Category Archives: General

Homage to Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime minister of Independent India on his 56th death anniversary.

27 Wednesday May 2020

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Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was one of the most acclaimed leader of the Independence struggle next to Mahatma Gandhi only. He was the undisputed claimant as the first Prime Minister of independent India. His entire family from his father Motilal Nehru, sister Vijayalaxmi Pandit and daughter Indira Gandhi was connected with the Independence movement in one way or other. was attracted to the USSRand socialism. His ‘Socialist Pattern of society’ slogan was accepted by the Avadi Congress, but it was only partly implemented and later was completely forsaken. Non-alignment was a powerful movement, but that also did not last much after him. The creation of Public Sector and its growth in the first two decades is clearly his contribution. His speech on 15th August 1947 on the ramparts of Red Fort is a memorable, which echoed throughout the country.

I had the opportunity to meet Prime Minister  Pandit Nehru during 1957/ 58. He had come to Tellicherry and was to address a public meeting there which was massively participated. I was working as a school teacher and had come to hear him. I wanted to get his autograph. I had a small box camera with me and along with the press photographers I went near to him and took a photo. I utilised the opportunity by requesting for an autograph. He readily agreed and signed in my small autograph book.

As a P and T worker, later I read that Jawaharlal Nehru supported the 1946 Posts and Telegraph Strike and was also partly  instrumental in its settlement with almost all the demands accepted by the British Government. But as the Prime Minister of India, he called the Central government Employees’ historical strike of July 1960 as ‘Civil Rebellion’ and suppressed it  by using all the brute force at the hands of the government including the ‘Essential Service Maintenance Ordinance’ promulgated.

There is no doubt that he was a man of destiny and had the opportunity to lead free India for more than 17 years.

Homage to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on his 56th death anniversary!

 

Birthday Greetings to Com. Pinarayi Vijayan, the vibrant Chief minister of Kerala!

24 Sunday May 2020

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Birthday Greetings to Com.Pinayayi Vijayan, Chief Minister and architect of New Kerala ! An uncompromising fighter for the downtrodden, he navigated the tumultuous period of last four years facing severe challenges like Nipah virus, floods, natural calamities and the present Corona pandemic. Whatever is assured by him, it is fully implemented. Words and deeds are inseparable.
Red Salute to Com.Pinarayi Vijayan on his 75th birth anniversary !

5G spectrum auctioning is not likely to be held in 2020.

23 Saturday May 2020

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There are a lot of expectations among Indians about the launching of the 5G service in India. However, as per media reports, 5 spectrum auctioning will not be held in 2020. It is understood that auctioning of 4G spectrum will be held this year and 5G spectrum auctioning is being deferred to 2021. The reasons behind this delay in the auctioning of 5G spectrum are as follows:-

The biggest reason for the delay is said to be the uncertainty, whether Huawei and ZTE will be allowed to deploy 5G networks in India.
Telecom Companies feel that the base price of Rs.492 crore per unit of 5G spectrum is very high.
There is uncertainty over the quantum 5G spectrum available for telecom companies, since Department of Space and Ministry of Defence are pressing for the allotment of more 5G spectrum to them.
Media reports also say that, Vodafone Idea and Airtel want 5G spectrum auctioning to be delayed, since both these companies are in financial trouble. (Courtesy: BSNLEU website)

Central trade unions’s protest demonstrations against attacks on working class by central and state governments.

22 Friday May 2020

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As per the call of the 10 central trade unions, dharna, demonstration etc. were held all over the country protesting against the draconian changes in the labour laws. The CTUs also demanded
immediate relief to stranded workers for ferrying them safely to their homes, food to be made available to all, ensure wages to all for entire lockdown period and cash transfer of Rs 7,500 to non-income tax paying households, including unorganized labour force for at least three months to June.

Independent federations in central, state governments, PSUs etc also participated in the programme.

Super Cyclon Amphan hits Bengal, Odisha – heavy casualties – 72 died – Urgent help needed.

22 Friday May 2020

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Super cyclone Amphan hit W.Bengal and Odisha and inflicted heavy casualties including 72 persons dead. Thousands of houses have collapsed, trees fallen and heavy damage. Communications dead in some areas. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said the devastation in Kolkata, the state capital, was “a bigger disaster than Covid-19”.

In Bangladesh about 2 million people have been evacuated. Heavy devastation also.

Immediate help is required to W.Bengal to restore normalcy and save the situation.

Centre increases airfare charges, decides privatisation of Thiruvananthapuram airport. Anti-people measures one after another.

21 Thursday May 2020

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Journey from Kerala and to Kerala will have much higher charges.
In this connection, I remember that Kerala was always discriminated by Centre and Air India.
Earlier, probably in the first decade of this century, there was an arrangement of selling air ticket coupon books with 8, 16 etc tickets, each ticket costing Rs.4,000/- You have to contact Air India booking office and inform that you have to go to travel to such and such places on particular dates. You will write thes details in your coupon and can travel with that coupon.
The point I want to mention is that to travel to any place in India from Delhi, one coupon was sufficient. But for the airports in Kerala, two coupns of Rs.4,000 was necessary. Going back also. So I used travel up to Coimbatore with one coupon and then train to Calicut. Same way return to Delhi by boarding from Coimbatore.
The discrimination continues.
Central govts always were discriminating Kerala in many ways. This has got to be stopped.

Central Government has the responsibility to solve the problems of the migrants.

21 Thursday May 2020

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The reports that are appearing in the newspapers and TV channels about the pitiable plight of the migrant workers are heart rendering. In  the present Covid situation they do not have any work. In many places, they are not even getting food. There are no transport or train to take them to their states and they walk with family including small children hundreds of kilometres. Many die on the way. Reports have come about many people crushed under the train, while they were sleeping on the tracks due to exhaustion.

Since this is an   issue connected with many states, it is the prime responsibility of the Centre to make suitable arrangements for their home journey in co-ordination with the state governments. Food, medicines etc should be ensured in the mean time.

 

Covid 19 – The plight of migrant workers

18 Monday May 2020

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The migrant workers  all over India are in a very pitiable situation. With out job, during the Covid time, they want to return to their home in their state to be with their families. Thousands are walking somehow to reach their states. Many die in between due to hunger and fatigue. Some were run over by train when they were sleeping on the tracks. Very pitiable condition.

The Centre and all state governments in co-ordination should take necessary steps to ensure that they are facilitated to go to their own places, if they want. Food, accommodation should be arranged by the states in which they are at present, till they go back. The central govt also should arrange free rail travel for them.

In Kerala, the migrant workers are called guest workers and all facilities like accommodation, food etc. arranged free.

HOME MINISTRY ISSUES STANDARD OPERATING PROTOCOL (SOP) TO FACILITATE MOVEMENT OF PERSONS BY TRAIN

12 Tuesday May 2020

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Ministry of Home Affairs

MHA ISSUES STANDARD OPERATING PROTOCOL (SOP) TO FACILITATE MOVEMENT OF PERSONS BY TRAIN

Posted On: 11 MAY 2020 2:41PM by PIB Delhi

Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued Standard Operating Protocol (SOP) to facilitate movement of persons by train.

Movement of passengers to & fro and entry at the railway station would be permitted only on confirmed e-ticket. There would be compulsory medical screening of all passengers. Only asymptomatic persons would be allowed to board the train. During the travel and at the railway stations, Strict adherence to Health/hygiene protocols and social distancing.

All passengers would be provided with hand sanitizer at entry and exit points at station and in coaches. Further, it would be ensured that all passengers wear face covers/ masks at entry and during travel. On arrival at their destination, the traveling passengers would have to adhere to such health protocols as are prescribed by the destination State/ UT.

Movement of trains shall be permitted by Ministry of Railways (MoR), in a graded manner, in consultation with Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) and MHA.

Postal Service during Corona period

12 Tuesday May 2020

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Excellent yeomen service by Postman even during Covid 19 period. Food, Saving Bank, Medicine, IFPB apps, Pension, Letters and what not!( Courtesy : NFPE website)