04 Thursday May 2017
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5th May 2017 is the 200th Birth Day of Karl Marx, the greatest philosopher and the co-author of the ‘Communist Manifesto’, which changed the world for the better. It is on the basis of Marxism that USSR, the first socialist state in the world was born.
On this day, we remember Karl Marx. Red Salute to Karl Marx!
13 Thursday Apr 2017
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Bharat Ratna Dr. B.R.Ambedkar, the great social reformer and architect of the Indian Constitution, was born 126 years back on 14th April 1891. His life was full of struggles against untouchability and other social ills imposed on the dalits and the underprivileged. A scholar of great knowledge and highly academically qualified, Dr. Ambedkar was the proper person to steer the constitution of Independent India. Hence he is also considered as the Architect of the Constitution. He has written a large number of books on various social issues.
Many memorials and statues of Dr. Ambedkar are spread all over India in his memory.
On his 186th Birth Anniversary, we remember his great contribution to the society and pay respectful homage to him.
12 Wednesday Apr 2017
Posted in Independence Struggle, Obituary, Tributes
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1) The walls with the marks of firing 2) Martyrs Column 3) The well in which dead bodies have been dumped.
Long 98 years have passed after the massacre of more than 1,000 innocent people including pilgrims who gathered at Jallianwlla Bagh for Baisakhi festival on 13th April 1919. A protest meeting against the brutal lathi charge on the leaders of the freedom fighters were also going to be held. The British General Dyer ordered fire against the thousands of people gathered killing more than 1,000 and wounding many thousands. The narrow way to outside was completely blocked so that people can not escape.
This is one of the most tragic incident of the past. After Independence, a Martyrs Column has been erected at Jallianwala Bagh in 1961. The deep well in which large number of dead bodies have been dumped is still there. One can see the the scars of the shots in the buildings round the Bagh. 13th April is celebrated every year as Martyrs Day and meetings with thousands of people are held there. I also got the chance to participate in one such meeting.
Red Salute to the Immortal Martyrs of Jallianwala Bagh!
05 Wednesday Apr 2017
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It is difficult to think that 27 years have passed since Com. B.T.Ranadive left us forever. Yes, Com. BTR passed away on 6th April 1990.
BTR was attracted to the communist movement from his early years and became a top leader of the united Communist Party of India and its General Secretary. Later from formation of CPI(M), he was a member of the Polit bureau and continued as such till his death.
He was in the forefront in helping the Royal Navy Mutiny of 1946. He organised several strikes and struggles of Girni Kamgar Union in Bombay. He was a top leader of the AITUC and when CITU was formed in 1970, he was one of the founding fathers. Later he became the President of CITU and continued for years. His writings are published in three big volumes which is a must to read.
As an all India office bearer of the P&T Unions, I had the opportunity to get his advice and guidance. In the fight with the revisionist in NFPTE during 1970s and 1980s, his guidance was of maximum benefit. A revolutionary leader, he conveyed the spirit with whomever he met.
Let his memory guide us in the future also.
Red Salute to Comrade BTR!
04 Tuesday Apr 2017
Posted in Obituary, Tributes
4th April 2017 is the 49th death anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr., the world renowned Civil Rights activist. He was assassinated on 4th April 1968 at Memphis, Tennessee, USA by the dark reactionary forces who were worried about the impact being made by him. King was a great agitator, activist and fighter for the underprivileged. He was awarded Nobel Prize for Peace in 1964.
His famous speech “I have a Dream” made in front of Lincoln Memorial on 28th August 1963 at ‘March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom’ which was participated by about a quarter of million people, is given below:
“I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.’
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification; one day right there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.
I have a dream today.”
29 Wednesday Mar 2017
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March 29th 2017 is the 74th anniversary of the martyrdom of Comrades Madathil Appu, Koyithattil Chirukandan, Podora Kunhambu Nair and Pallikkal Aboobacker who were hanged by the British rulers for organising the kisans against the exploiting landlords and the hated British rule. They are the Kayyur Martyrs who inspired generations of people and workers to fight against the British Government and later the Indian government which continued the anti-people policy.
Red Salute to the Kayyur Comrades! It is our duty to continue the struggle for the cause of the people, which these martyrs have shown by sacrificing their lives!
22 Wednesday Mar 2017
Posted in Obituary, Tributes
Today, 22nd March 2017, is the 40th Death Anniversary of Com. A.K.Gopalan, M.P. PB Member, CPI(M) and one of the greatest working class leaders. His life was a continuous struggles and agitations in defence of the toiling masses. Both the British imperialists and the Congress rulers put him is jail several times for leading working class struggles. He was still in jail on 15th August 1947, when India was declared Independent and he celebrated it by hoisting the National Flag in jail. Com.AKG, who fought against the Internal Emergency promulgated by Smt. Indira Gandhi died one day after the Congress was utterly defeated in the elections but he did not know it as he was unconscious and passed away on 22nd.
Com.AKG was a close friend of the P&T workers. He was the guide and philosopher and came rushing to the rescue of the workers whenever they were in trouble. His historic speech in Parliament against the victimisation of the CG employees in the 1960 strike compelled the Nehru government to retract from its hard line on strikers.
He was close to each and every comrade, whether leader or ordinary worker. I remember many such instances of contact with him. I am keeping as precious treasure, the personal letters received from him.
On his 40th death anniversary on this day, I pay my respectful homage to the great working class leader Com. A.K.Gopalan!
RED SALUTE TO COMRADE A.K.GOPALAN!
14 Tuesday Mar 2017
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14th March 2017 is the 134th death anniversary of Karl Marx, the greatest of the Philosophers and Economists, the world has ever seen. His entire life was dedicated to the cause of the working class and the toiling masses. His mortal remains are in the High Gate Cemetery in London, which is being visited by hundreds of people from all over the world every day, to pay respects.
I could visit the cemetery more than once during my journey to London as also the Karl Marx Library, which is also situated in London.
Red Salute to Karl Marx!
06 Monday Mar 2017
Posted in Obituary, Tributes, P&T TU History
5th March 2017 is the 23rd death anniversary of Comrade N.P.Padmanabhan, former Secretary NFPTE and also former Convener of the mighty P and T Co-Ordination Committee NFPTE, Kerala. Pappettan, as he was fondly called was a powerful and committed leader, who took the entire P and T workers of Kerala in to sustained struggles for achieving their demands and against victimisation.
Not only Postal and Telecom employees, but also many organisations and workers sought the help of Pappettan in their struggles. He was a guide and philosopher for each and every employee.
On his death anniversary, let us pledge to continue our struggle for the betterment of the toiling masses!
11 Sunday Dec 2016
Posted in Obituary, Tributes
Com.K.G.Bose ( 07.07.1921 – 11.12.1974)
It was on this day, 11th December, 42 years back, that our beloved revolutionary leader Com. K.G.Bose left us. He was one of the tallest leader of the Central Government employees movement and that of Posts and Telegraph Employees in particular. He fought against revisionism and successfully changed the direction to militant trade unionism. He sacrificed his entire life for the cause of the workers.
I had the privilege of meeting him several times and seeking his guidance. His timely intervention helped me and few other comrades from being dismissed for resorting to a local strike in 1964. His simple life, closeness with the workers, firm conviction in the working class ideology and correct leadership – these helped the movement to go forward.
O this 42nd death anniversary, we pay respectful homage to the memory of Com.K.G.Bose! Red Salute to Comrade K.G.Bose!
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