Journeys 32 – Loss of suit case at Kolkata

August 2005. Full preparations for 29th September 2005 Strike called by Sponsoring Committee of Trade Unions against anti-people, anti-worker policies of central government. Continuous tours all over India, including Kerala, M.P., UP West, Punjab, Orissa and W.Bengal.

Strike Convention jointly organized by four circles of W.Bengal viz. Kolkata Telephones, T and D, Telecom Stores and W.Bengal on 18th August. Reached Kolkata early morning by train. Bath and break-fast at Salt Lake City IQ. Somewhat far away from city. Com.J.N.Mishra, All India President, BSNLEU with me. We had to reach Telephone Bhawan by noon to attend a meeting before Convention. Hired taxi from IQ. Proceeded to Telephone Bhawan with luggage since had to catch flight scheduled at 20.00 hours to Bangalore. Ticket booked. After reaching Bangalore, we – my wife, daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter – will proceed early next morning to Kabani resort to spend 2-3 days there.
Heavy traffic. Taxi reached Telephone Bhawan late. Comrades waiting impatiently. As soon as we stepped down from car, were carried over to meeting place by large number of comrades, with shouting of slogans. Were provided tea and snacks. Meeting started in CTO Conference Hall by 17.00 hours. Senior leaders Comrades Moni Bose, Ananta Bhattacharya, others present. Com. Mishra and I addressed and explained matters.

After meeting, I was directly to go to airport to catch the flight. When asked for my suit case, comrades told that I got down from taxi with nothing in my hands. I realized with shock that I had forgotten to take suitcase from car- dickey. Driver also did not remind me. Neither Mishraji. Usually our comrades will be arranging their own cars, they will take the luggage also and I will be getting the same only when I return. As usual, I had thought that our comrades have taken care of the suit case.
What to do? Since I will be on tour for five-six days, I have taken half a dozen pants, shirts etc. There were some gifts to my granddaughter. There were two bank cheques for about Rs. 90,000/- from a friend which I was to hand over to my daughter. Books and union papers were also there. Fortunately, the flight ticket was in my pocket. I had not noted the number of the taxi. In a city like Kolkata, it is impossible to find the taxi without registration number.
I had to start for airport immediately to catch the flight. Otherwise, I may miss it. But, Com. Moni Bose and others advised to file a complaint to the police. We went to a nearby police station and gave written complaint. They started asking so many questions for filing FIR. I was worried about my flight. I was almost certain that I may not get the suit case back. Had the driver wanted, he could have come to Telephone Bhawan where I had got down and handed over. Com.Moni Bose contacted some senior police officers and FIR was ready without further delay.

Com. Dilip Das, Asst. General Secretary, arranged a taxi to airport. Usually I go alone, but comrades insisted that in case I do not get the flight it is better that some body is there. Heavy traffic on the road. Fortunately strict instructions that the passenger should reach before 40 minutes of the departure of the flight by which time the issue of boarding pass will be closed, have not been issued at that time. I called airport from the taxi and told that I am on the way, that it was an emergency and they have to wait for me. The reply was, ‘Come immediately’. I reached the airport after the scheduled time of the flight. I rushed inside, asking Com.Dilip Das to wait for me, in case the flight already left. Looking in to departure board I was relieved. The flight was late; I got the boarding pass, informed Dilip Das and moved to boarding gate.

Reached Bangalore, then to my daughter’s residence. Told them what happened at Kolkata. I always used to have one or two sets of dresses at Bangalore and that problem was solved. But what about the checques? I was not sure whether it was crossed or not. If the taxi driver encashes them, the money will be lost forever.
Early next morning we started for Kabani. After reaching there, my daughter called her bank, told about the loss and requested to issue directions so that the checques are not encashed in any of its branches. The bank told that only the person who issued the checque has the authority for that. I contacted my friend who issued the checque and he immediately did the needful. The money was now safe. Only suitcase and other things were lost. After reaching Calicut from the Kabani , I directly went to the State Hantex shop and purchased half a dozen shirts, costing Rs. 150 per each. That problem also was over.

This was a lesson. But it did not help much. I was always forgetting things. The famous poet has put the situation correctly, ‘I have never forgotten to carry the bag of forgettfulness.’

2001 July 24 –  I was returning from  a one day tour of Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.

In connection with the membership verification, I had gone to Srinagar, J and K , by flight on 23rd July.  Jammu and Kasmir still in turbulent situation due to terrorists, but can not  avoid journey. Com. A.R.Tak, Circle Secretary ITEU welcomed me at airport. Meeting was for formation of BSNLEU Circle Union by merging T.III, ITEU, Administrative and  E.III(N) unions. Despite grave situation, more than 200 comrades participated. Formed BSNL Circle Union with Coms. V.K.Mahaldar as President and Nizar Ahmed as Circle Secretary. Addressed a well attended seminar. BSNL IQ booked for stay, but Com.Nizar Ahmed took me to his home stating home is safe and not IQ. I could feel the tension in their  faces. Com. Tak was also staying in a portion of the house. As the system in Kashmir, we all took our tasty dinner prepared by Mrs. Nizar sitting on the beautiful carpet in the kitchen and discussing organisational matters. Only vegetarian as a special case.

Next day, there was another  meeting in the morning. By the time meeting was over, it was time to move to Airport to catch my flight. Started by car, but it was stopped at many points by para military / military forces. There was a blast that day and every vehicle  was being checked and searched. Just about half km from the airport, the car stopped. There were at least 20 vehicles in front’. The para-military forces have created a blockade and no vehicle was being allowed to proceed without full check. The check-in time was almost over, and I got worried. Got down with my bag, walked up to the barricade and crossed it after check. I requested one person who was proceeding to the airport after check and requested him to give a lift since my car was far behind. He agreed. I went to the ticket counter to find out whether my ticket is confirmed. 5 – 6 persons were in queue, but when I told them that my flight was due, they allowed me to check with with counter. Luckily ticket has been confirmed. I thanked the comrade who accompanied me and moved to the entry gate.

It was at this moment that the young man who gave me lift came and said that he has got more luggage than can be carried and whether I can help by taking some, since I did not have any big luggage. I was in two minds. Don’t know what is inside the  luggage and I may be in danger. on the other side, had he not helped, I would not have reached airport at all. I took the risk, took the luggage with me and moved to the gate. The security stopped me, told me that the luggage is not mine, he has seen what happened and it cannot be carried by me. I had no other go but to return the same to the young man. However, inside I was relieved that the danger is over.

I went inside, got the boarding pass and boarded the flight. The young man also came and was in my next seat. I asked him what happened. He laughed and told me that  there was no problem except strict checking, had to pay extra charge for the extra luggage. After all I could attend the meeting with the Communications Minister next day, arranged by Com. T.Govindan M.P.

However the meeting did not take place. Phoolan Devi, M.P. was murdered in front of her bunglow on Ashoka Road and the  city was in turmoil.