time. There was not even a tea stall in the station. There was a small road connected to the station and we saw a small tea stall about half a mile away on that road. Along with some other passengers went to the shop and had tea and biscuits. Within no time all the snacks etc.in the shop was over.

No train was coming from Patna side or going to Patna. At about 14.00 hours , the train started and was moving very slowly, because there was doubt about sabotage on the tracks. Then we saw some trains coming from Patna side. At last at about 18.00 hours, the  train reached Patna Junction.

I have never seen such crowd in any station in my life before or later. There were trains in all the 8 or 9 platforms.There was not even an inch free in the platforms and it was even difficult to get down in to the platform.It was number 4 or 5 platform.  Usually our comrades will be in the platform waiting for my arrival, but this time it was impossible for them to come to the platform not only because there was no way of intimating them since mobile services has not started so far, but even if they knew, they could not come to the platform because of the heavy rush.

Some how, I got down with my suit case and tried to proceed to the first platform  where RMS office will be there, where I can contact our comrades over phone.Inch by inch I was able to move towards the steps and then to the overbridge to proceed  to the first platform. There was so much rush and pushing between the passengers going this side and that side that I was pressed in between people without even able to breathe.I was pushed to the side of the overbridge. For a second I thought of throwing the suitcase out and jumping on the train standing still on the track through the side of the overbridge and save myself. Fortunately before I could proceed with my drastic action , a miracle happened. A big sturdy railway porter with a lot of luggage on his head just overtook me and was going forward and I took the opportunity to walk just behind him closely.This way, I was able to reach the first platform following him.

I went to the RMS office. Coms.B.P.Singh, Circle Secretary, Shakuntala Gond, President, S.R.Sharma and other comrades were waiting there not knowing what to do in my absence. There was no time to take bath or wash as the train to Ranchi will be leaving in a short time from Platform No. 8 or 9. Hastily had tea and some snacks and we all proceeded to the platform from where the train starts. Somehow we reached. The train was full as usual.

Our Comrades told that it will be better to travel in the RMS compartment. RMS comrades were also happy as they can discuss union matters. In addition to the seats, there were four sleeping berths in the compartment. Two berths were occupied by the family of the RMS Superintendent. Other two berths were given to us. One was taken by me. Due to extreme exhaustion I prepared to sleep.  

At this stage a police constable came and asked the RMS employees to provide a berth for their Inspector to sleep. Employees told that all the berths are occupied by RMS employees. He pointed out at us and said that we are not RMS employees. But the RMS workers stood to their position.Within minutes , the police constable came along with an RPF constable. Since the RMS workers knew the RPF constable he did not intervene and told the police constable that we are only RMS workers.

The train started moving and we thought that the problem was over. But when the train stopped in the next station , the police constable  came again and blocked the entry to the compartment. He has brought the TTI as well as the Police Inspector to create further trouble. Since we felt that it will create problems for the RMS workers, we silently got down from the compartment by the door on the opposite side and got in to an ordinary compartment from that side.( Later we were told by the RMS staff, that when the TTI, RPF  etc. checked, they could not find anybody except the Superintendent’s family and were put to shame.).

We somehow managed in the congested ordinary compartment , and reached Ranchi safely.

RIKSHA RIDE IN JAIPUR

It was sometime in the 1970s. The All India Conference of the AITEEU Class III was being held at Jaipur, Rajasthan. Myself and life partner Pankajam were delegates to the Conference. We were accommodated in a dharmasala some distance away from the Conference Hall. There were other delegates also.

After the session for the day, when we started to return it was already late and was becoming dark, may be around 07.00 PM. We engaged a hand pulled riksha, which only was available, and told the driver our destination.

We reached a steep hill and it became very difficult for the driver to go up the hill with both of us in the riksha.Hence I got down and walked beside the riksha pushing it from behind, so that the weight will be reduced and he will be able to go up the hill. Pankajam was sitting in the riksha.

I was thinking that the riksha will stop at the top and I can climb in. But when the riksha reached the top it started going down very fast. I could not get in and was stranded there.

I became panicky seeing the riksha going fast with Pankajam in it. I shouted to the driver to stop.I could hear her also shouting to stop.But the riksha was going down very fast without stopping. I was afraid to the core that he may disappear any time with my her.

I am not a good runner , but now ran as fast as never have, down the hill and somehow caught up with the riksha by the time it reached the level area. He had stopped the riksha and I got in. He apologised stating that he thought that I have got in at the top itself and later understood that I was not there but could not stop the riksha while it was going down the hill.

We reached the dharmashala safely. Pankajam told me that she was very much afraid and was shouting to the driver to stop and was also thinking of jumping from the riksha.

Anyway, everything ended well.

V A N 29.05.2026

Express strong protest against unjustified raid at Opposition leader Com.Pinarayi’s house .

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!