Today is World Senior Citizens’ Day. As per the call of the United Nations General Assembly, 1 October is being organised as World Senior Citizens’ Day from 1991.
Those who have completed 60 years of age are usually called senior citizens. They are also treated as old people. They had during their past served the nation, worked tirelessly, brought children, educated them and showed them a way for future. Now in their old age they require light work, if they can do, and rest. They require love and help from others. They become weak gradually and require health care and expert treatment.

But are they getting all the above ? It is doubtful. Of course, many senior citizens live happily with their families. But a large number of senior citizens face extreme difficulties, pain, and harassment from their own families. They are not looked after and sometimes abandoned altogether. Their lives become hell.

In many countries, the children and the old people are treated as the treasure of the society. All benefits are given to them first. Their health is taken care of. Even the education that they could not get earlier in their life is provided. Socialist Cuba is in front of all these countries.

India has also many rules in this respect. But it is seldom implemented.

On this World Senior Citizens Day let us continue our efforts to help and ensure the self respect, health and future life of the Senior Citizen.

Peoples Republic of China was formed on 1st October 1949 and completes 65 years on this October first.
65 years is a short period in the history of a country. But in this short period Communist China has grown to be one of the strong force in the world, whether on development, growth or even militarily.
India has a close relation with China for centuries. Let us continue this relation.
Our Warm Greetings to the people of Peoples Republic China on their most imporatand Day, the Independence Day.

The government inaugurated the Minimum Pension Scheme of Rs. 1000 to EPF pensioners w.e.f. 01-10-2014. Wage ceiling for eligibility of social security measures have also been increased from Rs. 6500 to Rs.15,000. It is stated by govt. that this will benefit 32 lakh Pensioners.
This is one of the long pending demands of Pensioners. The Central trade Unions have been putting much pressure on the government. The UPA government had declared that this will be done, but they did not issue orders till the general elections.

The Heavy  Industries Ministry is moving fast to close the once prestigeous PSUs HMT Watches and Hindustan Cables along With HMTBarings, HMT Chinar Watch, Hindustan .Photo Films, Hindustan Cables and Tungabhadra Steel.
According to the proposal, the Govt. will spend about Rs.1,100 crores for one time settlement of the dues of the employees who lose jobs when the PSUs are closed.
After sale, the assets of the companies, including land will be sold.
Of course, BJP Government is repaying its debts to the corporates for the huge election funds received.

The request of Staff Side for grant of Three months of pay advance to the suffering BSNL employees has been accepted by the CMD BSNL in the National Council Meeting today. We are trying to get the orders issued early.

At last the news of success of the Mangalyan has been received. It has reached Mars Orbit.
Hearty Congratulations to all those scientists and others who made this great success for the country!

By this October 1st BSNL will be completing 14 years. After born on 1st October 2000, the baby was healthy and was growing fast for the first few years. She was getting healthy and hygienic food and she grew.
But her good growth was not appreciated by her parent, the government, who already had a second young wife, the private companies. The father was dancing to the tunes of the stepmother and started neglecting the daughter. The stepmother harassed and victimised her.
She is now 14. She wants to grow, but there are many obstacles. But she is determined to grow and there are thousands and thousands who wish for her good health.
Give all support and Solidarity to BSNL to grow and be leader of the telecom services in India.

The flood in J and K is receding but the situation continues to be most serious. Some of the hospitals in Srinagar are still under water.
Today I was able to contact Com.A.R.Tak, our former Circle Secretary, who stays outside Srinagar. He said that the houses of our comrades in Srinagar, including that of Circle Secretary Com.Nisar Ahmad, District Secretary Com. Bashir Khan are all submerged. They are not available on phone also. I tried several times but could not contact our comrades.
Almost all govt. offices are still out of   function. The rehabilitation programmes continue.
It is the time to help the people of Kashmir. Implement the decision of Forum by contributing one day basic salary to the J and K Relief. Forum has also demanded BSNL Management to immediately pay one month advance pay to the suffering employees.

It is reported that Communications Minister is moving to return Rs.7000 crores of  Tax to BSNL remitted by the latter to the government. It is also stated that DOT has been asked to refund the Rs.6794  crores to BSNL for the spectrum returned.
If the report is correct it is a good decision. The Forum of BSNL Unions/ Associations has been continuously demanding that the government refund these amounts, but there has been no response so far.
In this connection an amount of Rs.1250 crore from the USOF which has already been approved for 2013-14 should be also paid immediately.