Author Archives: VAN NAMBOODIRI

Telegraph Service in India – 24th October 1851 – 15th July 2013

23 Wednesday Oct 2013

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On 24th October 1851, the Telegraph Service is introduced in India by the British. The first message went from Calcutta to Diamond Harbour.
Within no time the Telegraph Services grew. From a service for official use, it became an essential service for the people to communicate urgent information. It was utilised by the business in a very large way. Telegraph offices were opened in all parts of the country.
The introduction of telephone services, mobile telephones, fax, internet and latest communication systems dealt a serious blow to the telegraph services. From crores and lakhs of telegraph messages in the country, it was reduced in to thousands and hundreds in a day.Still many people were using it. It have continued for years more as the Tram Service in Kolkata.

But NO. The government of India and the Management of BSNL wanted to terminate it, to bury it even before it died. And on 15th July 2013, it was unceremoniously buried for ever.

But lakhs of ordinary people like me still remember the days of telegram with nostalgia. Whether it is news of passing in the examination, whether it is a birthday greetings, or even an intimation of death – telegram brought it to your house intimating good and bad news! That is why, on the last few days before 15th July 2013, people came in thousands to the telegraph office to send their last messages. And lo! Many people could not send the messages due to the huge rush.
The next generation will not be able to understand what telegram was to the common people. I still feel a great loss. I still feel guilty that we could not stop the closure of telegraph services, despite the strong protest of the BSNL employees and their unions.

United Nations Day – 24th October

23 Wednesday Oct 2013

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The United Nations Organisation (UNO) came in to being on 24th October 1945, 68 years back. It was formed by the five major powers US, Britain, USSR, China and France with support of another 46 nations.
It was immediately after the II World War, that the UNO was formed. This war was the most fierce war so far, which took away the lives of crores of military and common people. In the end of the war, US dropped the Atom bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki destroying these two cities entirely with the people.
UNO was formed to maintain international peace and promote co-operation in solving international economic, social and humanitarian problems.UNO have many subsidiary organisations.

During the last many years, especially after the collapse of the USSR, there is the opinion that UN is being unduly pressurised by the US for taking certain decisions which actually crate conflicts in the world. The UN was not able to stop the Afghan, Iraq, Libya wars by the US. However, UN is the only organisation, which can do something to save peace in the world at present. It should be strengthened and converted in to a strong organisation capable of maintaining world peace.

Red salute to Punnapra – Vayalar Martyrs

23 Wednesday Oct 2013

Posted by in TU News - India

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It was in October 1946 that the peasants and workers in Alappuzha area revolted against the dictatorial rule of Travancore Dewan Sir C.P.Ramaswamy Iyer and took to arms against the government’s forces. It is stated that more than 400 people were killed by the police. The first massacre took place in Punnapra on 24th October and the second at Vayalar on 27th October 1946. Some of the comrades who participated in the revolt are still alive like Comrades V.S.Achuthanandan, Chandranandan etc.
As usual every year, the anniversary of the revolt is observed with the participation of thousands of people this year also.

My Red Salute to the Martyrs who showed the path of revolt and resistance! Let their martyrship be our inspiration for the fight against imperialism and neo-liberalisation!

AAI Employees on a 3 day strike against privatisation of Airports.

22 Tuesday Oct 2013

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Airport Authority of India employees have started a three days strike protesting against the government move to privatize 6 air-ports in the country. The call was given by the Joint Forum of AAI Employees which is forum of the unions of AAI.

The government move to privatize the airports at Chennai, Kolkata, Guwahati, Jaipur, Ahmedabad and Lucknow will mean that most of the profit making airports will be with the private companies. The Airport authority has modernised all these airports recently with much expenditure. The modernisation of Chennai and Kolkata alone had cost the AAI Rs. 2015 crore and Rs. 2325 crore respectively.

It is to be noted in this connection that the AAI staff in the airports at New Delhi and Mumbai are yet to be re-deployed after the privatisation of these two airports years back.

Our complete support and solidarity to the AAI employees on their fully justified strike. We demand the government to drop the unjustified privatisation of the airports.

Non-Congress Secular Convention on 30th October.

22 Tuesday Oct 2013

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Ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, an anti-communal formation is on the anvil with several political parties, including regional and Left, joining forces to fight the communal menace at a national convention on 30th October at New Delhi.

Four Left parties have united with AIADMK, JD(U), SP, BJD, NCP, JD(S), Naga People’s Front, Sikkim Democratic Front, Jharkhand Vikas Morcha and RPI (Prakash Ambedkar) to participate in the October 30 ‘Convention Against Communalism and For Unity of People’, JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav and CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury said.

(Courtesy: Indian Express)

Minimum wages revised form 01-10-2013

22 Tuesday Oct 2013

Posted by in BSNLCCWF - Casual and Contract workers

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The Labour Ministry, Government of india, vide No. 1/11(2)/2013-LS-II dated 19-09-2013 has revised the minimum wages, which shall come effect from 01-10-2013.

Accordingly the Minimum wages per day to be paid will be as follows:

work above ground / below ground

Unskilled Rs.207.00 / Rs. 257.00
Semi-skilled Rs.257.00 / Rs. 310.00
Skilled Rs.310.00 / Rs. 360.00
Highly skilled Rs.360.00 / Rs. 410.00

The full orders will be published later.

AIBDPA Foundation Day Observed

21 Monday Oct 2013

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Reports have come from many places about the observation of the Foundation Day of AIBDPA, today, 21st October 2013. Within four years of its formation, it has become the biggest Pensioners Association in DOT-BSNL.

Congratulations!

Odisha Govt. appreciates BSNL for service during Phailin

21 Monday Oct 2013

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation

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The government of Odisha, through its Chief Secretary, has conveyed its appreciation and thanks for the excellent service of BSNL during the Cyclone Phailin and also during the period of rehabilitation. BSNL service helped very much in keeping the government connected with the relief operations.
In the same way, the Utharakhand government had also thanked the BSNL for its excellent service during the massive landslide and floods which took away the lives of hundreds of people.

While the private companies close their services during such natural calamities to avoid loss of towers, equipments etc. BSNL, the government PSU is on the job of maintaining its services for the safety of the people at great risk. We are happy that it is being appreciated by the people and the government.
My Hearty congratulations to the BSNL workers and management!

Govt. hands profitable Airports to private

21 Monday Oct 2013

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The government is openly coming out without any shame or cover to hand over the profitable airports to the private operators. The Civil Aviation Department has called for bids from private to run eight profitable airports which are now under the Airport Authority of India. These include Kolkata, Chennai, Lucknow, Ahmedabad etc. which are profitable. Further, recently all these airports have been modernised by the AAI with its own funds. Now, they are going to be handed over to private under the PPP scheme.
The most profitable airports, Mumbai and Delhi have already been privatised. The other airports with AAI are mainly small ones and mostly on loss. AAI was maintaining its operations with the profit of the major airports. Now, what will happen to AAI is to be seen.
The employees of AAI have opposed the transfer, but the government is moving fast to complete the deal before the General elections.
Shame on the government for its anti-people and anti-PSU decisions.

Women, the maximum sufferers of Mamata Rule – Brinda Karat.

21 Monday Oct 2013

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The 26th Bengal state conference of the All Indian Democratic Women’s Federation(AIDWA) was held in Krishnanagar, Nadia,rechristened ‘Laxmi Sehgal Nagar’. The town, awash in red, turned out in thousands to attend the public event of the conference. The conference was inaugurated by All India Secretary, Sudha Sundararaman.
Addressing the eager gathering, national women leader & Polit Bureau member, Brinda Karat hailed the heroic resistance of the women of Bengal & Nadia in particular. She was unequivocal in her criticism of the Mamata government’s tyranny & the rise in crime on women. ‘When the state leads the nation in the ‘murder’ of democracy, women bear the brunt. In the massive violence unleashed during the Panchayat elections by the ruling party, women were most affected, be it a candidate, a voter or a political worker. When the whole nation is pushed towards extreme financial distress with rising inflation & growing unemployment on account of anti-people neo-liberal policies pursued by the UPA-2 government, it’s the women who bear the distress & lead the struggle’.
(Courtsey: Ganashakti)

Scathing in her criticism of the growing disclosure of large scale fraud with both the Central & Bengal state governments, she put Modi in perspective. Recalling the ghastly 2002 riots, she reminded the people that thousands of minority women were exposed to organized violence, multiple cases that the Supreme Court is handling now. She exposed the secular duplicity of the CM, Mamata Banerjee who has & continues to hobnob with the BJP. It was PM Vajpayee then, who was hosted by Mamata at her residence, she recalled & stated that it could well be Modi tomorrow.