Delhi – Calicut – Delhi

JOURNEYS & JOURNEYS – 12

 Delhi – Calicut – Delhi  

After the Bhopal All India Conference of AITEU Class III in October 1991 and my election as President in a stiff contest, I had been staying at Dada Ghosh Bhawan, Delhi to look after union matters along with General Secretary Com. Moni Bose. My family, wife and two children, was at Calicut in Kerala. I had to come to Calicut now and then to attend family matters, at least once in a month. I adjusted the same with tours in A.P., T.Nadu, Karnataka etc. Sometimes went directly to Kerala. The union had meager funds, and naturally train journey was the only option.

The journeys took about two days. First it was Kerala -Karnataka Express (KK Express), then Kerala Express. Since the journeys can be utilised for supply of publications, journals, letters etc. it was usual to inform the union leaders of the cities, where the train will stop. It was a time for meeting the leaders. No cellular phones have been introduced and the information will be given from Delhi itself. The number of the railway compartment also will be informed.

The first stop is usually Agra. Com. R.S.Fauzdar, Circle Secretary, UP(W) with his comrades will be ready at the place in the platform where my compartment will stop. I will be standing at the door, with the journals, Books etc in my hand. The moment the train stops, I will get down. With shouting of slogans and garlanding they will receive me. I will hand over the journals etc., discuss urgent matters with them, collect union quota if brought and get introduced to the new comrades. The stop will be for about two minutes, but usually the train will stop a little more than that. By that time one comrade might have brought tea for me. As soon as Signal is given, I will board the train. At that time,  they will hand over me the food they have brought. It will usually be home made chappati, subji, sweets etc. Sweets will always be there. Train moves. Again slogans and waving of hands.

This will repeat in Jhansi, Gwalior, Bhopal and other stations. The food brought at each station will be sufficient for two or more persons. The food will be very tasty. Will share the same with my co-passengers, mostly Kerala bounded. They were surprised at the love and affection shown by the workers at each station.

Once or twice Com. J.Sampath Rao, Circle Secretary, A.P. , who is stationed at Warangal, brought me lunch at Warangal Station in a big tiffin carrier. It was a feast. I enjoyed the meal. Handed over the tiffin carrier to Com.P.Asokababu, AGS, who came to meet me at Vijayawada. 

What about the return journey from Calicut to Delhi? For some time, I took the food from the train canteen. Then there was a change for the better. I had chickenpox after I reached Delhi. My wife Pankajam came to Delhi, accompanied by co-worker Com. P.U.George, to be at my side when I was ill. After I was well, we went to visit Com.K.K.N.Kutty, then Secretary General ITEF (later Secretary General, Confederation ), at his residence. His wife, Smt. Sreedevi, told my wife about how to arrange food for train journey. Separate packets of iddli, dosa, curd rice, lemon rice etc. for at least one and half day, mark it on the packet and consume at the appropriate time. My wife was enthused. So my food in the return journey was ensured without depending much on the canteen. Of course, I did not reduce the number of my coffee and tea, which was a must for me.

The train journey was the time to read. Purchase some good books from the Higginbothams book stall at the station, complete reading by the time you reach the destination. It was in such a journey that I cold purchase and read in train, ‘Mein Kampf’, written by Adolf Hitler which was prohibited by almost all nations after the II World War  and which became available in India after BJP came in power in 1998.

Train Journeys are always eventful . Pleasant usually, but unpleasant experience some times.

V A N Namboodiri   18.10.2024

JOURNEYS & JOURNEYS – 11

BADMASH AUTO DRIVER

It was early 1990s.

Myself at Delhi as General Secretary of E.III Union. I had to start for Jaipur early morning by 06.00 hours train to attend a meeting. It was December and very cold. Had only returned late last night from another tour. I got at about 04.30 hours took bath and went outside Dada Ghosh Bhawan, my office-cum-residence, to the road. Waited for auto riksha to go to Delhi Railway Station from where the train starts. Very few autos, all engaged.

After some time an auto came, stopped near me. Driver asked me where I have to go? Told him, old Delhi railway station. Ok, get in. There was another passenger inside. I asked him where he is going. He was also going to Delhi Railway Station. Fine. After about 10 minutes the driver stopped and got down. we also got down. At that time most of the autos were very old and break down was normal. ( It was some years later that the Delhi state government prohibited autos of more than 15 years from plying which improved the situation). The driver told that petrol is almost finished and have to be filled from the next petrol pump. Asked us to get in. He asked me to get in first so that the cold will be less. The other passenger sat on the side. The driver was a turbaned Sikh. Auto started.

The driver asked me to pay Rs. 200/ as charge stating that he had to fill fuel at the next petrol pump. I took my purse and told him that the charge is too much and that I have payed only Rs.60- last night when coming from the same railway station to my residence. All of a sudden, he snatched my purse from my hand and took Rs. 200/ from the purse. Returned the purse to me. When I strongly protested, my co-passenger told me to wait till we reach the station, where complaint can be registered. I had thought that he will support me as a fellow traveller.

All of a sudden I understood the situation. The fellow traveller was an accomplice of the driver. I was trapped inside the auto. The auto turned to a side road which was narrow and there was not much traffic. I got a bit panicky, but I did not show. The small brief case I used to take was with me. The driver stopped the auto, probably to pass urine. I used the opportunity, pushed the young man and was on the road. I started running on the opposite side. Fortunately they did not follow. After about 10 minutes, I reached the main road, got in to another auto. I told the driver what happened and requested him to rush to the station to catch the train. I told him that I have got only Rs. 10 with me. He said no problem. On the way there was a Police Constable on traffic duty. I told him the incident asking to inform 100. (Mobile telephones have not been introduced). He said that he is on traffic duty and kept silent. The auto driver took me to the Railway station. The train was almost to start. The auto driver did not take any money from me although I offered him the Rs. 10 available with me. When getting in to the train I saw a young lady who had come to see off her relatives. I told her to inform 100 about the incident. I got in. One hot tea and I was OK. Comrades will come to the station to receive me and the return ticket is already booked.

I reached Jaipur, attended the meeting and returned by night. Next morning at about 08.00 hours I called No. 100 and reported the matter. They asked my place and within some 10 minutes rushed in to the office.’Which side the auto riksha has gone’ they asked. I told them that it was the incident of yesterday. Then they told me to file a complaint in the nearby police station.

I went to the Police station and complained. The SHO asked me to give it in writing and told me to write that the driver has taken Rs. 1,000 from the purse. I told him that it was only Rs. 200 which he has robbed me. I gave the complaint like that only. When I was returning, the station writer called me to his room and asked whether I am from Kerala. He was a Malayalee. He told me that the chance of getting the money is almost nil. When I told him that the SHO wanted me to write Rs. 1,000 instead of Rs. 200, he smiled mischievously. All of a sudden, I understood.

Further he advised me two things. Never protest in such situations for they may hurt you and even kill. Secondly, never get in to an auto riksha if some body is already there, and especially if there is a woman. I strictly always kept this advice in mind.

While here, the auto driver was a thief, or a thief created of the particular situation, another driver I remember who was a remarkable one. I was returning to Dada Ghosh Bhawan from Nizamuddin Railway Station in the night and hired an auto. On the way when it passed Talkatora stadium and was moving through the isolated road, we could see two auto rikshas stopped on the side. A woman was trying to get down from one auto riksha, but the driver of the auto was pushing her inside. My driver stopped the auto, went there, shouted and intervened. The woman got down with her baby, got in the other auto along with her husband and went off. The first auto riksha was still there. My driver came and we went on our route. I asked him what was the problem. He told me that once the family got in, the driver started harassing the woman. When the family saw another auto, they got it stopped and was trying to go by that auto but the driver was physically obstructing. Our driver was a well built young man and when he intervened, the issue was settled.

It is Delhi. A mixture of good and evil.

V A N Namboodiri   17.10.2024

JOURNEYS & JOURNEYS – 10    Trip to Mansa (Punjab)

1992 April 17. Only a few months have passed after Bhopal AIC of E.III Union and Com.Moni Bose and myself elected as General Secretary and President of the Union, defeating the four decades’ GS Com.O.P.Gupta and his team. Workers all over the country were enthused that a new progressive leadership has come. Every circle wanted the new leadership to attend their conferences. Bhatinda District Union (Punjab) leaders invited me to attend their Conference to be held on 18th and 19th April 1992 at Mansa. I readily agreed. There was no time to reserve a ticket.

Started for Mansa in the morning by train from Delhi in ordinary compartment. The train was going very slowly, stopping at almost all stations. After some time the train stopped at a small station and even after much time did not continue its journey. Engine break down. Another engine was connected after hours and train started slowly. It was an old type of engine, steam engine running on coal. I had thought that such old engines were out of service. But no. I could not get any food since I left from Delhi and was very exhausted.

Slowly, slowly it reached Mansa at about 20.00 hours. It was very dark. The station was only dimly lit. Biting cold, though winter season was almost over. Everybody in woolen dresses. I had not brought warm clothes as I did not think it will be cold. I got down waiting for our comrades. Five – six persons, their faces covered, with long country made guns on the shoulders of two or three, approached me.  It was a time when there were continued confrontations between police and Khalistan extremists. It was an explosive situation and I was terrified. It turned out that they were our comrades welcoming me. We got introduced. They told that it was not safe to go out in night without guns. They covered me with a woolen coat, seeing that I was not wearing any wollen clothes and was shivering.

I was thinking that they will arrange my stay in some hotel, telephone exchange or Gurudwara. They said these are not safe and took me to the residence of Com. Prathap Singh, union leader. The houses were built in such a way that the partition walls were same. They told that the area is in a safe zone from the extremists. It was spacious inside and after food, I went to sleep. As I was very tired and without food the whole day, slept heavily.

By about 06.00 hours next day, Prathap Singh came to the room with a cup of hot tea telling that his wife told him that Kerala people will take tea early morning. I did not ask how she knew that. Women always are aware of such small and intricate matters. It was very good tea. 

The Divisional Conference went on for two days with tight security. The doors were closed with armed comrades outside. Com. N.K.Jeet was the District Secretary, who always stood with our progressive group. (After retirement he started practicing in  Punjab High Court.).Returned next day to New Delhi. 

Delhi comrades told me that it was very risky and foolish to have gone to Punjab at that time as there was an explosive situation there. Anyhow, I had returned safe.

V A N Namboodiri  17.10.2024

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

Calicut – Calcutta – Calicut

1981 December. All India Conference of All India Telecom Employees Union Class III (NFPTE) was to be held at Calcutta from 29th December 1981 to 2nd January 1982. Starting the conference in the last week of the year and ending in the first week of the New Year was the tradition with NFPTE and affiliated unions for a long time. The Second Federal Council at Calcutta (28.12.1955 – 02.01.56), Third Federal Council at Hyderabad ( 26.12.1956 – 01.01.57), Fifth Federal Council at Jaipur ( 26.12.1958 – 31.12.58), Eighth Federal Council at Madras ( 27.12.1963 – 01.01.64) are some examples.  It will be very cold in the northern India, but it is the time for marriages, festivals, conferences etc. It is the time of holidays also. With layers of warm clothes and good food, it is time for enjoyment.

I was the Circle Secretary of the major Telephone District, Calicut. (For a few years, major Districts were  treated as Circles). This AIC was going to be very important, since decision was to be taken for participation in the first All India Strike called by the Central Trade Unions on 29^th January 1982. It was a well known fact  that Com.O.P.Gupta, GS, E.III Union was not in favour of the strike. Hence, we, the progressive section,  had to put maximum pressure. For that more number of delegates from our side were required. We in Kerala decided to attend AIC in large numbers. From Calicut District alone 38 delegates.100 delegates from Kerala. E.III AIC was never much strict about the number of delegates and hence no problem for extra delegates. Most of the AICs were having about 3000 to 4000 delegates. 

Delegates from Calicut started on different dates according to availability of train reservation. Myself, wife Pankajam, P.A.Velayudhan, Janaky Kutty and M.Kalliani started by the Howrah compartment in West Coast Express leaving for Madras at 00.15 on 25th December. Reached Madras at 14.30 hours. Howrah Coach, in which we were, was kept in the shunting yards till 20.00 hours. Lady Comrades went to a relative’s house, took bath, had food and returned. Myself and PAV remained in the compartment and took bath there itself. A few snakes were moving uninterrupted in the thick grass in the shunting yard. We were afraid whether they will get in to the compartment.

The coach was connected to Corramandal Express which  started for Calcutta by about 20.00 hours.  Ate sweets and snacks brought from home. There were a lot of other delegates also in the Coromandal Express. Reached Howrah in the early morning of 27th. Coms. M. Balasubramanian , Punnassery Balan and other delegates who reached earlier were waiting in the station. We travelled  by bus to AIC Reception Committee office, took meals from exchange canteen and met senior leaders of Calcutta including Com. Ananata Bhattacharjee, General Secretary, Reception Committee. Next we went for a tour of the city in a bus. Visited many places including Botanical Gardens. Com. Kalliani lost her bag in the bus, but we managed to get it back after going to the head office of the bus, where it was kept safe.

AIC was addressed by Coms. Jyoti Basu (CITU) and Indrajit Gupta (AITUC). Mammoth procession in town in the afternoon. Heated discussion about participation in the national strike. Coms.Moni Bose, PVC, myself and many comrades strongly demanded for participation in the strike, while OPG and followers tactically opposed. At last it was decided to strike ‘wherever possible’. I was elected as a Federal Councillor. New Year was celebrated in a big way by the delegates. On 3rd January, some of us went to the residence of Com. Moni Bose, Union leader and had tea and sweets. All of us had a detailed tour of the historic city and visited many heritage sites. Fortunately we could hear Com.EMS Namboodiripad addressing a mammoth rally in the historic Parade Grounds in connection with the W.Bengal State Conference of CPI(M). Fortunate to hear three stalwarts of the Left in a few days.

Return journey became a big problem. Although we had booked return tickets from Calicut itself, some were in the waiting list. Immediately on reaching Calcutta, we had checked in the station, but they were still in W/L. Every day some of the delegates went to the railway station to find out whether  tickets  are confirmed. No. But at the same time, those who booked return tickets after reaching Calcutta had got reservation. There was something very fishy going on. Even on 3rd January when enquired, no confirmation. We had to start by 17.00 hours on 4th.

Without confirmation, it will be almost impossible to travel. Tickets had got to be  confirmed. I went to the Railway Station in the morning and enquired. Tickets were still not confirmed. Waited to meet the Chief Superintendent of the Railway Station. Went to his office on the 5^th/6^th floor, but he has not arrived. The attendant there started going down the lift with a wheel chair, stating that the officer is arriving. I went along with him in the lift. The officer was sitting in the car. He was differently-abled and was helped to sit in wheel chair, for which I also assisted. He was assisted to the lift and then to his room, myself also helping. On reaching his office room, he told us to leave. I understood that he has to arrange himself to sit in his chair, which he wanted to do without help.

After a few minutes I was called to the room. I told him that even after one month of booking, our tickets are not confirmed, while even those booked by delegates after reaching Calcutta have been confirmed. First he said nothing could be done as it will be according to rules. I had to tell him that we are from telephones and will complain to higher authorities. 

Then he asked me to wait outside. In the meantime, I went to the Railway Union Secretary and told him about the difficult situation. After some time, I was called by the Superintendent. He had got all the tickets confirmed, but in different compartments. OK,   at least all tickets are confirmed. Since all tickets were got confirmed  did not complain to higher authorities.

We waited in the platform for the Coramandal Express to arrive. There was heavy rush of passengers. Train arrived and  not much time to start. We rushed to the respective compartments, got the comrades to their respective berths. Somehow managed to board everybody in the train.

By evening next day reached Madras. Got down. Visited some places in the city. Stayed in a hotel. By 11.30 on 5th January started for Calicut by West Coast Express. Deep sleep in the night. Reached Calicut next day. Everybody tired, but happy and satisfied.

V A N Namboodiri  16.10.2024

JOURNEYS & JOURNEYS – 7

A Pleasant travel in RMS compartment

During 1990s a good number of struggles were organised by the Confederation of CG Employees as also NFPE and NFTE. It was a practice to send office-bearers  from Central Head Quarters, Delhi to the states to organise the struggles. Com. Des Raj Sharma, then Dy. General Secretary, Postmen & Class IV union and I were allotted to tour Punjab Circle. I was happy that there was good company.

The plan was to go directly to Amritsar, the last point, and then return to cities Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Chandigarh one after another. Desh Raj Sharma was a sincere and dedicated leader who was also very hard-working. He gave excellent assistance to Com. K.Adinarayana, then General Secretary, P.IV.

Deshraj told me not to worry about travel arrangements; he will do whatever is required. ‘You be at the Delhi railway station in time’, he said. I was in the station with bag etc. sufficiently early, as is my usual habit. Deshraj reached in time and the train also arrived. He took me to the RMS compartment. There used to be RMS compartments in all important trains to carry the postal articles and also to sort them from the train itself and deliver at the concerned stations. It was very hard work. In some RMS compartments there will be sleeping berths for the off duty officials to rest. It was early morning and we sat discussing union matters, also with the RMS staff. They liked the presence of two All India leaders with whom they can talk and know the latest developments.

I asked Deshraj why travel in RMS compartment? He told me that ‘you do not know the rush in the train going to Amritsar, the city of Golden Temple, to which place  there will be large number of passengers.’

In whichever station the train was stopping, a good number of postal luggage and articles were being loaded. After some time, the space was full and we had to sit on the postal bags.  At Ludhiana, which is a big manufacturing city of woolen clothes, sports articles, cycles etc. luggage after luggage were being loaded. We had no place to sit except on top of mail  bags, our heads almost touching the roof of the compartment. The RMS staff was also in difficulty, but it is their duty to which they were adjusted to. I was worried, but Desh Raj was smiling. ‘You have to learn  travelling during rush hours’, he said.

Somehow we reached Amritsar and got down. There was a very good meeting. It was the same in other cities also.

When returning to Delhi, I insisted that henceforth we will travel only in the regular compartments and not in RMS compartments.  He agreed.

V.A.N.Namboodiri  15.10.2024

JOURNEYS & JOURNEYS  – 6

Train Journey with Com. EMS and Photo of Babu Tarapada .

It was in the 1970s, probably in 1976.

P and T Co-ordinating Committee (NFPTE),  Mangalore was organising a big convention and they wanted former Chief Minister of Kerala and veteran CPM(I) leader Com.E.M.S.Namboodiripad to inaugurate the same. I spoke to him and he agreed.

Com.E.M.S. reached Calicut Railway Station from Trivandrum by the early morning train. I received him at the station. He was accommodated in the Railway  Rest room already reserved.

All the available morning papers were purchased and were handed to him as required. While watching him reading all of them quickly, a doubt arose in my mind. How is he managing this? (Days later, the idea struck me. It might be that he has trained himself to grasp the important and required portion at a glance, just as we look at a photo and grasp the details. May be right, may be wrong. But there was some extra-ordinary capacity in him that allowed him to read a lot of books and materials, remember them all and quote when necessary. It also came to my mind that how  Adi Shankara is reported to have dictated verses to four disciples at the same time one after another on four different subjects. Remembered what Com.M.P.Veerendra Kumar, M.P. and well known writer  admiringly told me once: ‘Com.EMS is a human computer’).

Usually, food was being arranged from Kidson Tourist Home in the town. But when tea was brought, owner of the Non- Vegetarian Restaurant at the Railway Station requested that he may be allowed to arrange the breakfast for EMS. While agreeing, told him that no salt and oil, as advised by doctor. After some time, he came back with the food.

While taking breakfast EMS told that a little bit of salt and oil are there in the food. With a smile, he said that the restaurant owner might have thought that how a person can take food without salt. He was not angry at all.

After some time, we started for Mangalore. He was in the First class as already reserved by us. I travelled in ordinary compartment. In between the journey  I went to his compartment, saw him writing and did not disturb. When getting down at Mangalore, he entrusted me a cover addressed to Chintha Weekly and asked to post the same after putting the postage stamps. It was his regular weekly article for Chintha written while in train. It was posted in the RMS as soon as we reached  Mangalore.

Large number of P & T workers was present in the meeting held in the Post Office. His inaugural speech was very educative as usual and comrades were very happy.  There was a framed photo of Babu Tarapada Mukherjee fixed on the wall. On his asking, we told that it is the photo of the founder leader of Postal Union, Babu Tarapada Mukherjee. ‘Good. You display union leaders’ photo in Post Offices?’ he  was surprised. It was the first time I also saw a union leader’s photo in the Post Office. Later, I could see the same in some other Post Offices also. A great tradition.

V.A.N.Namboodiri  15.10.2024

STORY OF A FORGOTTEN UMBRELLA

1978 March 13. My journey from Trivandrum to New Delhi to attend the National Council of Joint Consultative Machinery (JCM) meeting ( Departmental Council). The first direct train from Kerala to Delhi,K.K.Express ( Kerala – Karnataka Express to Delhi ),  has started running and AC compartments introduced. I was in an AC compartment, eligible for journey to attend JCM. Both Shri Kadannappally Ramachandran M.P. and Shri Henry Austin M.P. were in the same coach. Only limited number of flights were eligible for M.P.s in a year at that time and they travelled mostly by trains, keeping the flight coupons for emergency purposes. First Class and AC compartment were inter-changeable, but most preferred AC though the facilities in the First Class were more, but without AC. Since we were sitting nearby and time was available in plenty, we talked about so many things. Later they started speaking political issues, and I remained mum.

After some time, Henry Stephen gave me a small packet and spoke in confidence that he has got sugar problem and sometimes he may fall down or become unconscious due to low sugar. My job was to immediately put the sugar in his mouth. I readily agreed. I was full of tension, fearing that any moment he may become unconscious or fall down. Fortunately during the entire journey, nothing happened and I was relieved.

On the return journey, when the train  reached Ernakulam, Com. K.Prabhakaran, NFPTE leader, came to the compartment and handed me an old long handed umbrella. I thanked him. We spoke for some time about union matters, he left and the train also started.

Co-passengers were curious. I told the story of the umbrella. I had forgotten the same in the train when I got down from train at Quilon on an earlier journey from Trivandrum. I phoned to Com.Prabhakaran, who is stationed at Ernakulam, from Quilon, and requested him to go to the station at Ernakulam and collect it if it is still in the compartment which I had travelled. Prabhakaran went to the station collected the same. He repaired it, put a new handle and had brought to me now. Co-passengers joked why so much trouble for a very old umbrella.The telephone call from Quilon to Ernakulam might have been costlier than the old umbrella, they told.  No mobile phone at that time, only trunk call. (They might have forgotten that I was working in the telephones).

On reaching Trivandrum Railway Station, hurriedly I got down, went outside, got in to an auto riksha and reached the Lodge room where I was staying. After some time, I remembered about the umbrella. I have forgotten to take it from the train. It was very difficult to inform the same to Com. Prabhakaran, who had taken so much pains to bring the same to me, but as a matter of fact, I told him later.

When I told the matter to my wife, she was not at all impressed or surprised. She knew about my ‘great memory’ and loss of more than one umbrella, money purse etc. earlier. She told  me, ‘now you can purchase a new umbrella’.

V.A.N.Namboodiri 14.10.2024

JOURNIES & JOURNEYS – 4

TRAVEL WITH A CELEBRITY

After being elected as the Kerala Circle Secretary of All India Telecom Employees Union Class III (NFPTE) in 1977 at Kottayam Circle Conference, I was nominated to the Circle Council of Joint Consultative Committee (JCM), of STR /STP Circle  with  head quarters at Madras. I was nominated to the Joint Consultative Machinery (JCM) meetings at departmental level at New Delhi also. The meetings were expected to be held every three months, but some times it may be delayed. In these meetings, as a Member, I was to participate.

It was for such a meeting I was going to Madras. Since JCM Members are eligible for I Class travel, I had booked ticket in the first class. AC compartments have not been introduced. I was in waiting list, but  was allowed to travel in first class. It was a four berth coupe. By about 10.00 pm all were ready to sleep. Since I had no berth, I spread a sheet on the floor and started to lie down.

There were two Europeans, one gentleman and one lady in the compartment, may be husband and wife, may be not. But they told me that they will sleep in one berth (the first class berths are wide enough) and I can sleep in the other. I was surprised by their generous offer and of course accepted and thanked them. Had a good sleep.

While returning from Madras after the meeting next day, I was alone in the first class compartment till the last moment. All of a sudden, there were a lot of people rushing to the compartment with much luggage and a bundle of  journals. Except one person, all others left as the train started. With surprise I could recognise that my co-passenger was none other than the famous cine star Shri Prem Nazir. The other two berths were vacant. Probably he might have booked them also.

A chance in a life-time. I introduced myself and we started discussing many matters. He was going to Calicut for some programme. The large number of magazines he had with him showed  that he was much interested in reading. He was happy to continue conversation. No up-man show or ignoring the co-passenger. We talked freely.

Then I asked him whether there is any intention on his part to enter in to  politics, as reported by the news papers at that time. He laughed and told me ‘no such plan’. He added that Kerala is not like T.Nadu, where many cinema stars entered  politics.

In the morning I got down at Tirur Railway Station to attend a meeting there, after saying good bye to the actor. I was told later by friends that at Calicut Railway Station, he was given a grand reception.

V.A.N.Nambodiri    13.10.2024