21st November 2006. Bihar.

The Third Membership Verification for grant of recognition to the non-executive union  in BSNL was in process. Leaders of all unions were touring the country, holding meetings and canvassing support from the employees. As General Secretary of BSNL Employees Union, along with other leaders in the alliance I was in Bihar Circle for a two day tour on 20th and 21st November 2006. The first meeting on 21st was in Samastipur. We had to catch the train to Patna, where a big meeting is arranged for the evening. But somehow by the time we reached the station, the express train which we intended to travel had already left. Next  was a local train which would take much time. But no other way. Only 70 -80 km to Patna, but delayed due to  stopping in many stations.    Frantic calls coming from Patna asking us to reach immediately. The meeting was fixed at 17.00 hours, but by the time we were nearing Patna, it was  1800 hours. Coms. J.N.Mishra, All India President, B.P.Singh, Circle Secretary, N.K.Sreevastava, P.N.Jha and other leaders were with me.

Just about one 1 km before reaching Patna Junction, the train stopped for want of signal. I was reading a book and  did not notice that others were getting down there since the meeting place was near. It was an on the spot decision as getting down there will save at least half an hour. When they called me to get down, I rushed to the door. The train has started moving slowly. One comrade  who was behind me told not to get down, but go to Patna and come back. But I was not in a mood to be late for the meeting. Being winter, the light was dim outside. Anyhow, I jumped  down to the side of the railway line, which  was full of grass.

The jump was perfect and I bent down forward. Had I bent backwards, I would have been under the train. Then only I understood the danger. When I stood up, I saw that my pants and shirt were full of cow dung, on which I had jumped. Our comrades were panicked when they saw me  jump. But seeing me covered with cow dung, they started laughing. I told them  let us go to the meeting  without waste of time. We almost ran and reached the meeting hall. Some of the people had already left. There I cleaned the pants and shirt and spoke for some time. Com.R.P.Singh, FNTO Circle Secretary presided. By the time the comrade who got down at Patna came back, the meeting was almost over.

The Meeting was saved but I got  a clear warning against jumping from a moving train.

I am not an expert in reaching the station late, getting in to the wrong train / compartment etc as some of my comrades. I always try to be careful. But still  made mistakes several times and got in to the wrong train in my anxiety to somehow catch the train. But never expected that of boarding a wrong flight. But that is what happened during my return journey from Nepal in December 2003.

I had earlier posted a write-up regarding my journey to Bharatpur, in Nepal in March 2003, the trouble in the train on way to Nepal border. This time, I travelled from Gorakhpur along with Com.K.M.Thripati to border town Birganj via Sitamarhi and same difficulties. It was on 4th December 2003. Crossed to Nepal in a cycle riksha. TEAN comrades were waiting on the Nepal side of the town. Took us to Janakpur where the two day TEAN conference will be held.

Janakpur is the place, according to the Nepalese belief, child Sita was found in the rice-field by King Janaka who brought up her as his daughter. There is a place nearby where a piece of the broken bow is said to have fallen when Sri Rama accepted the challenge for the marriage of Sita and took the Parasurama bow and bent it. We visited these places.

The Conference was held in a systematic way as usual. There was a procession with all the employees in uniform which was spectacular. Two days conference on 5th  and 6th December 2003. On the first day itself I addressed the inaugural session. Com. Madhav Kumar Nepal as well as the General Manager of the Nepal Communications addressed. Next day I had to return to Delhi as I was scheduled to leave for Chennai from Delhi on 6th by T.Nadu Express starting at 22.30 hours to attend the CITU All India Conference as a fraternal delegate. Com.KDM Tripathi will continue for  the second day.

I requested TEAN comrades to arrange for a bus or van to go to Kathmandu to catch the flight to Delhi which was scheduled to leave at about 14.30 hours or so. They said it is better to go by flight from Janakpur to Kathmandu since there may be a lot of check up on the road due to Maoist problem and may not reach in time. The plan was to go to  Kathamandu by 10.00 flight and I was dropped at entrance to the airport. Since the Conference was in session,  I told them they can go back, I am OK.

Entered the airport. There was no check up or anything. The airport consisted of three four separate huts and a small airstrip. Not a single person was there in the whole area. I was alone. In front of the huts, sign boards were placed like ‘Rama Air’, ‘Sita Air’ and “Budha Air’. My ticket was for Budha Air. After half-an hour some passengers arrived as also airways’ officials. The officials told that the flight will come shortly. One flight came and went, but not mine. I was anxious as I had to reach at least two hours earlier before the Delhi flight as Kathmandu was an International Airport. Time passed on. No flight. In between, the GM Nepal Telecommunications also reached to return to Kathmandu. When I shared my anxiety, he assured me that as soon as we reach Kathmandu domestic airport, he will take me to the International Airport in his vehicle.

The plane reached at about 13.30 hours, later than the time I have to report at International Airport.  It was only a helicopter which can accommodate about 20 passengers. The helicopter landed, passengers got down, we entered and it was in the air. Took barely 15 minutes. It was flying low and we could see the beautiful landscapes, hills etc. Enjoyed very much. By about 30 minutes we were in Kathmandu. I took my bags, got down and rushed to the bus nearby which was empty. They told me it is not our bus, it was  only coming. I told them it is urgent and got in and told them to take me to the International side of the airport. They advised that I have to go out of the airport and then go to the International Airport and dropped me near the outside  gate.

I ran out to catch some vehicle for International Airport. It was December, very  cold and I had three bags with me including the gifts  and souvenirs presented by Nepal comrades. Many cars were going to the Int. Airport. Showed my hands, but not a single one stopped. I ran. It was less than a km and  reached there within no time.

Entered the Airport and went to the Indian Airlines checking counter. It was closed. An official nearby told the check-in is over. I requested him to speak to the pilot or concerned person and ensure my journey. He obliged. Somehow he agreed me to give the boarding pass. There is airport charge to be paid in another counter. I gave Rs. 500 note, but cashier told that changes are required as no Rs.500 Indian note is acceptable. Showed another counter where I can change the note in to Nepal currency. I changed the currency, paid the charge and got the boarding pass. I was told to rush to the entry.

Since an International Airport, even if Indian, you have to go through immigration.  I got in to the elevator rushed to the immigration counter where at least a dozen people were in the queue. I was in such a hurry, I bypassed the queue and reached the counter stating my flight is going to start. The British passenger who was first in the queue gave way but smilingly said that ‘since you have got the boarding pass, the flight can not go without you’. I was not very sure. I again ran to the boarding gate which was some distance away.

A lady official of IA, who was at the entrance checked my boarding pass and hurriedly took me to a nearby IA plane. All my bags were opened and checked on the steps to the plane. At last I got in, but no seat for me in the economic class, every  seat occupied. The Air Hostess graciously allotted a seat in the Executive class. I took my coat, cap etc. hung them on the hanger and sat. Despite December cold, I was sweating. At last I have boarded the flight so that I can reach Delhi in time.

The ordeal was not over. The flight did not take off. A young IA official boarded the plane and was shouting whether VAN Namboodiri is in the plane. I stood up. He told that this is not not my flight, my flight is waiting for departure nearby. He helped me in taking the bags and we were out. We got in to a nearby plane, but before that once again all the bags were opened and checked.

The flight started. I was in a window seat and enjoyed the scenery out side relaxing. I asked the Air hostess how I got in to the wrong flight. She told that due to heavy rush, two flights with almost the same number were there at the same time and hence the confusion. I reached Delhi at about 1700 hours caught my flight to Chennai and was off.

The NFPE Federal Council was scheduled to be held at Cannanore from 15th to 18th May 1995. Coms. N.J.Iyer President, K.Adinarayana, Secretary General and many other leaders will attend. I was an invitee. An opportunity to visit my family at Calicut.

Started from Delhi on 7th May by the Mangala Express. Could not get reservation. In waiting list. Boarded in a 3 tier sleeper with  hope of getting reservation on the way. A family including their smart little daughter going to Mangalore also in the same compartment. Got acquainted. The girl was very intelligent and was teaching me the names of the flowers etc in English when  passing through the forests of North India. We spoke in English only. Her name was Fiona.

When every body was preparing to sleep. I spread a sheet on the floor to sleep. The girl told her mother that she will sleep with her and her berth can be given to ‘uncle’. I thanked her for the berth and went to sleep.

Our train stopped at Jolarpet for hours together. A serious accident. A goods train clashing with the Madras – Kanyakumari Nallai Express. It was told that 60 people died on the spot and many more seriously injured. By the time  train reached Salem it was 24 hours late. Reached Calicut at about 11.00 hours on 16th May, late by  one full day.

My programme for the Federal Council was on 16th. No time to get down at Calicut to go home, take bath etc. Extended ticket up to Cannanore. Participated in NFPE council and addressed.

Along with Com.P.V.Chandrasekharan, Circle Secretary, E.III Union Kerala, who was there, visited Com. E.P.Jayarajan ( presently Minister in Kerala govt) who was under treatment at  home, shot by goondas while returning by train from a party meeting at Vijayawada.

I returned to Calicut in the evening. Fiona and family became our family friends. Her marriage  was celebrated two years back at Mangalore which I was  fortunate to participate. Both of us were extremely happy as also her parents Mr. and Mrs Cyril Crasta. Later happily I found out that Mrs. Flora Crasta belongs to Logo family whose one senior member was the Convener of the P and T Co-ordinating Committee of Mangalore for a long time.

Train journey from Calicut was first through Madras only. Then through Jolarpet touching Vijayawada, Itarsi, Jhansi, Agra etc. A regular point where I got down was Itarsi junction. One or two comrades will be waiting there, near the place where my compartment will stop. I will be standing at the door with a package which will be handed over to them. Since the train will stop a few minutes, we will have tea, discuss union matters. Signals on, I get in to train.

The package was two dozens of Coaltar (carbolic) Soaps manufactured by the Kerala Soaps and Oils Ltd, the state owned soap company with HQ at Calicut. It was intended for Com. S.R.Nayak, Asst. General Secretary and Circle Secretary of AITE Union Class III, M.P.Circle, who was staying at Jabalpur. He was the comrade, who fought against the revisionists and built up a strong base for the progressives in M.P. His struggle in the union for correct policies is an epic itself.

Why Coaltar Soaps for Nayak? He was one of AGS of E-III elected at Bhopal AIC in 1991, in which I was elected as President and started staying along with Com. Moni Bose, GS. Com. Nayak as AGS used to come at CHQ now and then and help in the work. Later, other AGSs like Com.M.N.Reddy, P.Abhimanyu, P.Asoka Babu, P.Appaji, Debashish Dutta Gupta and many other senior comrades had been at HQrs helping in the union functioning. It is to be mentioned here that all of them came taking their own earned leave and spending all expenses from their own pocket. Union could not bear the expenses being in difficult financial position. No fund was handed over by the defeated leadership. For me, their presence was helpful in more than one way. I am a poor cook and depended mostly on hotels. Breakfast will be from a nearby small tea shop with four pieces of bread with heavily coated butter. Lunch from nearby dhaba, mostly Chole Batture, very tasty but full of oil. Both were not good for me, but somehow managed. Sometimes when I get time, I will cook rice, vegetables, chilly, etc all put together in the cooker, boil it and eat with curd and salt. Not very tasty, but good for health. When our comrades will be there, they will prepare tasty breakfast, lunch and dinner. Com. Abhimanyu used to make excellent tasty food.

Com. Nayak was in Delhi during his turn at HQrs during the 1990s. He had forgotten to bring bathing soap. I had additional coal tar soap of Kerala Soaps and I gave it to him. After some days he confided to me that he is feeling better after using the soap. He was suffering from actute psoriatic arthritis which will cause much itching, swelling of joints,damage to nails etc. After using the soap,the pain was reduced and feeling better. From then on whenever, I return from Calicut, I used to bring the soaps for him which will be collected at Itarsi by his comrades.

In between, Kerala Soaps and Oils Ltd. was closed due to loss. I used to purchase the soaps from Factory itself, which was near my house at Vellayil. Since it was closed, I went to the shops and purchased. Then again I started to go to many shops to purchase whatever they got. At last I again went to the factory, with help of some union comrade, collected whatever old dry soaps were there. That was the last time I could supply the soaps to Com. Nayak. I spoke to Com. Suseela Gopalan, State Minister, who assured that every effort is being made to reopen the factory.

In between I took to Nayak some coaltar soaps from a Mangalore factory, but it did not clinch. The ingredients may be different. On way to Cuba to attend WFTU Conference, we delegates from India had a stop at Jordan for one day. I bought soaps and creams made from the mud and waters of Dead Sea which is world famous for skin diseases. I gave them to Com. Nayak, but they also were not beneficial. My journey to Calicut also reduced after my wife came to Delhi after retirement.

Com.Nayak passed away on 8th August 2013 at AIIMS at New Delhi after aggravation of the disease. His sacrifice to the union can not be overestimated.