I am now at Kochi – Ernakulam, the jewel of the Arabian Sea. It is the business hub and metro city of Kerala. I worked here for about one year in 1970-1971 after I along with some comrades were transferred after revocation of the suspension that followed the historic one day strike of 19th September 1968.
I was here exactly for one year till I was transferred back to Kozhikode as a result of sustained struggle by the Union.
We, four comrades, K.Bhaskaran Nair, K.Prabhakaran, P.K.Sahasranamam and myself, were transferred from Kozhikode to Ernakulam. Mnay other comrades were transferred to other places as part of the 1968 strike victimisation. 300 temporary officials were terminated from service.
Sustained struggle continued for about three years after which the Circle administration was compelled to take back all the terminated comrades. Suspensions were revoked. Most of the transfers were cancelled.
We were also granted transfer back to Calicut. Bhaskaran Nair, who became the Circle President and myself returned to Kozhikode. Bhaskaran Nair passed away about three years back. Prabhakaran, who died recently, continued at Ernakulam and was the leading light of the P and T and CGE movement. Shasranamam shifted to Trichur and continued his active union work.
Ernakulam was the centre of the P and T trade union movement at that time. In the telecom side we had very active cadres which organised struggle after struggle. Comrades like P.A.Kumaran (Kumarji), M.R.Rajendran, both leading advocates now, late K.Ayyappan (Ayyappaji) and so many other comrades were taking the leading role at that time. And I feel glad that I was there at that time.