1. COM.E.M.S.NAMBOODIRIPAD – INSPIRING MEMORIES ( CONTD)

 All India Conference of E.III Union at Trivandrum from 9th to 13th April 1994. Com.E.M.S.Namboodirpad, while inaugurating Conference made an important point. He stated that both the workers, who do physical work as well as mental work, are workers and joint efforts are required to improve the industry as well as achieve their demands. It can be seen later that E.III union made all out efforts and was successful in bringing executives and non- executives together in path of struggle.

Another incident comes to my mind. Com.EMS had come to Calicut and was taking rest at Rest House, W.Hill. I went there to meet him. His driver, called me aside and confided that EMS’s shirt is torn, but he is managing with the same. He asked me to speak to EMS for getting a new shirt. Told him that I am not capable for that task. By the time Com.M.K.Kelu ( Keluettan), District Secretary and veteran comrade reached there. Spoke to him about the torn shirt. He went to the room, took the torn shirt from the hanger and told EMS, as a matter of fact ” Com.EM, I am taking your shirt and is going to purchase two shirts”. EMS understood driver has told Keluettan. But he was unable to say ‘ no’ to Keluettan, whom he respected much. We went to town, purchased shirts from the Handtex and gave to EMS.

When I got down at Gauhati Railway Station in early morning of 20th March 1998, comrades who came to receive gave the shocking news that Com. EMS has passed away earlier day. Could not get any information while in train. I wanted to immediately start for Trivandrum to see a last glance of the great leader and my inspiration. But workers were very particular that I attend their conference. Even otherwise, there was no immediate flight. Could do nothing more.

His mortal remains were consigned to flames in the electrical crematorium at Trivandrum in the presence of thousands of leaders and people who loved him as one of them.

Com.Harkishan Singh Surjeet, General Secretary CPI(M) stated : ” Com.EMS was to me what he was to millions of others in Kerala and outside, a dear and near one. He was one of my closest friends and colleagues. To millions of ordinary people in Kerala, EMS as he was popularly known, was an icon. No other single individual has made as immense a cotribution as EMS has in shaping the destiny of both Kerala and the Communist movement in the country. …He was an internationalist in the true sense of the term….” How true!

The international known Communist ideologue and voracious reader, writer and great organiser was no more. Kerala wept for their former Chief Minister, who was an epic himself. It will be difficult to find such an all-round personality easily.CPI(M) had later published his writings in to 100 big volumes.

Red Salute to Com. EMS !