Journeys & Journeys   –  9

TU Class at Bantwal

Journeys & Journeys   –  9

TU Class at Bantwal

1980 December 27. While I was Circle Secretary E.III Union, Kerala, I was several times invited to Karnataka circle by our comrades to attend meetings, TU classes etc. Now the present  invitation is to attend a TU class at Bantwal.

There was no train to Bantwal from Calicut. Train from Calicut to Managalore and by bus from there to Bantwal. My plan was to complete the journey to and fro in one day, as I have another tour programme next day.

Hence started from Calicut to Mangalore by train in the early morning at 03.00 AM. There was no reservation. There was heavy rush in the ordinary compartment and could not get even a comfortable seat to sit. As I had to start in the night, neither at home nor in the train I could sleep. 

At last reached  Managalore by at about 08.00 PM. Com.P.S.Namboodiri, union leader, was at the Station to receive me. Immediately we rushed to the Bus stand having taken a hasty breakfast.  Coms. B.N.Rao, Mascaranhas, Suvarna, union leaders also joined us in the bus to Bantwal. Coms. Babu, Circle Secretary, Aswath Narayan, Sangle and others had already arrived. Some comrades of Karnataka seemed to have a feeling why the Kerala Circle Secretary is intruding to Karnataka circle. But that was only temporary.

My class was in the afternoon, if I remember correctly. I was allotted to take the class on the P and T Trade Union movement. Within two hours, I completed the class with all the salient points explained and described. Since I have to return to Calicut the same day, there was no time for rest. Immediately started for Mangalore by bus, again a tiring journey.

Our comrades managed to take me to the Railway station so that I could catch the West Coast Train starting starting at about 08.00 PM. No time to take dinner. Comrades bought some snacks and handed over to me as I was getting in to the train.  Reached Calicut by 12.00 PM went home.

Next day early morning started for Mysore by bus. It was a trip already fixed to tour to Mysore by Com.P.V.Nambissan and myself with our families for four days.

I was happy to make the trip to Bantwal and meet many leaders and workers.

V A N Namboodiri   16.10.2024