2001 July 24 –  I was returning from  a one day tour of Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.

In connection with the membership verification, I had gone to Srinagar, J and K , by flight on 23rd July.  Jammu and Kasmir still in turbulent situation due to terrorists, but can not  avoid journey. Com. A.R.Tak, Circle Secretary ITEU welcomed me at airport. Meeting was for formation of BSNLEU Circle Union by merging T.III, ITEU, Administrative and  E.III(N) unions. Despite grave situation, more than 200 comrades participated. Formed BSNL Circle Union with Coms. V.K.Mahaldar as President and Nizar Ahmed as Circle Secretary. Addressed a well attended seminar. BSNL IQ booked for stay, but Com.Nizar Ahmed took me to his home stating home is safe and not IQ. I could feel the tension in their  faces. Com. Tak was also staying in a portion of the house. As the system in Kashmir, we all took our tasty dinner prepared by Mrs. Nizar sitting on the beautiful carpet in the kitchen and discussing organisational matters. Only vegetarian as a special case.

Next day, there was another  meeting in the morning. By the time meeting was over, it was time to move to Airport to catch my flight. Started by car, but it was stopped at many points by para military / military forces. There was a blast that day and every vehicle  was being checked and searched. Just about half km from the airport, the car stopped. There were at least 20 vehicles in front’. The para-military forces have created a blockade and no vehicle was being allowed to proceed without full check. The check-in time was almost over, and I got worried. Got down with my bag, walked up to the barricade and crossed it after check. I requested one person who was proceeding to the airport after check and requested him to give a lift since my car was far behind. He agreed. I went to the ticket counter to find out whether my ticket is confirmed. 5 – 6 persons were in queue, but when I told them that my flight was due, they allowed me to check with with counter. Luckily ticket has been confirmed. I thanked the comrade who accompanied me and moved to the entry gate.

It was at this moment that the young man who gave me lift came and said that he has got more luggage than can be carried and whether I can help by taking some, since I did not have any big luggage. I was in two minds. Don’t know what is inside the  luggage and I may be in danger. on the other side, had he not helped, I would not have reached airport at all. I took the risk, took the luggage with me and moved to the gate. The security stopped me, told me that the luggage is not mine, he has seen what happened and it cannot be carried by me. I had no other go but to return the same to the young man. However, inside I was relieved that the danger is over.

I went inside, got the boarding pass and boarded the flight. The young man also came and was in my next seat. I asked him what happened. He laughed and told me that  there was no problem except strict checking, had to pay extra charge for the extra luggage. After all I could attend the meeting with the Communications Minister next day, arranged by Com. T.Govindan M.P.

However the meeting did not take place. Phoolan Devi, M.P. was murdered in front of her bunglow on Ashoka Road and the  city was in turmoil.

Chhattisgarh state was formed in November 2000 bifurcating M.P. Consequently formation of separate telecom circle. Necessary to tour the new state. Started from Delhi on 17th December 2000, reached Champa Railway Station next day.(Though written Champa, people there call it Chappa. A big station.). Coms. S.R.Nayak, Circle Secretary, M.P., S.C.Bhattacharya, GS ITEU and many other leaders at the station. As usual it was journey in a vehicle, stopping for meetings at important places. First at Korba. Then to Ambikapur, many km away.

Vehicle passing through forest after forest. Chhattisgarh full of thick forests. During journey through the forests of Raighar, the driver, a young man, asked me whether want to see the place where Kalidasa wrote and staged his first drama. I was interested and told him ‘yes’. Every body interested, though already late for next meeting. None of us had seen the place. Driver knew the place well and took us through a very small side road for about 2-3 km. It was thick forest full of tall trees, as also many huge rocks. We went up on a very big rock climbing man made steps and got to the top. A small theatre carved out of rock, where some 20 people could sit.  Stage also. Room inside the cave, probably to stay. Driver told us that it was here where Kalidasa stayed and wrote his first drama and staged in front of celebrities. The saying is that the King, Vikramaditya,  invited him to Ujjain, where he wrote many dramas and staged under the patronage of the king, as part of ‘Navaratna’ celebrities. Later, I was told that every year, Kalidasa Jayanti is organised and inauguration will be in  this place. When we went there 20 years back, it was isolated and there was not a single  person there. But now it seems that the place has become popular with many tourists.

We returned to the main road, a fast drive, managed to reach Ambikapur, of course late. Comrades were waiting patiently and the meeting was held. During the next few days meetings at Raigharh, Bilaspur, Raipur, Bhilai, Jabalpur and so on, returning to Delhi by train on 22nd. Failed to get reservation, but got RAC in the train as a consolation.

A meeting of the Central Executive Committee of BSNLEU was fixed at Pune on 15-17 June 2005 and I had my flight booked. I reached the airport in time, checked-in and received the boarding pass. I saw Com.Chittabrata Majumdar, M.P. and General Secretary CITU, sitting in the lounge. I went and met him. Of course he was coming to inaugurate the CEC on our invitation. He was not feeling fell and was unable to walk. While I was speaking with him, the airport staff came with a wheel chair and was taking him to the flight. I also went with him assisting when required. We were lifted to our Indian Airlines flight and he was allotted a seat in the first row of the economic class by the young air-hostess. I requested her to allot a seat near him so that I can be of assistance, if required. She did not mind me and I had to go to my seat somewhat irritated, since the passengers were entering the flight. I felt very uneasy.

After the plane was in air, I went to the air-hostess’s cabin and spoke in a bit angry tone, why she did not allow me a nearby seat to assist my companion. All of a sudden her face became red and I was worried whether she was going to cry. She told me in  broken voice that she did not hear me, she is new to the job and please do not complain to higher authorities. Now I was worried. I told her no problem and that I am not going to complain to anybody. In fact she did not violate any rule. I went to Com. Majumdar, but he was already sleeping. Did not want to disturb him. Came back. By the time we reached Pune, he was feeling better.

I learned one lesson. Do not be rude to anybody, especially to women.

Next day Com. Chittabrata inaugurated the CEC and delivered a meaningful speech. By He was was quite well and returned to Delhi.

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. 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 to the road. Waited for auto riksha 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 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 state government prohibited autos 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 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. 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 made. I had thought that he will support me. Immediately I understood the situation. 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 another auto. I told the driver what happened and requested 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.