• ‘My Story’ by Com. Jyoti Basu
  • About
  • Settlement of Medical Bills of Pensioners
  • Historic Victory!
  • Disclosure Policy

VAN Namboodiri's Blog

~ Welcome to V.A.N. Namboodiri's blog…

VAN Namboodiri's Blog

Category Archives: P&T TU Movement

P and T TU Movement in India during II World War and thereafter (1939 – 1954) ( by B.N.Ghosh ) CHAPTER – IV GRIM DAYS (Contd.)

11 Thursday Jun 2020

Posted by VAN NAMBOODIRI in P&T TU Movement

≈ Leave a comment

P and T Trade Union Movement in India during II World War and thereafter (1939 – 1954) ( by B.N.Ghosh ) CHAPTER – IV
GRIM DAYS (Contd.)

The government, however, finding no other way introduced rationing throughout India and opened grain shops for selling cereals at controlled prices. The Post and Telegraph workers through their joint efforts were able to have departmental grain shops opened at several stations. The system of rationing and selling of grains at controlled rates no doubt minimized the hardships to some extend, but the measure was not considered enough.

The American Army men were located at 36 big stations in India, where they were lavishly spending money causing also local inflation. They were appointing men in their offices on a much higher pay. The allurement was such that many in government services, including some P and T workers, resigned and undertook jobs in the American Army offices. This was too much for government to brook. With a view to arrest this type of desertion and with a view to pacify the growing unrest amongst the youngsters in the P and T Department, the unified scales of pay were introduced to give a little monetary benefit to this class of employees working at those 36 stations. This fact came to light only when P and T Unions challenged the DG P and T and wanted to know the reason for not extending the benefit of unified scales to the P and T workers working in a city like Agra – where there was no American Army stationed.
The condition of Bengal and Assam took a turn. The people became panicky at the news of surrounding of Imphal by the Japanese Army at the beginning of the year. The P and T workers who were working there were in good spirit. Though courtesy of Mr. Krishna Prasad, I was daily sending a message encouraging Shri Paresh Chandra Sen, Post Master General, Imphal and his assistants. The special plane which used to carry government communications was carrying my letters as well. With my going to Patna, I could not maintain this connection.
Entire Post and Telegraph service and railways and others in essential government service in Bengal and Assam was militarized with effect from 1-9-43. With the exception of a few, all P and T workers enrolled themselves as combatants in the Defence of India Corps (P and T) which enabled them to get free clothings, ration allowance and military compensatory allowance. So there was more inflation and hardships did not practically decrease.

The economic hardships of the working class in Bihar, which was border province of Bengal, had greatly increased due to prices of necessaries of life having gone up. The P and T service in Bihar had neither been militarized nor was the dearness allowance of the circle increased. The entire P and T staff of Bihar was getting dearness allowance at the rate of ‘C’ area. So it can better be imagined than described as to the extent, the pecuniary distress and inconvenience, the staff working throughout the circle was put to. Discontentments and dissatisfaction were there but as the P and T Unions were not properly organized in Bihar they could not raise an effective voice and went on suffering. During my stay at Patna I could manage to address two meetings of the P and T workers in the P and T Recreation Club but could not successfully rouse their feelings and awaken their consciousness. I am however happy that to keep on record here that later on in 1945the discontentments of the staff found their expression through launching of “ Hungry Badge Campaign” under the leadership of All India Postal and RMS Union, Bihar Provincial Union at Muzaffarpur. The initiative taken by the Circle Union was in a way the beginning of the militant action which the P and T Union in India resorted to during the war and post-war period.

The introduction of unified scales of pay for a limited number of towns created widespread discontentments and dissatisfaction amongst the P and T workers. Even the staff who got the benefit of the unified scales of pay did not consider the measure as enough compensation for the loss they had been sustaining due to introduction of new scales of pay with effect from the 16th July, 1931. The entire P and T workers were clamouring for getting the same scale of pay for them which were enjoyed by those who entered the department prior to the 16th July, 1931.
It may recorded here that the memorandum which was submitted by the All India Postal and RMS Union in 1925 to the Government demanded Rs. 60/120 as a universal scale of pay for the whole of India and this demand was considered by the Union as irreducible minimum demand. In every annual session of the conference of the All India Postal and RMS Union, the demand was being reiterated. The Government while introducing the new scales of pay from 16th July, 1931 failed to appreciate the spirit underlying the demand and divided the entire country in to three distinct areas a A, B and C to weaken the movement. The introduction of the unified scales of pay was but another attempt to create cleavage in the rank and file of the workers, but during the war period the government could realize their mistake. Due to existence of different scales of pay they found it difficult to mobilise the workers belonging to most essential service such as Railways, Postal and Telegraph etc. in war zones.

It is however worth mentioning here that after 1932 all the All India P and T Unions were demanding grant of old scales of pay for the post- 1931 entrants. The old scheme for sanctioning the same scales of pay for all areas on the basis of the irreducible minimum demand was side-tracked.

Every cloud has however its silver lining. The introduction of the unified scales of pay for a few stations intensified the general movement. The P and T workers working in all the stations other than those 36 stations held joint meetings and began submitting identical memorials, and the general demand for the introduction of the same scale of pay again came in the fore-front. The Government had to come down a little. The initial pay of all clerical staff working in C areas had to be raised from Rs. 35/- to Rs. 38/-. During 1942 onwards a large number of postal signallers and clerks and RMS sorters from different parts of Bengal were being transferred to Assam border which was actual war zone, to work in civil posts and Telegraph offices. No official from Calcutta could be transferred to those areas apparently owing difference in scale of pay. Even the Manager, Calcutta District Telephone found it difficult at the time of necessity to transfer operators to Barrackpore and Serampore Exchanges from Calcutta due to the difference in scale of pay. All these events served as an eye opener to the P and T staff as well as to the administration. The movement for introduction of the same scales of pay for all stations began to gain grounds. The Calcutta Postal Union, however in its conference demanded higher scales of pay for Calcutta and passed a resolution in successive conferences held in 1943 and 1944 for sanction of a scale of pay of Rs. 100 – 350 for all Postal and RMS clerical staff of Calcutta. (To be continued)

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Print
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Homage to Dada Ghosh on his 59th Death Anniversary.

06 Saturday Jun 2020

Posted by VAN NAMBOODIRI in BSNL, P&T TU Movement

≈ Leave a comment

Com. B.N.Ghosh, who was respectfully called Dada Ghosh by the P and T Fraternity and the First Secretary General of National federation of P and T Employees (NFPTE) left us 59 years back on 7th June 1961.

Dada Ghosh was the Circle Secretary of the Postal and RMS Union, Bengal and Assam Circle during the II World War period and toured the conflict areas of Assam during the bombing by the Japanese and gave courage to the Postal workers to stick to their posts and continue duties. He lost his wife and son, while he was on the tour.

As the first Secretary General of NFPTE, which was formed on 24th November 1954, he took initiative in forming the Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers which along with AIRF and  AIDEF organised the historic 5 days strike in 1960 on the demand of Need Based Minimum Wage and DA according to cost of living index.

(He has written the history of the P and T Trade Union movement for the period 1939 to 1954 in a detailed manner, which I am posting in installments in this blog.).

Red salute to Com. Dada Ghosh on his death anniversary!

 

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Print
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Remembering Com. K.T.Muhammed on his 12th death anniversary ( 29th Sept 1927 – 12th March 2008)

24 Tuesday Mar 2020

Posted by VAN NAMBOODIRI in General, Obituary, Tributes, P&T TU Movement

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Drama writer, K.T.Muhammed, P and T

25th March 2020 is the 12th death anniversary of Com.K.T.Muhammed, Bhishmapithamaha or Nataka Kulapathy of drama writers / artists of Kerala. He has written about 40 dramas, including ‘Ithu Bhumiyanu’ (‘This is the earth’), ‘Kandam Becha Kottu'(‘Coat with stitched parts’)etc. He has also written screen plays for a lot of Films. He had his own drama team and club. He was honoured with many awards including Kerala State Film Award for best screen play.

Com. K.T. was an employee of the Posts and Telegraph Department. He first worked as an ED Packer and after passing examinations was promoted to Postmen and then to Postal Clerk. He was very active in the union and participated in all the strikes and struggles organised in P and T. He was suspended for his leading role in the Token Strike of 19th September 1968. He resigned protesting against the anti-worker victimization imposed on the strikers by the government and merged fully himself in writing drama and other cultural activities. But he continued his connection with the P and T Movement and his erstwhile comrades till the last.

I had the fortune to work in the union along with him. Many times visited his drama club. Even when functioning at Delhi, while visiting Kozhikode, I met him more than once at his residence along with late Com. K.Rajan, who was the Convener of the Co-ordinating Committee at that time. Once I gave him a copy of the one page article about him published in the journal of the Postal Union at the time when he was given an International Short Story Award award for his short story ” Kannukal ” (‘The Eyes’) in 1952.
There is a big Statue of Com. K.T.Muhammed installed in his honour in the centre of the Kozhikode Town. But by oversight or so, the name and other particulars are not noted on the statue. We hope the Corporation of Kozhikode will certainly fulfill its responsibility at the earliest.

Red Salute to Com.K.T.Muhammed!

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Print
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

PWD, TELEGRAPHS, P and T, DOT, BSNL, MTNL, VSNL – A LONG JOURNEY

17 Tuesday Mar 2020

Posted by VAN NAMBOODIRI in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, BSNL, P&T TU Movement, Post, Postal Service, Telecom

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

P and T Department

 

The Telecommunications services in India had a very long journey through the centuries.

Telegraphs was part of the Public Works department in 1951. Separate Department of Telegraphs was opened in 1954. There were one Superintendent in  Delhi and  three Deputy Superintendents at Bombay, Madras and Pegu (Burma) There were Inspectors at Indore, Agra, Cawnpore and Benares.

The Indo-European Telegraph Department ( later Overseas Communications) was administered by a Director-in-Chief from London. This was merged with the Indian Telegraph Department in 1888.

Postal Department was separate. In 1914, on the eve of the II World war, both the Departments were amalgamated and the new Department of Posts and Telegraphs was formed.

Posts and Telegraphs evoked keen interest among the people and also legislators. 152 questions were asked and replied in the Indian Legislative Assembly in 1923-24 alone. Separate accounting procedure was adopted for the four units of the Department viz. Postal, telegraph, telephone and wireless in 1925. During 1930-31 world economic recession, a large number of employees were retrenched. Pay scales were reduced.

P&T Department was set up as a welfare measure and profit was not the motto. 1950 saw a great change with the telephone services, of all the princely states, 196 exchanges,  being merged with the P & T Department. The staff of the princely states in telephones were merged with P&T Department. This was a major step in HRD. There was separate Budget for P and T.

Till 31st December 1984, Posts and Telegraphs was  one Department. However, by that time the separate Budget for P&T was already discontinued. On 1st January 1985, P&T was bifurcated in to two departments ie. Department of Posts and Department of Telecommunications. Telegraphs was part of Telecommunications.

In the 1986, MTNL was formed in carving out the  telecom services of metro cities Delhi and Mumbai as also VSNL was formed by corporatising  Overseas Communications. BSNL was formed in 2000 by corporatising the telecom services allover India, except in Delhi and Mumbai.

In 2020 VRS was implemented resulting in reduction of staff by about 50%. 78569 employees took VRS, leaving less tan that number in BSNL. The case is not different with  MTNL.

Telecom Services in India is completing 170 years. Govt is on the job of privatisation, though the Minister says that it will not be privatised or closed.

The destiny of BSNL  and MTNL now depends on the strength of the trade union movement to fight and defeat the govt’s anti PSU policy.

It is not a question of BSNL alone. It is the future of the entire PSUs that is in peril.

Fight and defeat the anti-worker, anti-PSU policy of the government.

 

 

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Print
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Com.K.G.Bose remembered

11 Thursday Jul 2019

Posted by VAN NAMBOODIRI in General, Obituary, Tributes, P&T TU Movement, Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

 

 

7th July 2019 is the 98th birth anniversary of the great revolutionary leader Com.K.G.Bose. He was born in 1921 and passed away at the comparatively  young age of 54, on 11-12-1974.

Com.K.G. Bose is the inspiration of thousands and thousands of Central employees and in particular that of P and T employees. He fought with the government for the rights of the workers and also fought against the revisionism in the organisation. His life and work is a saga of struggle, sacrifice and achievement.

I fondly remember the many times when I got the opportunity to be with him in the Conferences, in tours and in discussions. He was simple and friendly to all.

On his birth anniversary, I pay respectful homage! Red Salute  to Com.K.G.Bose!

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Print
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Com.S.S.Sen veteran P and T TU leader passed away.

29 Monday Oct 2018

Posted by VAN NAMBOODIRI in Obituary, Tributes, P&T TU Movement

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

P and T TU, S.S.Sen

COM.S.S.SEN, VETERAN P and T LEADER IS NO MORE.
HE PASSED IN BANGALORE ON 27-10-2018 AT 03-30PM . HE WAS 86.
COM.S.S.SEN LONG LIVE.

A Tribute to the veteran leader Com.S.S.Sen, who passed away. He was one of the comrades who were arrested and jailed during Emergency of 1975. Go through the following write up:

“That was the 6th day of November , 1975. Dark days of emergency imposed by Mrs. Indira Gandhi were looming large over democratic movements of our country. One Police Inspector keeping his force outside entered into the then Sub Record Office at Guwahati under RMS “GH” Division and took the chair in front of a young man working there and asked curisoulsy “Are you Mr.—–? with militant posture and uncompromising determination, the man just crossed his fourty, instantly replied “Yes, I am Mr.Sudhendu Sekhar Sen whom you are searching for”.

The Inspector with his regretful expression contended Com.S.S.Sen (popularly known as Sudha Sen) that it was the order from the high echelons of power that was was bound to carry out and for that reason he should not be misunderstood. After completion of all formalities including permission from the Senior Superintendent, Com.S.S.Sen was arrested and taken away to the Guwahati Central Jail.

In the Central Jail were the galaxy of leaders of the P&T Trade Union movement already taken into cusotdy; Com. Bimal Kanti Gupta,CS of E-IV, Com. Jagadindra Bhattachajee, CS, E-IV, Com. Bhudan Chandra Das, CS, P-IV., Com. Hareswar Sharma, CS, P-III, Com.Sankar Kumar Das, CS, E-III, Com. Bhrigu Ram Lahkar, Asstt. CS, P-III and Com.Prabin Chandra Boro, Secretary, P&T LCC, Guwahati.

There in the Central Jail and elsewhere in Assam they had to wait for 15 to 19 months to get released from jail until the emergency was lifted. After the release from the jail also they were not spared. All of them were transferred to the remotest hilly corners of the North Eastern Region, only to be brought back when the Janatha Government came in to power in 1977.

Perhaps this is the unmatched chapter of the history of the trade union movement in the central government employees’ front where as many as 8 (eight) top leaders were put into jail with an intention to crush the democratic trade union movement. Needless to say that second union (FNPTO) in the P&T was formed with the government’s patronage to sabotage the historic 1968 central government employees’ strike.

Government tried to form the union in the NE Region also but could not get in road even after putting the entire top leadership behind the bars.

Rock like unity of the workers at the ground level remained intact throughout the emergency regime and all the jailed leaders were re-elected to their respective positions in the union hierarchy as when the conferences were due and held amidst prevailing situation. These leaders were also amongst the galaxy of leaders of Central including Railways, State, Insurance and Banking sectors who were instrumental in formation of the JOINT COUNCIL OF TRADE UNIONS, ASSAM in 1973 through a massive convention of workers in Guwahati inaugurated by Com.K.G.Bose and also attended by George Fernadaz, Com. Jagadindra Bhattarcharjee along with Achyut Deka of LIC took the mantle of this joint forum as first Joint Conveners. Later on the JCTU, Assam withstood the test of time and created may histories in the trade union movement in Assam.That legacy has still been continued.

In the early 1990’s also Regional Coordination Committee of P&T employees Unions (NFPE), North East Region with Com.S.S.Sen as Convener again made the history by organizing the longest ever successfull strike of the white colour employees in the history of India demanding Special Duty Allowance (SDA). The strike started on November 15, 1991 under the leadership of RCC of P&T Employees Unions, NE Region to end the discrimination by implementing Court Judgement. The entire RCC leadershp including Co.S.S.Sen, Com.J.Bhattacharjee, Com.R.P.Sharma, \Com. Sasadhar Deb, Com.B.C.Das, Com.S.K.Das, Com.M.R.Das, Com.J.N.Mishraexhibited the exemplary leadership quality to continue the strike with tactical perfectness and extreme patience. No door of any Post Office and RMS office was opened for long 38 days upto 22nd December, 1991 until an agreement was signed between NFPE and the Department of Posts in the presence of Minister of Communications . Subsequently the discrimination was ended and SDA was granted to all the CG Employees of NE Region irrespective of transfer liabilities”.

RED SALUTE TO COM.S.S.SEN

WE VOW TO CARRY FORWARD THIS LEGACY …

(Courtesy: Confederation website)

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Print
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Telecom Trade Union Movement – A Saga of Struggles, Sacrifices and Achievements (5) – Grand Reception at Delhi

09 Thursday Aug 2018

Posted by VAN NAMBOODIRI in P&T TU Movement

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Telecom TU Movement

It was a great surprise! We were thinking of silently going to Dada Ghosh Bhawan. But lo! there were hundreds of P and T employees waiting for us in the New Delhi Railway Station. But they were not OPG’s men opposing us. They were comrades who were happy at our election and have come in large numbers to receive us at the railway Station. The P and T comrades under the leadership of Comrades K.Adinarayana, Secretary General NFPE,  P.S.Raman Kutty, GS T.III, N.M.S.Rao, AGS R.III Union etc. were waiting for some time and as soon as we stepped down from the train they started shouting slogans  welcoming us and garlanding both of us. It seemed that they were more happy  that O.P.Gupta was defeated which nobody expected was feasible. We were taken as giant killers. There were no supporters of OPG.

A meeting was held at the RMS office premises in the railway station and the leaders welcomed us and we also spoke. The leaders and workers extended all help in our functioning at CHQ, Delhi. It was a great relief.

After safely placing all the records including the ballot papers etc. at  the ITEF office, we reached Dada Ghosh Bhawan, the CHQ of E.III Union. We did not face any problem there, as was feared. O.P.Gupta welcomed us and arranged our stay, though temporarily. He told us that since he is no more General Secretary of the Union, his residence will be shifted within one month and Moni Bose, the new General Secretary can occupy the same. Union charge was handed over to Moni Bose. He handed over the old car also. A small kitchen was arranged for the new General Secretary. Its expense, about Rs. 30,000 was to be handed over to him. (In fact, neither did Gupta hand over the quarters to Moni Bose, nor hand over the accounts and other records. He stayed there continuously for a very long time and planned conspiracies and with   the connivance of the government split the organisation. All about that later.)

OPG handed over the list of new office bearers with Coms. Moni Bose as General Secretary to the Secretary, DOT and introduced him. Both  VAN and Moni Bose started functioning from Dada Ghosh Bhawan.

Central Secretariat meets.

The meeting of the central secretariat of the union was held within days presided over by President V.A.N.Namboodiri. Asst. General Secretaries elected from OPG’s panel, Com. S.Jagannathan and R.K.Kohli were also present. Head Quarters Allowance of a nominal amount of Rs. 350 was allowed both to General Secretary and Asst. General Secretary (RK Kohli). Immediate tasks to be attended to were finalised. CHQ started functioning in right earnest.

Conspiracy

While all these were going on, a deep conspiracy was being hatched behind. Com. Raghubir Singh, Chairman of FNTO, Leader of the Staff Side of the Joint Consultative Machinery and a close friend O.P.Gupta gave a letter to the DOT stating that Moni Bose can not be accepted and recognised as General Secretary, since he was a terminated employee in connection with the proposed strike of 1949. The letter was typed in the Letter Head of the JCM, of which O.P.Gupta was the Secretary, Staff Side. This was handed over by R.K.Kohli to the Secretary, DOT. This was a well planned operation. Letter was received within two days from the DOT by Moni Bose that a terminated employee can not be accepted as General Secretary and that President V.A.N. Namboodiri is authorised to do the correspondence etc. The conspiracy of OP Gupta – Raghubir Singh – DOT  was totally exposed.

It became clear that OPG was not prepared to accept the democratically elected leadership at Bhopal AIC. May be there was strong pressure from his senior comrades also, who were afraid of their own position. The stand of the DOT was ridiculous. The same department which had recognised O.P.Gupta, who never worked in the Department, as General Secretary for more than three and half decades was objecting to a person who had worked in the Department and was terminated without even a show cause notice for alleged participation in a strike, which never happened. How surprising are the ways of the administration to help a favourite.

Though withdrawn recognition, Moni Bose continued his regular functioning at CHQ. For correspondence and dealing with the department V.A.N.Namboodiri President also stayed at Delhi to assist Moni Bose. There was no other way to safeguard the organisation. It was the starting of a continuous stay at Delhi for long 25 years.

At the unjustified rejection of recognition as General Secretary, Moni Bose filed a case in Calcutta High Court through eminent Parliamentarian and Senior Advocate Com. Somnath Chatterjee, who later became the Hon’ble Speaker of the Parliament. (To be continued)

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Print
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

A Saga of Struggles, Sacrifices and Achievements (2) – Bhopal All India Conference, Start of A New Era.

17 Tuesday Jul 2018

Posted by VAN NAMBOODIRI in P&T TU Movement

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Saga of Struggles and sacrifices

The All India conference of All India Telecom Employees Union Class III, the biggest affiliated union of National Federation of Telecom Employees (NFTE), was held at Bhopal, the capital city of Madhya Pradesh, from 24th to 29th October 1991. Along with our comrades from Calicut (Kozhikode), where I was working at the time, we started two days in advance so as to tour the nearby places as also to meet the delegates in advance to discuss organisational matters. Comrades M.Balasubramaniam, wife Rojana, V.Nalini, M.V.Sadanandan, P.V.Nambissan, K.Damodaran, C.P.Sadanandan, Radhakrishnan, my wife Pankajam and many other comrades were with me. It was a two day journey by train and after reaching Bhopal Railway Station, we stayed at a nearby hotel as the Reception Committee had not yet arranged the accommodation etc.
The two days before the AIC was utilised to meet the delegates coming by train and discussing with them about the organisational issues, mainly the support being given by Com. O.P.Gupta, General Secretary of the union to the anti-working class policies of the government as also the anti-democratic functioning of the union itself. Many comrades agreed with our opinion.
In between, we also found time to visit the ancient caves nearby, the famous mosque in the city etc.
The AIC was being arranged by constructing a very big pandal in the extensive maidan, New Dasra. Though there were provisions in the constitution of the union for the number of delegates to the AIC, the convention was that all those who came and remitted the delegates fee were accommodated as delegates.
There were about 3,000 delegates including a large number of women. Many have come with family and were interested to visit places of attraction, even when the proceedings are in progress. Only about half of the delegates will be present most of the time, while others are either in the dining hall for taking breakfast/lunch/dinner, or were out for sight-seeing. Families will sit there one day or so and then leave the place. There was enough scope for doubt that this kind of situation was created purposely to avoid any serous discussion in the AIC.
However, there used to be serious discussions, debates and fight on the issues, the organisational matters and agitations. There used to be bitter fight on the policy to be adopted in settling the issues of the workers. The inner struggle was always there in E.III Union. This is what happened in the Bhopal AIC also.
The Conference was presided over by Comrade Homi Daji, M.P., President of the union. It was the convention of most of the unions in NFPTE from the start to elect a Member of Parliament to be the President. Many were the top T.U. leaders and M.P.s who were Presidents of the unions. Comrades S.M.Banerjee, Mahesh Dutt Mishra, N.K.Bhatt, Subhadra Joshi, S.B.Das, Homi Daji were some of them. One reason was that these leaders could raise many of the issues in the Parliament and focus them for settlement. This was stopped by the government later, but still certain unions continued the system for some more time.
Comrade Homi Daji was the General Secretary / President of All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) and was elected more than once to the parliament from the Indore constituency in Madhya Pradesh. He used to preside in the AIC from the first to the last, instead of a token presence only.
Open Session
The open session was held in the main pandal, which was attended by about 5000 including the delegates and public. Chairman, Telecom Commission H.V.Wagle, Advisor (HRD) V.Rajagopalan, CGM M.P. D.K.Gupta, GS T.3 Union P.S.Raman Kutty, GS Line Staff Union Chandrasekhar, GS RMS – 3 Union N.M.S.Rao, GS T.IV Union Sagir Mohammed and other leaders addressed.
(to be continued)

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Print
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Book on Historical One Day Token Strike of 19th September 1968.

12 Thursday Jul 2018

Posted by VAN NAMBOODIRI in CG Employees, P&T TU Movement

≈ Leave a comment

The One Day Token Strike of Central Government Employees on 19th September 1968 was historic in all aspects, the demands, the huge participation, the draconian punishments, arrests, dismissals, terminations and so on. Striking workers were killed by gun shots as also by running train over the picketers – the eternal martyrs. The fight against victimisation was a saga of determination and tenacity to ensure that each and every dismissed / terminated worker is reinstated.

19th September 2018 is the 50th anniversary of this mighty struggle of lakhs of workers. I am writing a book on the One day Historic Strike to be released on 19th September. There were 290 comrades terminated in P and T in Kerala alone. I would request our comrades in Kerala, who have got some information about the strike in their towns/cities/area like participation in the strike, victimisation, fight against victimisation etc. to kindly send to me so that those incidents can also be included. Photographs, if any, in connection with the strike, including the photoes of the leaders may kindly be send to the following address;

V.A.N.Namboodiri, S-8, Alhind Elite Apartments, P.O. Nadakkav Kozhikode – 673011. Mob: 9868231431 E-mail: van.namboodiri@gmail.com

Thanks to all.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Print
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Homage to Com.N.J.Iyer and Com.S.K.Vyas

12 Monday Feb 2018

Posted by VAN NAMBOODIRI in CG Employees, Obituary, Tributes, P&T TU Movement

≈ Leave a comment

13th February is the death anniversary of two great leaders of the Central Government and P and T employees.

It was on this day in 2000 that Com.N.J.Iyer, the indomitable fighter for the cause of P and T and Central employees, left us forever.

It was on this day again, in 2015 that Com. S.K.Vyas, the legendary  leader of the Central government employees passed away.

Both of them were unparalleled fighters who led several struggles of the CG employees and achieved many results.

I had the fortune to be guided by them in my TU activities.  I came in touch with both of them after the 1968 historical strike and especially during the inhuman victimisation of the workers who went on strike. Whenever I went to Delhi, I got one free meal from Com. Iyer and staying place by Com. S.K.Vyas at the Confederation Office premises. I avoided  going to Dada Ghosh Bhawan, the CHQ of E.III since there was constant fight on the question of policies to be adopted and action organised with GS Com. O.P.Gupta.

After I shifted to Delhi in 1991 consequent to being elected as the President of E.3 Union (affiliated to NFPTE) there was constant touch and interaction with both of them, Com. Iyer as the GS of R.III Union and Com. Vyas as the SG Confederation. I still remember the confidence shown  by Com. Iyer, by handing over the valuable original typed copy of the Article by Com.Dada Ghosh  on ‘Origin of P&T Trade union movement’ which after getting typed a fresh copy, was returned to him.

Both were leaders with great vision  served the workers in very difficult situations. Their lifestyle was the simplest. Both prepared their own food and served others when there were visitors. Vyasji used to come to Delhi by Bus from Rajasthan and after getting down from the bus walked about one kilo meter to reach Confederation office opposite Sir Gangaram Hospital, till the last days. Iyer was not different. The image of Com. Iyer marching with a red cap in his head,  ahead of  thousands of P&T workers through the streets of Delhi after the P&T Convention in 1972, from West Patel Nagar to Boat Club near Central Secretariat for many kilometers, as the commander of an army  still inspires me. It was also noteworthy that the Communications Minister Shri H.N.Bahuguna,  came to the Raisina Junction and received the memorandum, instead of waiting  in his office for the delegation to come.

They were giants of the Trade Union movement who guided the workers at the most difficult times and showed the correct path to the future generations.

Red Salute to Com. N.J.Iyer and Com.S.K.Vyas on their death anniversary!

 

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Print
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...
← Older posts

Welcome to my blog…

Welcome to my personal blog. Kindly let me know your comments and suggestions...

Blog Stats

  • 1,553,667 hits till today

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 3,343 other subscribers

Facebook link

Facebook link

Flag Counter (Latest)

free counters

Tag Cloud

78.2% 78.2% IDA AIBDPA Air india black money Bonus BSNL BSNLCCWF BSNLEU BSNL for Better Service BSNL strike Casual labour CEC CG employees CITU closure CMD CMD BSNL Contract workers corruption CPI(M) Cuba death anniversary Defence Delhi Dharna Disinvestment DOT EPF EPFO FDI Forum Gratuity Greece India India corruption Kerala Left Parties Merger Minimum Wage MTNL National convention NCCPA NPA opposition Palestine Parliament. Parliament March penalty pension Pensioners privatisation Protest PSU PSU Banks PSUs Railways Revival of BSNL Save BSNL SBI SC Spectrum Spectrum Auction strike Telecom Telecom TU Movement Tower company TRAI US VII CPC Vodafone W.Bengal Wage revision wages WFTU

Categories

  • 2G Scam Corruption
  • AIBDPA – BSNL DOT Pensioners
  • AUAB
  • B.N.Ghosh Book
  • BSNL
  • BSNL – Better Service to the Nation
  • BSNL News
  • BSNLCCWF – Casual and Contract workers
  • BSNLEU
  • CG Employees
  • CITU
  • coal gate scam
  • Corruption
  • CTU
  • Disinvestment
  • Forum
  • General
  • General Elections 2014
  • History
  • IDA
  • Independence Struggle
  • India Left
  • Kerala
  • Kerala floods
  • Kerala LDF Government
  • Left News
  • Membership Verification
  • NCCPA
  • Neo-liberal policy
  • News
  • Obituary, Tributes
  • P&T TU History
  • P&T TU Movement
  • Parliament
  • Pension
  • Politics India
  • Post
  • Postal Service
  • Price Rise
  • privatisation
  • PSU
  • Railway
  • Railway
  • SAVE BSNL CAMPAIGN
  • SCFWA
  • Spectrum
  • Sustained struggles
  • Telecom
  • Telecom TU Movement 1991-2015
  • Train Journeys
  • TU News
  • TU News – India
  • TU News – International
  • TU News – Telecom specific
  • TUI of P&R
  • TUI of Pensioners and Retirees
  • Uncategorized
  • VII CPC
  • VII Membership Verification
  • VISIT THE PAST
  • Wage Revision BSNL – 2017
  • WFTU
  • Women
  • WORLD NEWS

Blogroll

  • BSNLEU CHQ Website

Archives

  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • July 2010

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com

Pages

  • ‘My Story’ by Com. Jyoti Basu
  • About
  • Disclosure Policy
  • Historic Victory!
  • Settlement of Medical Bills of Pensioners
  • RSS - Posts
  • RSS - Comments

Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.

  • Follow Following
    • VAN Namboodiri's Blog
    • Join 489 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • VAN Namboodiri's Blog
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d bloggers like this: