Kerala P and T Joint Circle Conference was going to be held at Kollam on 13 -16 of May 1992. I had to attend. Chennai comrades wanted me to cover Chennai on the way and to attend some meetings. Hence started from New Delhi at 22.30 hours on 7th May  by T.Nadu Express along with  Com.K.M.Pillai. Some CITU books given by Com. E.Balanandan to be delivered to Kerala. I spent time reading a Sherlock Holmes purchased from Railway Station.

Unfortunately there was a serious  accident on Uppal – Warangal route, before our train reached Warangal. All trains were delayed for many hours. Food supply affected. No food in the night. The train which was to reach at Madras in the morning, reached there by 22.30 on 9th, delayed by 10 hours.

Com. J.Renganathan, Federal Councillor, C.K.Narasimhan, Hariharan and other leaders were waiting at the station. They were disappointed. All the three meetings and receptions arranged in Madras, expecting that we will reach there in the morning had to be cancelled. What to do!

Of course, we had discussion next day morning in which Coms. A.K.Saramma, All India vice-President, JR, and others participated. They came to the station and  gave a warm send off to us. I boarded the West Coast Express at 12.00 hours and started for Calicut. No reservation, but  RMS comrades in the station ensured that I get a comfortable seat in  the ordinary compartment.

I could anyway attend the Kerala Circle Conference.

During 1990s a good number of struggles were organised by the Confederation of CG Employees as also NFPE and NFTE. It was a practice to send leaders from Central Head Quarters, Delhi to the states to organise the struggle. Com. Des Raj Sharma, then Dy. General secretary P.IV union and I were allotted to tour Punjab Circle. I was happy that there was company in the journey.

The plan was to go directly to Amritsar, the last point, and then return to cities Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Chandigarh one after another. Com.Desh Raj Sharma was a sincere and dedicated leader who was also very hard-working. He gave excellent assistance to Com. K.Adinarayana, then General Secretary, P.IV. Com. Deshraj told me not to worry about arrangements, he will do whatever needed. ‘You be at the railway station in time’, he said. I was in the station with bag etc.sufficiently early, as is my usual habit. Deshraj reached in time and the train has arrived. He took me to the RMS compartment. There used to be RMS compartment in all important trains to carry the postal articles and also to sort them from the train itself and deliver at the concerned stations. It was very heavy and hard work. Some times there will be sleeping berths for the off duty officials to rest. It was early morning and we sat discussing union matters, also with the RMS staff. They also liked the presence of two general secretaries and discussion of union matters.I asked Deshraj why travel in RMS compartment? He told me that ‘you do not know the rush in the train going to Amritsar, the city of Golden Temple to which many passengers will be there.’
In whichever station the train was stopping, postal luggage and articles were being put in. After some time, the space was full and we had to sit on the articles. At Ludhiana, which is a big manufacturing city of woolen clothes, sports articles, cycles etc. luggage after luggage was being put in. We had no place to sit except on the bags almost touching our heads to the roof of the compartment. The RMS staff were also in difficulty, but that is their duty and they are adjusted to it. I was worried, but Desh Raj was smiling.You have to learn to travel during rush hours, he said.

Somehow we reached Amritsar and got down. There was a good meeting. The same in all the cities one after another. But I insisted that henceforth we will travel only in the regular compartments. He agreed. Thus the journey in RMS compartments was over.

1981 December. All India Conference of All India Telecom Employees Union Class III is to be held at Calcutta from 29th December 1981 to 2nd January 1982. Starting the conferences in the last week of the year and ending in the first week seems to be tradition with NFPTE and affiliated unions. The second Federal Council at Calcutta ( 28.12.1955 – 02-01-56), third Federal Council at Hyderabad ( 26.12.1956 – 01.01-57), Fifth Federal Council at Jaipur ( 26.12.1958 – 31.12.58), eighth Federal Council at Madras ( 27.12.1963 – 01.01.64) and so on.  It will be very cold in the northern India, but it is the time for marriages, festivals, conferences. It is the time of holidays also. With layers of warm clothes and good food, time for enjoyment.

Myself Circle Secretary of the major Telephone District, Calicut. ( For a few years major districts were  treated as circles). This AIC going to be very important since decision to be taken for  Strike called by the Central Trade Unions. It was well known that OPG, GS, E.III was not in favour of  strike. Hence we had to put maximum pressure. More number of delegates required. We in Kerala decided to attend in large numbers. Calicut District alone 38 delegates.100 delegates from Kerala. E.III AIC was not much strict about number of delegates. Delegates from Calicut started on different dates according to availability train reservation. Myself, wife Pankajam, P.A.Velayudhan, Janaky Kutty and M.Kalliani started by the Howrah compartment in West Coast Express leaving for Madras at 00.15 on 25th December. Reached at 14.30 hours at Madras. Howrah Coach in the shunting yards till 20.00 hours. Lady comrades went to a relative’s house, took bath, food and returned. Myself and PAV in the train. We were afraid whether the snakes moving uninterrupted in the thick grass near the shunting yards will get in the compartment. Exactly at 20.00 hours train started for Calcutta. Took bath from train itself. Ate sweets and snacks brought from homes. A lot of other delegates also in this Coromandal Express. Reached Howrah in the early morning of 27th. Coms. Balu, Punnassery Balan and other delegates who reached earlier were waiting in station. By bus went to AIC Reception Committee office, took meals from exchange canteen and met senior leaders of Calcutta including Com. Ananata Bhattacharjee, General Secretary, Reception Committee. We went for a tour of the city in a bus. Visited many places including Botanical gardens. Com. Kalliani lost her bag in the bus, but somehow we managed to get it after going to the bus head office.

AIC addressed by Coms. Jyoti Basu (CITU) and Indrajit Gupta (AITUC). Mammoth procession in town in afternoon. Heated discussion about participation in the national strike. Coms.Moni Bose, PVC, myself and many comrades strongly demanded participation in strike, while OPG and followers tactically opposed. At last it was decided to strike ‘wherever possible’. I was elected Federal Councillor. New year day was celebrated in a big way by the delegates. On 3rd some of us went to the residence of Com. Moni Bose and had tea. All of us had a detailed tour of the historic city and visited many heritage sites. Fortunately we could hear Com.EMS addressing the rally in Parade Grounds in connection with the W.Bengal state Conference of CPI(M). Hearing three stalwarts in a few days.

Return journey became a big problem. Although we had booked the return tickets from Calicut itself, some tickets were in waiting list. Immediately on reaching Calcutta we had checked in the station, but they were still in W/L. Every day some of the delegates went to  railway station to find out whether  tickets  are confirmed. Negative. But at the same time, those who booked return tickets after reaching Calcutta had got reservation. There was something very very wrong going on. Even on 3rd January when enquired, no confirmation. We had to start by 17.00 hours on 4th.

Without confirmation, it will be almost impossible to travel. Tickets had to be  confirmed. I went to Railway Station in the morning and enquired. Tickets still not confirmed. Waited to meet  Chief Superintendent of the R/Station. Went to his office. He has not reached. It was on the 5th or 6th floor. The peon there started going down the lift with a wheel chair stating that the officer is arriving. I went along with him in the lift. The officer was sitting in the car. He was helped to sit in wheel chair, for which I also helped. Came up in the lift and to his room, myself also also helping. On reaching his office room, he told us to leave the room. I understood that he has to arrange himself seated in his chair, which he wanted to do without help.

After few minutes I was called to the room. I told him that even after one month of booking, our tickets are not confirmed, while even those booked by delegates after reaching Calcutta have been confirmed. First he said nothing could be done as it will be according to rules. Then I had to tell him that we are from telephones and will complain to higher authorities. Then he asked me to wait outside. In the meantime I went to the Union Secretary and told him about the difficult situation. After some time, I was called by the Superintendent. He got all the tickets confirmed, but in different different compartments. OK, at least all tickets confirmed.

We waited in the platform for the Coramandal train to arrive. Platforms congested due to heavy rush of passengers. Train arrived, not much time to start. We rushed to each compartment, got the concerned comrades to their respective berths. Somehow managed to put every body in the train.

By evening next day reached Madras. Got down. Visited some places in the city. Stayed in a hotel. By 11.30 on 5th started for Calicut by West Coast Express. Heavily slept in the night. Reached Calicut next day. Everybody tired, but happy and satisfied.

Train Journey 12 – Train to Nepal
2003 March – Telecom Employees Association of Nepal (TEAN) has invited me as GS of BSNLEU to attend their TU class at Bharatpur on 12th March 2003. Since this is near India- Nepal border along UP – Bihar, I thought better to go by train. Started from Delhi on 10th by Saptagiri Express to Gorakhpur. Since I could not even enter the reserved 3-Tier compartment due to heavy rush by reserved and un-reserved passengers, I got in to II AC compartment and gave the extra amount to TTE. Such things happen. Reached Gorakhpur in the morning, where Com.K.D.M.Tripathi, Vice-President of Union was waiting. He was a sincere dedicated leader. He belonged to the priest family of famous Gorakhpur temple.
At 11.30 hours we started. On the way the train stopped in a small station due to some technical fault. We proceeded from there on a local train. It was fortunate that by the clever maneuvering of Tripathi, we got two side seats in an ordinary compartment. On both sides of the train, there were dozens and dozens of bi-cycles cleverly hung on the window bars, similar to milk cans hung on the Mumbai trains. Tripathi told me that passengers get down, unload the cycles and continue their journey to their villages. Very interesting. The train did not start for a long time and more and more passengers were getting in. Six – seven women boarded carrying big pieces of old wooden railway sleepers which were in the platform. In fact, they were stealing them. They put it under the seats. Many old jute bags were also with them. They were watching the station carefully. We had put our bags on the upper stand. Tripati told me, ‘always watch our bags, may disappear any time.’ I understood.
At last train started. It was stopping at all stations. After two – three stations, the women got down carrying the wooden sleepers. All of sudden, there was shouting by a young man clutching one of the bags taken away by them. It was his bag. The women told it is their bag. Others intervened, opened the bag and found out it was the boy’s bag only.
I wanted to have coffee or tea and Tripathi told that he will go outside in the next station and will bring tea, because if both of us go, our bags may ‘disappear’. He tried at two three stations, but no tea or coffee. Somehow he got two packets of roasted ground nuts, which we ate and drank water which we carried. We reached a station, may be 10 miles from the border by late evening. Went to a tea shop nearby, but came out quickly since the shop was most dirty and unhygienic.
We got in to a bus going to the border town Raxaul. We got seats. Though the bus seemed very old and worn, there was T.V. fitted and on. We were happy to watch the TV. Before start of the bus some persons boarded and stood very close to the TV blocking the view to all others behind. Nobody objected. When I wanted to protest, Tripathi signalled me,’danger’. I understood. The bus started. The road was so bad, that the bus was turning and tumbling this side and that side. We were afraid that it may fall or crash down. The speed was almost like that of a bullock cart moving on a rough patched road. Though the distance was about ten miles, it took about one and half hours to reach there.
We got down, engaged a tonga and crossed to Nepal. The Raxaul town was partly in India and partly in Nepal. TEAN leaders Com. Ashok Karn and others were waiting there. They took us to a hotel telling that we will move to Bharatpur next day to attend the TU meeting and class. We were so tired that we slept heavily.
Had Com.Tripathy was not there with me ?

Not remembering date and year. After Circle Conference at Khammam had to Return to Delhi by G.T.Express reaching Khammam from Chennai at about 00.30 hours in midnight. Reservation already made. Along with Com.J.Sampath Rao, P.Asoka Babu etc. reached the Railway Station in the nick of time. Train was already in the station and was starting to move. My three bags with warm clothes, union records etc.were just thrown inside my reserved compartment by our comrades, I got in and train started. I went to my berth and sat with relief.

All of a sudden, I felt something was wrong. The compartment was almost empty. GT used to be always full. One boy was sitting in the side seat. On asking I found out to my dismay it was a train to Hyderabad or so. I had to attend urgent meetings on 10th and 11th at Delhi including with Secretary, DOT. I had somehow to catch GT to reach Delhi in time. I pulled the chain but it was not moving. It was in a fixed condition. Even other wise, there was no meaning since the train has already passed much beyond the station. I realised that GT Express is yet to come. In our haste to get in we did not notice which was the train. In the hope that I will change the train at the next station after getting down and catching the coming GT, I referred the Railway Time Table, which I always carried with me. But GT will reach that station, before this train reaches there. That means, this train will stop somewhere and allow the GT to pass.

The train stopped after some time in a very small station. In the platform, there was no light. I got down with my luggage. Knee high grass was all over. I walked back to the Guard’s compartment and spoke to him. I requested him to get the GT Express stopped there so that I can get in. He ridiculed me stating that how can GT stop there, where there is no stop. He told me to get inside the train, get another train next day for Delhi. He also warned me that this is naxal area and you have to be very careful. When I insisted, he told me to go to the first platform where the Assistant Station Master will be there and seek his help. I crossed all the three tracks of railway lines got up to the platform on the other side with much difficulty. The Station Master was in his small room. No other building. It was a very small station, probably with only one or two trains in the whole day.

First he was taken by surprise seeing me like that. Then I explained and pressurised him to somehow stop the coming GT express to enable me to catch and reach Delhi in time. He was sympathetic. He contacted the control room and conveyed my request. He was shouted at by the Control room for putting such a request. The ASM, then called the Guard. Guard contacted Khammam, but GT has already left. By the time, we could see the train coming. All of us got down near the central track. Seeing us and sensing some accident or so, he slowed down to find out. In short, I was able to get in to the train and continue my journey. A woman was sleeping in my berth, but when I told her that it is my birth, she readily vacated.

I reached Delhi on 10th and could attend the scheduled meetings. When I spoke to Com. Sampath Rao after reaching Delhi, he also told that they also realised later that I had boarded the wrong train. A wrong train and a right train!

In the early days, there was no direct train from Kerala to Delhi. You had to travel to Madras  and then catch GT Express, the only train from Madras to Delhi. Then came the Kerala – Karnataka Express (K.K.Express) and later Kerala Express. Much later Mangala Express via Konkan Railway started. Going to Delhi became easier and quicker.

After I was elected as the President and later General Secretary of the AITE Union Class III in 1991 and 1994 respectively, I had to be at  Head Quarters New Delhi. Wife and children being at residence at Calicut, I had to come now and then, which I adjusted with union programmes.

On such an occasion when I was returning to Delhi from Calicut, I met  my friend, a public person and owner of Railway Restaurant and who was also having contract of canteen in the Delhi train. We talked for some time and I boarded the train when it arrived. The train left.

I drink a lot of tea and coffee in the train and this time also it was not different. Meals also supplied. The supplier will not usually collect the money then and there from  long distance passengers and will collect the total amount before they reach their destination.

Just before reaching Delhi, I asked the supplier what was my amount. Smiling he told that the Canteen Manager has told him not to collect any amount from me and that the supply is free. I understood that my friend might have told the Canteen Manager  accordingly. Even after pressure, he did not accept money. It was useless to compel him.

Usually there is a practice of giving some money to the suppliers for their good service. I approximately calculated the amount of supplied of food and adding something more, I put the money in his hand and told that this is a gift from me to him, and not for the food. He gladly accepted.

When I met my friend after returning, I thanked him for his good gesture. He might not have known what happened. But I told him smilingly not to continue this in future. Later I started carrying food packets prepared from home as is the system with many passengers.

March 1993. We were going by train to attend the three days Central Working Committee of  E.III All India Union at Calcutta from 18th to 20th March 1993. Com. Moni was the General Secretary and myself President elected from Bhopal AIC after a stiff contest. This was the second working committee and first after parallel list was floated by the disruptors. Hence a large number of observers were attending the meeting.

Com.Moni Bose was a man who wants perfection in everything. He was fond of good food and also very particular that others also should have  the same. During the period I stayed with him at Dada Ghosh Bhawan and also whenever I have gone to his house in Calcutta, I have been overwhelmed by his loving care and pressure on me to consume the best food in large quantity. Even in his old age, he used to go to the market to buy vegetables.

It was not different in the train journey to Calcutta. In addition to two  of us there were  Com. Hari Om Dutt Sharma, Circle Secretary Delhi and many other comrades from Delhi, U.P., Haryana etc.  As per direction of Moni Bose, Com. Raghubir Singh, our office clerk, has brought a large number of chappathis in a dubba, sabji, fruits and what not. Com.Bagraj Khari, Treasurer, who boarded from his Ghaziabad also brought many eatables. It was really a feast.  It was supplied to some other passengers also. The journey was a time for eating and also discussion about the holding of the CWC and other union matters. As usual, I took many cups of tea and coffee in the train.

The CEC meeting was fruitful and took many important decisions. I wanted some books to be purchased and during the lunch break on the second day I got down from the Yuba Kendra building where the CEC was holding and caught a riksha to go to the book stall. I was pondering on some issues, but after a few minutes, all of a sudden I felt that the riksha was moving very very slowly. Looking to the rikshawalla, I realised to my shock that it was not a cycle riksha. A very old weak man was pulling the riksha by his hands and slowly moving forward. It was a hand pulled riksha.

I asked him to stop and got down. I asked him what is the charge to the book  stall. He said Rs.5 and I gave him the money. I engaged a taxi  and went to the book stall. 

Even now, one can see many hand pulled rikshas in the norther cities. In some cities like Calcutta, they were offered cycle / auto rikshas by the government, but many still prefer to their hand pulled rikshas.

1976. Com.A.K.Gopalan, M.P. along with wife Com.Suseela Gopalan reached Calicut by train in the morning. As asked by Advocate Com. P.K.Kunhirama Poduval, I went to the railway station and brought them in his car to his residence at Chalappuram. AKG was very ill. Dr. C.B.C.Warrier and Dr. N.S.Venugopal came and checked the condition of AKG. He took rest in the day. Party leaders came and met him.

They were to go to Coimbatore that night itself. I was asked to go to the Railway Station and confirm the ticket. As an M.P., A.K.G. was fully eligible with one co-passenger for free travel in First Class, but the reservation has to be made at the Railway Station with a  reservation charge of Rs. 2 or so. I went to the station, met the Station Master, who immediately made the reservation, even without taking any reservation charges from me.  He said it a was privilege for him.

It was the night train going to Coimbatore side, reaching Calicut about 22.00 hours or so. According to the time schedule, we went to the station and the train was already in the platform. With the luggage, medicine bag etc. we got in to the First Class compartment, in which the reservation was made. I went first through the corridor and finding the door closed of the particular coupe, knocked. After some time, one person opened and told that both the berths are reserved from Mangalore. I was telling him that the berths are reserved for Com.A.K.Gopalan M.P., but without saying anything he closed the door. I was shocked. Coms.AKG and Suseela were standing in the corridor behind me. Both of them were very tired. They heard what was spoken by the passengers. I was expecting sharp reaction from AKG, but both he and Suseela Gopalan were standing calm. I was ashamed of myself having put them in such a difficult situation. If I had contacted the station master when we reached the railway station, he would certainly have taken it a privilege to accompany Com. AKG to the train and there would have been no problem.

I rushed out to go to the TTE or Station Master, but the train started. I helplessly looked at the train with Com.A.K.G. and Com. Suseela Gopalan standing in the corridor with their luggage on the floor. I was horrified having put them in such an unhappy situation. I ran to the station master and informed that AKG has not got the reserved berth. He assured to do the needful immediately.

I rushed to the telephone exchange and contacted our union comrades at Tirur and Shornur to go to the Railway station and to ensure the berths for Com.AKG and Suseela Gopalan.  They got in the compartment when it arrived and got the information from the TTE that as soon as the train left, the Railway Officers who were sleeping in the coupe, realised their mistake, came out, apologised to Com.AKG, pleaded to be forgiven and they themselves put the luggage inside and arranged everything.

It was with much apprehension that next day I contacted Com. Suseela Gopalan at Coimbatore. But she calmly told not to worry, they have got the berths without delay. It was then and then only that I was relieved. But still, sometime when I remember the incident, I feel guilty and can not pardon myself.

1977 May.

Have you heard about Warrangal chillies? They are famous – for its size, red colour, and very hot. I was in Delhi and wife at Calicut. When I informed her  that I was going to Warrangal to attend CWC meeting of E.III(N) Union, she told me to bring some chillies. Fine.

After reaching Warrangal I told Com. J.Sampath Rao, Circle Secretary, who was organisng the CWC, about my wife’s request. Before proceeding, two words about Sampath Rao. A great organiser and leader, who have a big heart and always think big in every aspect. When the CHQ was worried about how to raise funds for purchasing a car for union, he offered and within months collected and handed over Rs. 1.75 lakhs, the cost of purchasing a Maruti 800 Car. Tours with him was always interesting. Everywhere, members will surround him to speak to him and I think he knew each and every worker in the whole of A.P.  A large number of workers will be with him to immediately act upon what he says.

Coming to the point. When along with Delhi comrades, I have boarded the train back to Delhi, Sampath Rao and some other comrades came to the compartment and put a big sack under the seats and said ‘your requirement’. They were immediately gone as the train started. I understood what was in the sack. I only wanted maximum one kg, but this was one full sack.

After some time, there was the sharp smell of the chillies. It spread all over the compartment within no time. Delegates with me understood what was in the sack. Passengers were asking where from the smell was coming. I had apprehension whether I will have to throw it away. After some time every body was adjusted to the situation.

Some lady delegates from Delhi were with us. They were very much interested about the chillies. After getting down at Delhi station, we opened the sack. There were three covers inside to prevent the smell coming out  but still strong smell. Distributed chillies to all. After a few days on going to Calicut, I gave the chilly packet to  my wife. Of course she was happy.

1997. It was the period of Membership Verification in Telecom Employees Employees Union Class III. The question was which is the correct E.III Union,  headed by V.A.N.Namboodiri or by M.B.Vichare? Continued tours were being organised by both the groups to ensure their own victory.

I had been touring district by district in circles along with other leading comrades. The tour in Bihar circle was decided from 2nd June 1997. I started from Delhi on 1st with with the scheduled arrival of the train at about 10.00 hours next day. I could not get any reservation. Delhi Patna route is one of the busiest in the country. And to get reservation ticket, you had to be in the queue for many hours. No time. Another secret. Reservation will cost more, which the union was not able to spend in that difficult time of financial crisis. Somehow managed the night by sitting.

A meeting was arranged at Patna at noon and I had to go to  Ranchi by 19.00 hours train.   But by about 09.00 hours in the morning the train halted at a very small station. Even after about half an hour, there was no sign of train moving. People got down in  the platform. On enquiry, it was found that there was a murder at Bhimapur and a bandh has been declared resulting in all the trains halted wherever they had reached. Trains were being picketted also.

I had not taken breakfast with the hope that it can be taken after reaching Patna and a good bath. It became certain that hours will take for the block to be cleared and train to start. It was such a small station, there was not even a tea shop. About half a furlong away two small tea shops were seen. Along with two others rushed there, took tea and two tasteless biscuits which was only what was available.

Waited and waited. At last the train started. Reached Patna Station at about 20.00 hours. It was difficult to get down, as the platform was full of people. Trains were in all the platforms. Somehow got down with my heavy suit case with dresses, books etc. Even to move an inch forward was  impossible. It was 7th or 8th platform and I had to go out to meet our friends there. Mobile services have started only a few months back and of course none of us had mobile phones. Whether our comrades will be there was also not known. Some how I climbed the stairs and was slowly moving to the first platform. The rush became so thick that I thought that I will be crushed to death. I even thought of throwing the suitcase on the track and jumping afterwards, which was suicidal. At that moment a burly railway porter with   many bags in head was moving the same way. I managed to get directly behind him. I was saved. I walked behind him and without any casualty.  Reached first plat form. Went to RMS office. Our comrades were waiting there. Noon meeting already missed.

Our train to Ranchi which was to start at 1900  will be ready to start by 21.00 hours. Took some tiffin. Started for the concerned platform. I felt relieved as there was help now.  The train was ready. Our comrades took me to the RMS compartment since there was no chance to get in any other compartment. The RMS comrades arranged two berths inside. I was so tired, I lied down.

But another trouble.  A policemen came to the compartment and asked the RMS sorters to allow their superior officer and family to get in and occupy the berths. Sorters told the berths are occupied. The policeman brought TTE to verify, whether we are sorters. TTE verified and we were safe. But in every station, postal bags were put in and the space was being cramped.

After three four stations again  policemen came with Railway officials to create trouble. I told our comrades ‘let us go to  other compartment. No need to make trouble for our RMS comrades’.  Since the front doors were blocked by the police, we got down by the backside and entered the next compartment and somehow got seats. The Railway officials entered the RMS compartment, but we were not there.

Next day we reached Ranch. The tour continued in that part of Bihar, which later became Jharkhand state.