Today I got an opportunity to meet an old comrade who has been sick and confined to his home. I am really happy that I could meet him and talk for some time.

I reached Mangalore today (4th Many 2011) morning from Banagalore. I was invited to participate and inaugurate the District Conference of BSNLEU at Managalore. After the morning session was over I got the opportunity to go and meet P.Appaji, who was the Asst. General Secretary of AITEE Union Class III(N) and is now retired from service. He was suffering from some rare disease and was hospitalised for a few months. He had to take many very costly injections ( one injection costing more than one lakh rupee) and is now at his home about 80 kms from Mangalore. Along with my wife and GB Salakki, AGS BSNLEU and P.Mukundan, Circle Org. Secretary, we went to this place near Brahmavaram after Udupi, about eighty kms from Mangalore. The place was forest earlier and now people have started staying clearing the forest.

We reached the residence of Appaji after enquiring to many people. Appaji aftr retirement has purchased some land with the retirement money and has shifted there. He is interested in agriculture and has started a small rubber plantation, some arecanuts, coconuts etc. When we reached there he was sitting in a chair outside the house. He was lean and pale due to illness. He was so happy to see all of us. His wife and elder son was also there. After the injection course and treatment he is better, but still very weak. He wanted to know about many things connected with union activities. We talked for a long time and had tea and idly. I honourd him by putting a shawl on his shoulders. And we came back quickly.

I was happy to meet him after a very long time. He had worked in HQ and sacrificed much for the organisation. Even now he wants to know about union matters and other developments. Many of our comrades are dedicated like that. They love the union above all things. This is the stregth of our union. Thousands of such dedicated workers and leaders we have got. I thank them and greet them for their concern for the union and their selfless service in the cause of the workers.