SUSTAINED STRUGGLES AGAINST VICTIMISATION OF 1968 STRIKE

One Day Strike of 19 July 1968 ended by 12.00 hours mid-night. When we went to attend duty next day, orders of suspension were waiting. Within few days, most of  active workers were suspended or terminated according to whether one was a permanent or temporary employee. Provision of Rule (5) of Temporary Service Rules was misused for termination.  This was the situation in Kerala as well as all over India. Maximum number of terminations in Calicut Telegraph Engineering Division. Tension between DET K.S.Thomas and Union due to many local agitations, gherao etc was main reason. He tried to settle accounts misusing post-strike period. Terminations would have been much more, but for a clever move by Com. A.Achunni, who was establishment section clerk and union leader. He put up case of about 60 officials due for confirmation before DET about one week earlier and got them confirmed. This reduced number of terminations.

There were 44 terminations and 95 suspensions in Calicut city alone, including Postal, RMS, Telegraph and Telephones. Most of the comrades in Telecom Lodge were under suspension, including District Secretary Com.Karayi Sreedharan, P.V.Nambissan, V.Kesavan, K.Prabhakaran, E.P.Sukumaran and me. In addition, Coms. K.Bhaskaran Nair,K.Krishnan, N.V.Raghavan, K.C.S.Nair, A.Achunni, P.A.Thomas, M.V.Sadanandan, P.Appu, E.Richards, T.Kalliani, P.V.Unnikrishnan, K.Kunhikrishnan (BDA), P.P.Sankaran Kutty, K.Vijayan, P.A.Thomas, C.V.Warrier, R.Rajendrn, P.G.Ravindran V.Gopalan, P.Ravindranath, Sreekantan Nair and many others were also suspended.

In Postal side, Comrades K.Damodaran, K.T.Muhammed (famous drama artist and writer), U.Ramachandran Nair, K.V.Velayudhan, Janaki Kutty, V.M.Padmanabhan Nair, T.Chathukutty, A.P.Noorudin were under suspension.

In Telegraphs, Comrades K.Chandran, P.Moidu, K.Velaudhan and others were suspended. In RMS, Comrades Soman Gangadharan, K.P.Unnikrishnan Nambissan, N.Devanand and some others were under suspension.

(I might have missed names of many comrades who were suspended as union records have been either lost or misplaced. Comrades who remember any other name may kindly inform so that their names can be included.)

Condition of terminated employees was pathetic. Most of them were young recruits who had entered service recently and not got confirmed.  Never thought that they will lose their jobs for participation in strike. Believed in their union and leaders. It was  responsibility of union to protect them. It is exactly what union did.

Many parents criticised them for going on strike, causing loss of job. It was difficult for them to sit at home. About 20-25 of these comrades used to come to Telecom Lodge in morning to avoid continued criticism at home. We will supply them tea. We were all suspended and it was very difficult to provide food daily for all these comrades.

By about 7.30 hours, along with these young comrades we will go to some of the factories, which usually start work at 08.00 hours. Will meet union leaders there. Meeting will be held in front of factory and one of us standing on a wooden stool will explain about strike, termination and other cruel victimisation by central government and request support. Will give them donation coupon of 10 paise and collect fund.

After workers entered factory, will go to nearest low cost tea shop and provide breakfast. Usual menu, tea and cooked tapioca.

After 10.00 hours, go to offices of state government, central government etc. with 10 paise coupons. Meet union leaders and workers and collect donation. Kerala N.G.O.Union, KGPTA, KSEBWA, KSRTCEA and other unions and their leaders gave full support and contributed. Sometimes, we will go to merchants, shops and collect donation.

Almost every day, there will be protest jatha organised in city. Suspended and terminated workers alone were sufficient. In addition, working employees also. Starting point was usually telephone exchange. Jatha with around 200 – 300 will go through Palayam, S.M.Street and end either at RMS Office, Post Office or Telegraph Office, where meeting will be held and two or three comrades address. Sometimes it will be ‘Torch jatha’, holding burning pieces of rubber tyre or bamboo sticks filled with kerosene oil. Slogans demanding reinstatement, revocation of suspension, against central government and Prime Minister Indira Gandhi would be raised. These jathas and meetings strengthened workers to face any eventuality.

How to support terminated employees, who will not get any salary? Suspended employees will get at least 50% subsistence allowance. On pay day every month, union leaders will meet workers who are in job and collect liberal donations. Since recognition of unions were withdrawn, it was not easy to collect membership and donations. Many leaders including me were prohibited from entering offices. Notices were pasted on entrance gates to this effect. Still we used to go and collect. Result will be one more charge sheet. Still we were able to collect donations and give full salary amount to terminated employees for first few months. Later we were compelled to collect from suspended comrades also. Local co-ordinating Committee of P and T Unions ensured that terminated comrades in all sections – Postal, RMS, Telegraph and Telephones received their relief money without fail. Once a drama with was organised at Sree Narayana memorial Hall and profit from sale of tickets utilised for paying terminated employees. ( TO BE CONTINUED)

MY LIFE AND STRUGGLES – 28

SUSTAINED STRUGGLES AGAINST VICTIMISATION (CONTD)

Charge sheets were issued under Rule 14 of CCS (CCA) Rules against suspended officials, proposing major penalties including dismissal. Participation in strike, dharna, demonstration, intimidation of non-strikers etc. were the charges. Charge sheets were issued even to some of those officials who were not suspended.

Union adopted many tactics to delay enquiries, since early disposal meant serious punishments including dismissal. After some time, situation may become normal and punishments will be less.

Charged employee has got the right to nominate another official as Defence Assistant to assist him in enquiry. Usually union leaders, who knew rules and were expert in such matters, were nominated. They pointed out several omissions and remissions in the conduct of the enquiry, framing of charges etc. and delayed proceedings. Another tactic was to cross examine witnesses in such a manner so that they become frustrated and contradict themselves. Inquiry Officers and Presenting Officers were no match to these experts. Coms.K.P.Govindan Kutty, M.C.Ayyappakutty and some other senior leaders were nominated as DA. I attended as Defence Assistant in about 30 cases. Almost on all days, there were sittings of enquiries. The dates had to be fixed according to our availability.

Charges in many of these enquiries could not be proved. But Disciplinary Authorities, mostly DE and SDEs, invariably imposed punishments, whether found guilty or not. Fortunately, there were no dismissals except that of Com.N.P.Padmanabhan, Convener of P and T Co-ordination Committee of Kerala. He was reinstated only after the Janata Government came to power in 1977. Gradually, situation improved and severity of punishments got reduced. However, union leaders were imposed with serious penalties.

Most of the suspended workers were reinstated after some months, except a section of senior leaders. They continued to be under suspension. I was one among them.

Court Cases

There was no court cases filed against striking employees, since state government has already declared that no action will be taken under ESMO in the state. To overcome this situation, officers of various departments were directed by central government to file criminal cases against those participated and/or instigated. 13 such criminal cases were filed in Calicut involving all leaders and some other officials. These cases continued for years. Well known advocates S/Shri P.K.Kunhirama Poduval, Bhaskaran Nambiar, Balakrishnan Nair and K.Jayaraj attended these cases, without charging any fee. Shri Raman Nair, Vakil Clerk of Adv. Poduval was of great help.

Advocate Poduval was unable to attend on the day of final hearing of a serious case as he was laid up. Charges included gherao of an officer and forcible cancellation of a charge sheet. Poduval directed us to Senior Advocate Shri Kunhirama Menon, his partner in the firm, requesting him to attend final hearing. We met him. He agreed to attend. Exactly at 10.00 hours he reached Magistrate Court, which he might not have visited for many decades. He usually attended High Court only. He was respected even by senior judges. Magistrate and advocates were surprised at his presence. Immediately our case was taken. He argued for half an hour in such a way that even we thought that such an incident never occurred. APP had nothing to say. Case was dismissed then there. All cases were over by about two years. Except the first case, all others were dismissed. On appeal, punishment was cancelled in that case also.

We arranged a reception for the advocates at Hotel Alakapuri, but nothing more than tea they will have. We thanked them for their invaluable assistance.

At the initiative of Advocate Shri T.C.N.Menon, M.P., who was also Chairman of Kerala P and T Co-ordinating Committee, cases were filed against termination of all 300 temporary officials. As per direction of Com.Menon, local co-ordinating committee conveners reached Ernakulam, where High Court is situated, prepared petitions and all were filed on the same day. It was almost miraculous. After about two years, these cases came up for hearing. All termination orders were cancelled since the provisions in CCS (CCA) Rules that either payment of one month’s advance salary is to be paid before termination or that a notice of one month should be there was not followed by authorities. This was a great victory. All terminated employees were reinstated and arrears of salary paid.

During the entire period, many agitational programmes were organised as per call of NFPTE as also Co-Ordinating Committee of P and T Unions Kerala. As a result, a good number of young workers became very active in union. They became big asset for union.I have mentioned about the strike and post-strike situation of Calicut only. It was almost same in other stations of Kerala. All these have been mentioned in the book on 19th September Strike written and published by Com.P.V.Chandrasekharan and me.Within 2 – 3 years, normalcy returned. Of course, scars of victimisation continued for some more time (to be continued)

MY LIFE AND STRUGGLES – 26

HISTORIC STRIKE OF 19THSEPTEMBER 1968

Staff Side raised in the first meeting of the National Council of newly formed Joint Consultative Machinery (JCM) itself, two most important demands of Central Government employees, viz. Need based minimum wage and grant of DA according to cost of living index. After discussion, both were rejected. As provided in bye law of JCM, Staff Side demanded arbitration, but surprisingly, it was also rejected. What progressive section in NFPTE warned earlier has become true. True colour of government stood exposed. There was no other go before unions, except to resort to agitational programmes.

It was in this situation that four major organisations of central government employees viz. Confederation, All India Railwaymens Federation (AIRF), All India Defence Employees Federation(AIDEF) and NFPTE met and formed Central Joint Council of Action (JCA) and gave call for One Day Token Strike on 19th September 1968. Leaders toured all states in preparation for strike and addressed hugely attended meetings.In Kerala Circle also, good preparations were made for strike. Office-bearers toured all stations. Leaders went to the houses of lady workers and convinced parents about importance of the strike. Action Committees as well as Strike Aid Committees were formed. Enlisted support of other trade unions and opposition political parties.

Though One Day Strike, Indira Gandhi government at the Centre took all steps to suppress it, including getting the draconic Essential Service Maintenance Ordinance (ESMO) promulgated by President. CRPF was put in all offices of central government. Com.E.M.S.Namboodiripad led Left Front Government in Kerala declared that it will not implement ESMA against workers. There were rumours that Centre will dismiss Kerala Government as in 1959, but nothing happened. Central Government put CRPF inside Central offices and Kerala government put state police outside office compound for security.

Outside Calicut telephone exchange, where I was working, hundreds of workers, supporters and ordinary people were crowded from evening of 18thitself. It was very difficult even to enter exchange. Union leaders were meeting each and every worker and intimating latest developments. Officers on the other hand, had called families of lady workers and brought some of them beforehand to stay in exchange to ensure that work is performed on strike day. Water, food etc. were also stored in sufficient quantities. Almost all top officers were present inside. They were forcing officials on duty not to leave exchange after duty. Something has got to be done. Except Trunk exchange, this problem was not there, as most of workers were on strike.By about 24.00 hours (midnight), four-five of us rushed to trunk exchange and brought most of those whose duty was over and those who have come to stay there, despite stiff opposition from officers. Shouting slogans in support of strike, workers marched out of the compound. CRPF tried to stop, but in vain. They were greeted with slogans from workers outside.

One day Token Strike started exactly at midnight of 18/19 September 1968 all over India. In Calicut also it was same. The strike started in RMS Office and Telegraph Office at midnight. In Post Offices, DET, SDO Offices as also SP Office, strike started according to morning duties of Postmen and other officials.

It was only a few months back that a unit of Telephone Revenue Account Office (TRAO) was started at Calicut. Almost all staff coming to about 40 or so was new lady recruits who were transferred from Trivandrum on bifurcation of office. Only less than half a dozen were men. Strike was 100% in TRAO.

Congress, ruling party at Centre was determined to crush the strike. Congress workers at local level also made efforts, but could not do anything as in 1960, since state government was not with them. However, one senior leader of Congress with a lady telephone operator through the crowd came to gate of exchange with intention to enter. They were determined to enter and there was no other way other than to picket. I lied down on the ground and blocked them. Police, who were there, removed me. Immediately, Com.Karayi Sreedharan picketed. When he was removed, I again picketed. Police threw both of us in police lorry and took to Police station. After some time we were released and reached exchange gate again.

In Kerala as well as in the country, strike of central government employees was a great success with massive participation. Leaders were arrested and jailed in large numbers. Terror was let loose in some centres by police and CRPF. Kerala was an exception, the Left government refusing to implement ESMA. More than 12,000 employees were arrested all over India. It is estimated that about 1.5 lakh P and T workers participated.

Martyrs of 1968 Strike

Eight railway employees sacrificed their valuable lives in 1968 strike. Com. Pareesh Sanyal was shot dead at Guwahati, Assam. Coms. Raman Achari and Kishan Gopal were shot dead at Bikaner, Rajasthan. Coms. Lakshman Singh, Raj Bahadur, Devi Raj, Gurdeep Singh and Gama were crushed by train when they picketed. One comrade of the central secretariat was killed when the police pushed him from the upper floor. Altogether 17 comrades became martyrs of the strike. (Names of other martyrs are not available in the records).

The recognition of all the unions which gave call for strike was immediately withdrawn. Dismissals, Termination, suspension and other victimisation were imposed on tens of thousands of leaders and workers. A terror situation existed in offices and workplaces. (to be continued).

(For details of strike and connected matters please refer to (1) History of P and T Trade Union Movement, written by V.A.N.Namboodiri. The book is available for purchase (Rs.100/) with Central Head Quarters, AIPE Union Group ‘C’, Dada Ghosh Bhawan, 2151/1, New Patel Road, New Delhi – 110008, who has published the book. (2) 19th September 1968 – Kendra jeevanakkarute ithihasika panimutakkam (Malayalam) by V.A.N.Namboodiri and P.V.Chandrasekharan . A few copies are available with me. Rs.80/-)

Photo (1) Book ‘Kendirya Jeevanakkarute Ithihasika panimutakkam.”

JOINT CONSULTATIVE MACHINERY (JCM)

The Historic Strike of July 1960, connected victimisation and other mattes have been mentioned earlier. Although strike was suppressed, it was not possible for government to completely ignore issues raised by unions.

One of the major demands raised in 1960 strike was grant of dearness allowance on full neutralisation in cost of living index.  In 1964, Confederation gave call for organising agitational programmes on the issue, including an All India Demands Day on 12-08-1964. Prime Minister Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri, after meeting the union leaders appointed Shri S.K.Das, Retired Judge of Supreme Court, as One Man Committee to examine the rates of DA. This was not satisfactory to unions, since question of Dearness Allowance formula was not included in terms of reference. Das Committee did not recommend full neutralisation for cost of living. Unions protested. Government appointed another 3 men D.A.Committee with Retd Chief Justice of Supreme Court, Shri P.B.Gajendra Gadkar as Chairman. Its report was worse than that of Das Committee. Strong protest arose and agitational programmes were organised by unions.

However, some orders were issued including introduction of Family Pension for the first time, removal of discrimination in the matter of pension and certain other matters between Class III and Class IV employees etc.

Government realised that one reason for continued agitations by workers is absence of a regular forum for negotiations between government and its workers. Hence it decided that a negotiating forum like that of Whitely Council in Britain can be constituted. Discussion took place with unions of CG Employees, including P and T. The proposal for Joint Consultative Machinery (JCM) was placed by government as follows:

There will be a National Council, which will have Cabinet Secretary as Chairman and representatives from official and union side. Similarly Departmental Councils and Circle Councils. But one condition was that after the negotiating council is formed, there will be a ban on strike. This was not acceptable to unions and government was compelled to drop that condition.

There was serious internal discussion in NFPTE about accepting these proposals. It was clear that though ‘ban on strike’ condition was dropped, intention of the government was to entangle unions in eternal discussions without any result. Any negotiation can be successful only if it is supported by fighting potential. The progressive leadership of Coms. K.G.Bose, K.Adinarayana and N.J.Iyer pointed out the pitfalls in the proposals. However, proposals were accepted by the dominant leadership.

Later events proved that what the progressive section stated was fully correct (to be continued).

It is reported that the Department of Railways is proposing to close 5 of its printing presses. These are the printing presses catering to the needs of Railways. Thousands of workers are employed in these presses and closure will result in loss of their jobs. This is one more move of Modi Government to destabilise the railways and allow corporates to grab railway sections one after another.

Confederation of Central Govt Employees and Workers have strongly protested and demanded not to close these printing presses.

MY LIFE AND STRUGGLES – 24

GREAT LOSS – FATHER PASSED AWAY

Father has left his job as Pujari in the temple in Trichur District and settled at home a few years back. He will rise very early, go to temple tank, take bath, pray in the temple for long time and come back home. Marriages of sisters Parvathy and Sreedevi and brothers Kesavan Namboodiri and Sankaran Namboodiri were conducted according to family tradition during these years. To meet the expenses, some of the family properties were sold. Prof. Kesavan Namboodiri was teaching in Devagiri College, Calicut and settled there. Parameswaran Namboodiri was working as Head Master in Peruvallur School and was settled there with family. I was working at Calicut telephones. Sankaran Namboodiri was at home looking after parents and his own family. He was interested and engaged himself in agricultural activities.Since he was a trustee of the Perincherry Sri Lakshmana Temple, father had responsibility in that connection also. He has been active all his life. Now there was not much work to do. Of course, there were festivals, marriages and other functions to participate.He will sit in the verandah in his leisure time. He might have been thinking about the past when the family owned large tract of paddy fields, lands and other assets and there were many servants to look after everything. He might have been thinking about his parents; about his children, who were all in different places, except one at home. We, his children will be visiting now and then, but parents might have wished for more frequent visits.His health started deteriorating. All of a sudden he passed away on 30th October 1966, leaving all of us. He was only 72. I was at home. That was the first death in the family as far as I remember. Brothers, sisters and relations came. Funeral took place according to traditional rites and kriyas in the family compound, where our fore-fathers were laid to rest.While mother was very close and affectionate to all children and showed it openly, father was different. He will look after all matters, but as usual to those times, did not show affection and love to his children openly. But we knew that it was always in his mind. He belonged to another generation. We belonged to another. He might have been sad about the social changes, but I am not very sure about that.Head of the family was gone. After traditional rites, kriyas etc. we all left to our work places. Father’s death caused maximum pain to mother, whose life-partner has left for ever. She became a widow. But she was also the loved mother of six children who were having their own families, except me who was yet to get married. She was a respected and loved grandmother. She fully deserved that. (to be continued).Photos (1) Father (2) Mother

MY LIFE AND STRUGGLES -23

QUILON CIRCLE CONFERENCE AND LOCAL STRUGGLES

Joint Circle Conference of P and T Unions held at Quilon (Kollam) in 1966 took many welcome decisions. There was change in office-bearers and radical change in how to settle problems. Com.N.P.Padmanabhan (Pappettan) was elected as Circle Secretary of Postal Class III Union. He was elected as Convenor of P and T Co-ordinating Committee also.Though Kerala P and T Circle was formed in 1961 and five years have passed, many urgent problems of the services as well as staff remained unattended by authorities, despite taking up by unions. Quilon Conference took decision to organise local struggles to settle local problems. This resulted in a series of local struggles all over the circle, in all arms of services. I am mentioning only about a few such struggles, which I was directly involved. (Com.P.V.Chandrasekharan, former Circle Secretary, E.III Union, Kerala in his book ‘P and T Trade Union Movement in Kerala’ has explained in detail about these many struggles, circle wise).

Kalpetta Trunk Board Agitation

Year 1967. After applying for telephone, people had to wait for months and years to get connection. It was difficult to get trunk calls quickly due to shortage of lines and equipment including switch boards. Kalpetta was the major exchange in Wynad hill ranges. Much delay in getting trunk calls, due to old T-32 Trunk Boards. Installation of improved T-43 boards was required. Divisional union took up the case. After much delay, three such boards were received at Kalpetta from Calcutta P and T Workshop (Telecom Factory). Union took up case for speedy installation of new boards.However, due to political and top level pressure, there was move to shift the new boards from Kalpetta to another exchange. Union intervened.

One day, Com.P.K.Sahasranamam, Branch Secretary of Union at Kapletta, contacted me and told that Sub-Divisional Officer, Telegraphs, has started from Calicut with some mazdoors in a vehicle to shift the trunk boards from there. I immediately proceeded to Kalpetta in bus.Tense situation prevailed in front of telephone exchange. As per SDO’s instructions, one T-43 Trunk Board has already been put in the vehicle. Second board was being carried to the vehicle. Entire telephone staff was outside exchange waiting for my arrival. Large numbers of local people, including subscribers have gathered. They were also agitated, as they understood that the board brought for Kalpetta was being taken away. No time to waste. I told SDO to stop shifting the boards. But he did not agree. I told our comrades to physically stop the shifting. Comrade Sahasranamam, P.R.Narayanan, P.M.Thomas and other workers blocked the mazdoors shifting boards. Local people, gathered in hundreds were in support and started shouting slogans against department officers. There was no other go for SDO. The board in the vehicle and another one being brought to the vehicle were returned to exchange room. People hailed and supported us raising slogans. SDO gave assurance that boards will not be shifted from Kalpetta. A confrontation was thus avoided. Success of the workers!

Agitation against termination from service

Com. Chandramathi, Telephone Operator, Calicut was terminated from service on 12th December 1966 under Rule 5(1) of Temporary Service Rules. She was attending duty when the order was handed over. She stood motionless and speechless. Colleagues were shocked at this unexpected development.

At that period, police verification was compulsory before any person was appointed in Central Services. It was mainly intended to deny job to those who were Communists or who were having any connection with communists; a legacy of British rule. Any adverse report will result in denial of job. After appointment, second verification also. In this case, it seems that the second verification stated that her father was a Communist. Hence the termination orders. No show cause notice. Such termination after appointment had taken place earlier also.

This injustice could not be allowed. As per decision of the union, Com.Chandramathi started indefinite dharna in front of the exchange. The entire staff supported and the dharna pandal was always full. Massive support was received from Unions of Central – State employees as also from other trade unions. Kerala P and T Unions also organised agitational programmes.

Com. A.K.Gopalan, M.P. brought the issue to the notice of central government and demanded reinstatement. CHQ, E.III Union raised the matter with department. Newspapers gave wide coverage to the agitation. This agitation exposed the political vendetta of the government.

At last, Department was compelled to issue orders reinstating Com. Chandramathi back in service. She joined duty on 21st August 1967 after long 8 months of continuous agitation. It was a big success. This was one very rare case where an employee terminated due to adverse police verification was reinstated.

Baliapattam Agitation

One day in April 1968, a subscriber of Baliapattam (Valapattanam) trespassed to telephone exchange, shouted at, abused and manhandled telephone operator on duty Com.K.S.George. It was a small exchange and he was alone on duty. Reason for the outburst seemed to be some delay in answering a local call, due to extreme busy period. This subscriber has abused operators over phone earlier also.Union immediately took up the case and demanded higher officers to take action against the erring subscriber. But neither a complaint to the police was neither filed, nor any other action taken. Under the circumstances, union gave a call to the staff to boycott the particular subscriber, meaning that no outward or inward call of the subscriber will be attended. Since it was CB exchange, he could neither make nor receive any call. The Merchants Association made complaint to Departmental authorities.

Divisional Engineer Shri K.S.Thomas came from Calicut to Baliapattam and discussed the matter with the Union representatives, but no settlement was reached due to the adamant attitude of the DET. Situation became tense and DE left the place in a hurry; In fact, he ran away afraid of being gheraoed and fell down.

Charge sheets under Rule 14 of CCS (CCA) Rules were issued to Coms. K.Sreedharan, Divisional Secretary, P.V.Chandrasekharan, Branch Secretary, P.V.Unnikrishnan and some others on the charge that DET was gheraoed and obstructed from leaving the place. Certainly this was a well-planned attack on union and its leaders.

I was in Medical College Hospital under treatment. Hearing what happened at Baliapattam, I got discharge and returned. As Divisional President of the Union, discussed with all comrades. It was decided that serious agitation should take place against unjustified charge sheets and proposed disciplinary actions. Circle unions intervened. Dharnas, demonstrations and one day strike was organised against the victimisation. The strike was a grand success. Even the Steno, driver and peon of the DE participated to his utter shock. During all this period, boycott of the subscriber continued. This was a good lesson for those who were shouting and abusing the operators.

During discussions at all India level between union leaders and department, agreement was reached and disciplinary actions, except break-in- service were dropped. Union agreed to restore normalcy. (To be continued).

Kerala LDF Government, during its 4.5 years rule has increased social security Pension and Vayojana Pension from Rs. 600 to Rs. 1,400 till December 2020 and delivers the pension in their homes. Now government has declared that the pension will be increased to Rs. 1,600 from January 2021 onwards. Congratulations and thanks to the Kerala Government!

CIRCLE, ALL INDIA CONFERENCES

The first Divisional Secretary of newly formed Calicut Telegraph Division was Com.N.Madhavan Kutty (founder General secretary of CGPA, Trichur, Kerala), followed by Com.K.Bhaskaran Nair. In the Divisional Conference held in 1965, I was elected as DS.Fourth Conference of Circle Co-ordinating Committee of P and T Unions (NFPTE) Kerala was decided to be held at Calicut. A Reception Committee with Corporation Mayor Shri Bavootty Haji as Chairman, S/Shri S.K.Pottekkat, M.P., C.H.Mohammed Koya M.P., N.V.Krishna Varier (Mathrubhoomi), Adv. P.K.Kunhirama Poduval, P.Kuttikrishnan Nair (later Mayor of Calicut), Theruvath Raman (Pradeepam) and other important personalities as Vice-Chairmen, Com.K.Bhaskaran Nair as General Convener and me as Financial Convener was formed in a largely attended meeting.

Since contributions from low paid employees will not be sufficient, public collections were also made through advertisements and donations. Since businessmen, merchants fully depended upon P and T for their communication services, willingly donated and gave advertisements to Souvenir being published.

Circle Conference was held on 21-23 May 1965. The delegates’ session in Dalvi Nagar (Town Hall), in memory of the first President of NFPTE, who passed away recently and Open Session in ‘Com. Madhavan Nair Nagar’ (B.T.College), in memory of the Divisional secretary RMS Ernakulam, who committed suicide unable to tolerate continued harassment and victimisation by higher officers.

Circle Conference was inaugurated by Central Dy. Minister Shri Bhagavathi. All India leaders of NFPTE, D.Gnaniah, O.P.Gupta, K.G.Bose and others were present; 343 delegates and 56 visitors from 126 Branches participated. Difference in approach between revisionist leadership led by O.P.Gupta and progressive leadership led by K.G.Bose was very clear from their speeches. Kerala in large majority supported progressive line.In this conference, I was elected as Circle Organising Secretary of E.III Union. Earlier Asst. Circle Secretary. Change was required as I have become Divisional Secretary.

All India Conferences of E-III Union

Participated in All India conference of Telegraph Engineering Union Class III at Indore, capital of M.P., held on 10-16 January 1965.Next AIC was held at Lucknow, capital of Uttar Pradesh, from 16thto 21st March 1966. Com.K.Bhaskaran Nair and I attended as delegates from Calicut. Others from Kerala Circle included Coms. M.C.Ayyappakutty, Circle Secretary, K.Ayyappan, P.A.Anirudhan and M.R.Chandran. In both these conferences, there was serious discussion about the policy to be adopted, struggles to be organised etc. Com.K.G.Bose, Ananta Bhattacharjee and others forcefully argued for struggles for achievement of demands. I spoke on certain problems faced by employees.

Kerala delegates decided to return via Agra so that world famous Taj Mahal can be visited. Tickets were not reserved and hence could travel by any train in ordinary compartment. Lucknow to Agra is an overnight journey. We reached Lucknow station waiting to board first train to Agra or going via Agra.No reservation in train. Heavy rush. Winter not being over, all were having hold-all packs, as was the system at that time with the dresses, books etc.bundled in them. To get in train with all these hold-alls was difficult as there was heavy rush. Windows had no bars or glasses, so that one can even jump through it. Others rushed through the door; I was asked, as the youngest, to put luggages inside through window and then get in through door. By the time I put the entire luggage, train started. I could not get in to the compartment. However, I got in the next and last compartment where there was no rush. Train gained speed.

When looked for a seat, I was dumb-founded. It was Ladies Compartment. A good number of young nurses were sitting. An elder sister came to me and asked in Malayalam whether I am from Kerala; I nodded. She told me not to worry and that she is returning from Lucknow after taking the students to appear in the Nurse’s examination. She is the Supt of Nursing School at Agra and by morning train will reach there. I was allowed to sit.After a few hours, train slowed, then stopped. No station to be seen. Pitch dark. It seemed that there was some work going on in the railway tracks. I was standing at the door and looking out. The Nursing Superintendent came and stood near me. All of a sudden, the train jerked and purse in her hand fell down. I got down carefully, but since purse was inside tracks it was dangerous to bend down and pick it up. I told her that I will take it after last compartment passes and get up with same, before train gains speed. She also got down, probably afraid that I may slip away after purse is taken from tracks. Train started moving, I picked up purse, gave it to her. But unfortunately, she was unable to climb up steps in the moving train. Both of us were stranded there in the dark night.

We were completely shocked and frightened. We saw a dim light and went towards it. Fortunately there was a very small Railway Station with an Asst. Station Master with a small kerosene lantern sitting in his room. We requested him to allow us to sit there. He said that last train has departed, he is closing and going home and advised us to go outside, where there are jutkas and they will take us to Agra, by road which is only 5-6 miles from there. In the cold dark night with warm clothes and big turbans, the jutka wallahs seemed like dacoits of Hindi films. My companion was brave, she knew Hindi well, spoke with them and we got in the jutka.The horse trotted with speed and we reached outside of Agra Railway station by about 6.00 am. Could see our comrades sitting there, probably discussing about what happened to me since they did not see me getting in to compartment. They were happy, I was happy. I said thanks to the Nursing Superintendent and joined with my comrades. Of course, we visited Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. It was a pleasant experience to visit one of the seven wonders of the world. Returned to Kerala by next train (To be continued).Photoes (1) N.V.Krishna Warrier (2) S.K.Pottekkat (3) K.G.Bose

19th December 2020 is the 19th death anniversary of Com. Suseela Gopalan, former M.P. and CPI(M) leader, who was very close to the P and T trade union movement. She was life partner of Com.A.K.Gopalan, PBM CPI(M) and mass leader.

Com. Suseela Gopalan, even before she married legendary CPI(M)leader Com. A.K.Gopalan, was in the party. She was a real companion to Com. AKG both as his wife and in the Party. She was the Founder President of All India Democratic Womens’ Association (AIDWA), which now has grown in to a strong mass movement of women. She has been elected to the Kerala Assembly and was a Minister in the LDF government.  She was in the Parliament and took up the issues of the workers and the people effectively.

While she was at Delhi as Member of Parliament, I had the occasion to meet her several times to take up cases of central Government employees and specially of the P and T workers. She took these cases sincerely and effectively. She was Chairperson of the Kerala Circle P and T Co-ordinating Committee for some time and gave guidance and direction to the workers.

She inaugurated a dharna in front of Sanchar Bhawan in restricted area despite threat of arrest. Just like Com.AKG, she dared the police to arrest her. She left only after the dharna was over to ensure that we are not arrested after she leaves. She was available to the workers at any time of crisis. Whenever visited her official M.P. quarters at 20, Janpath, Delhi she never allowed to leave without offering a cup of tea. She was always a source of strength to all of us.

During my stay at Calicut in Kerala, many times when Coms.AKG and Suseela came to the city, I used to go to the Railway Station to receive them and take them to the  residence of Advocate P.K.Poduval, where they stayed. They addressed many of the P and T union meetings and conferences.

On her 19th death anniversary, I respectfully pay homage to Com. Suseela Gopalan and remember the great service she had done to the common people and specially to the P and T workers.

A bunch of Red Roses to the inspiring memory of Com. Suseela Gopalan !