The Central Working Committee meeting of E.III N Union held at Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh, from 5th to 7th April 2000 was very important organizationally as it took various decisions including to publish a Hindi journal by name BSNL Swar, prepare for the membership verification, participate in the strike on 11th May 2000 called by the National Platform of Mass Organisations and holding a Joint CWC of like minded unions.The CWC was inaugurated by Com.Basudeb Acharya M.P., who is always a well wisher of the union.

After a well attended Press Conference, we went to the Indian Coffee House which was nearby in the State Government building complex. Wherever I go on tour, our comrades take us to Indian Coffee House, where you will get south Indian meals, iddli-sambar etc. Though I am not very particular, the local comrades make it a point feeling that it is my choice. Of course there is the pleasure of meeting some Keralites and talking to them in Malayalam, since most of the ICH workers including managers are from Kerala. In almost all the India Coffee Houses you will see a big photo of Comrade A.K.Gopalan  on the wall with a garland. It has got a background. The Coffee Board which was running the Coffee Houses all over India, decided to close them. Com. AKG, then an M.P., took up the issue with then Prime Minister Shri Jawahar Lal Nehru and decision was taken to hand over the same to the workers. The workers formed co-operative societies and operated the Indian Coffee Houses efficiently charging only reasonable prices. I went to the Manager who was a Malayalee, spoke to him and some of the workers. One of them was from Calicut itself. Had tasty meals.

Then started to Delhi by train with other Delhi comrades including Coms. R.S.Chauhan, H.L.Makkar as also some other comrades going to Ujjain, Agra etc. At Nagpur Railway Station we got down for a cup of tea. When we returned, Com. R.S.Fauzdar, Circle secretary UP West, found that his suit case was missing. We all searched here and there, enquired with other passengers. But the suit case was gone. Stolen. There was some money  in the suitcase in addition to dress etc. When you are alone in a journey, you are careful to look after your luggage and other things. But when you are in a company, you become careless.

Com.Fauzdar was much worried. Others discussed together and found out a way. Some money was collected and gave the same to Com.Fauzdar for his own-ward journey from the station, though he protested. I had two suit cases with me. I gave one to him. At least we were able to console him, though his loss was much more. Still, it was only when getting down at Agra and parting from us that we could see a smile on his face, though a sad smile of embarrassment. I hope Com.Fauzdar will excuse me for narrating the story.

AIBDPA CHQ has given call to organise Standing Dharna  demanding Medical Allowance and Medical Reimbursement to BSNL pensioners, which has been stopped by the Management for the last one  and half years. 

Organise the programme effectively.

From the Past – Com. Suseela Gopalan, M.P. & General Secretary AIDWA, inaugurating E.III (NFPTE) Mahila convention at Calicut on 29th November 1982. Despite her personal difficulties she managed to attend and inaugurate. She was the Chairman of P&T Coordinating Committee Kerala. While as M.P. at Delhi she took up a lot of issues of the P&T workers, met the Communications Minister and helped a lot. She also inaugurated a dharna in front of Sanchar Bhawan in restricted area despite threat of arrest. Just like Com.AKG she dared the police to arrest her. She left only after the dharna was over to ensure that we are not arrested after she leaves. She was available to the workers at any time of cisis. Whenever visited her official quarters at 20, Janpath, she never allowed to leave without offering a cup of tea. She was always a source of strength to all of us.

Red Salute to Com. S.R.Nayak, former Circle Secretary M.P. and AGS of E.III & BSNLEU on his 6th death anniversary! We remember you and your exemplary leadership of the union, your sacrifices and struggles for the advancement of the workers. You were always a tower of strength to all of us. Red Salute!

The Circle Working Committee meeting of M.P. Circle BSNLEU was scheduled to be held on  28th of October 2006 at Khandwa and as GS, I was requested to attend. I had booked train tickets for myself  and wife Pankajam to Khandwa sufficiently in advance. She was coming with me, since it was the place of my daughter in-law, Sunila and we can visit her family there. We went to the Railway station to board the train at 15.00 hours on 27th, but unfortunately tickets was not confirmed. It was difficult to travel in the heavy crowded train with out reservation, especially when my wife was there. Tried for flight, but that also could not get. We returned home and informed Com.S.R.Nayak, Circle Secretary and Shri P.N.Hedawoo, my daughter-in-law’s father that we will not be able to come.

Next day at early 04.00 in the morning, the District Secretary Khandwa, Com.P.L.Sapre, called me and said that I have to come to Khandwa, whatever be the means of journey.  Membership verification was to take place within two months and workers wanted to hear GS. No excuse will be accepted, he said.

I had no other choice. I went to the Airport in the early morning to get a ticket for the  Jet flight starting at 06.30 hours. No ticket. But got a ticket for the Sahara Express flight at 10.00 hours. Returned home, had breakfast etc and came back and boarded the flight to Indore. From Indore, comrades have arranged car to Khandwa. The CEC meeting was in progress. Spoke in detail. Met parents of Sunila at their house and had dinner.

Our comrades tried for train reservation for return journey, but failed. I had to reach Delhi some how next day. District Secretary stated that we  can go to Indore by car in the night, stay in the IQ and catch the early flight at 07.30 to Delhi.

At about 23.00 hours we started to Indore by car. The driver was  very experienced and knew all the road routes well. It was heavily raining and the high way was having heavy traffic. It may take some time to reach Indore and I will not get any chance to sleep. The driver and the comrade who accompanied me discussed and decided to go by a short-cut road, instead of highway, stating that it will reduce the distance by 20 to 30 km and save much time. So, on the way, the driver turned to the short-cut road.

The decision seemed to be  very good. There was no traffic jam, the road was neat and passing through villages. We made good time. Rain continued incessantly. We must have passed about 30 kms when some vehicles from the opposite side started coming. Within a short time we reached a place where a number of vehicles were parked on the roads with many people standing. The train has almost stopped. We also got down.

We were near a bridge, which was overflowing with rain water in torrents. Only the railings of the bridge can be seen. The current was very strong and nobody dared to approach the bridge. Any moment it can collapse also. On the  other side also there were many vehicles. Some people told that since the rain has stopped, the water will come down by about one hour or so and then will be able to pass. By seeing the torrents of water, it was difficult believe it. I have to reach the Airport at least by 06.30 next morning to catch the flight. Much distance to go.

The correct decision was to go back and go through the highway. The bridge on the highway are much higher and will be safe. We stood there for about half an hour and then returned the same way we had come. It was more than 30 kms. We came to the place where we had diverted from the highway and started for Indore. We were in real fright whether we will be able to get the flight.

We reached Indore by about 05.00 hours, rushed to the IQ, woke up the watchman, took bath and reached the Airport. We were in time fortunately.

Started for Delhi by 07.30 flight and reached Delhi before 10.00 hours. Target achieved.

Birth Day Greetings to Com. C.K.Gundanna, President, BSNLEU Karnataka Circle and great theatre personality!

Today is the 69th Birth anniversary of Com. C.K.Gundanna, our beloved leader who built up BSNLEU in its present position in Karnataka. He has been  the Circle Secretary of P&T Administrative Offices Employees Union and after Com.M.Sadanand, Circle Secretary of BSNLEU till last term. He is respected by the entire BSNL workers as the veteran leader who have been office bearer at All India also.

Com.Gundanna from early days was closely connected with drama and theatre. He also appeared in cinemas also. In fact, he sacrificed his cultural activities to a certain extend to be full time in the union activities.

While being the General Secretary, President etc. I had the opportunity to visit Karnataka, Bengaluru especially, several times times and I experienced the great hospitality of Com. Gundanna and his comrades.

Today morning over telephone I conveyed him my Birthday Wishes and spoke for some time about the past and present activities.

Wish many happy returns of the Day, Comrade!

Red Salute to Com. R.Seethalakshmi!

Sad News! Com. R.Seethalakshmi, former General Secretary of All India Postal Employees Union, Postmen & Grade IV, Vice-President NFPE and Convener CG Employees Women Coordination Committee passed away on 1st August at a hospital in Bengaluru.
Com.Seethalakshmi was a capable leader, whose life was dedicated to serve the postal and central govt employees.
During her tenure as GS at Delhi we had the opportunity to participate in many meetings together, some of which were held in her office or my quarters. She was always outspoken. She had clear ideological outlook on how to improve the lot of workers. She was the only woman who became the GS of any P & T union in my memory.
For preparing my book on ‘ History of P & T Trade Union’, she, like other GSs, helped by allowing to refer to the old P&T journals kept in her union office.
After vacating her post she returned to Bangalore and was closely connected with CITU and progressive movements.
I think the last time I met Com. Seethalakshmi was at the AIC of BSNLEU where she addressed the conference.
In her death the TU movement has lost a valiant leader.
I convey my heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and comrades.
Red Salute to Com. R. Seethalakshmi!

As General Secretary BSNLEU, I was on continuous tour to the circles, one after another in preparation for the first Membership Verification in 2002, as also other office-bearers. Tour of East U.P. Circle from 2nd to 5th July in a Tata Sumo. Covered 12 SSAs including Sultanpur, Rae-Bareli, Allahabad, Pratapghar, Joanpur, Azamgarh, Mau, Deora, Gorakhpur, Bashi, Gonda and Lucknow within four days, along with veteran leader Coms.R.S.Yadav, K.D.M.Tripathi, All India Vice-President, O.P.Verma, Circle secretary, K.R.Yadav and others.

The last meeting was at Lucknow and everybody were dead tired. The leaders accompanied me to Lucknow railway station to send me off to Delhi. Since the train was to arrive at 22.00, and all were very tired, I told them to go home and rest. The train Vyshali arrived at about 22.30, half an hour late. Though the platform was long, my compartment was beyond the platform.There was rush and push, and I also managed to climb the steps of the train to get in. The suit case was in my hand and the ruskin bag was hanging from my shoulder. I thought that somebody was trying to snatch my bag and I firmly held the same.

After reaching my berth, I checked my pockets and found that the purse was safe there. But when I looked at the  ruskin bag, it was cut neat, probably by a blade. I checked inside and realized that my  mobile phone has been stolen. It was purchased in 2000, a Motorola with a small antenna, that was one of the best that time. I had put the mobile in the bag before getting in to the train. How the thief knew that the mobile was in the bag?

The train was still in the station. I put the suit case in my berth, asked another passenger to keep a watch and rushed to the platform. I met a police constable and reported the theft. He told me that he is on train duty and that  I have to complain to the police station which is in the first platform since the theft was in the platform itself. The train was in 7th platform and there was no time, no question of going to the first platform. The train would depart by that time.  I got in to the train and it moved.

I went to sleep clutching my suit case and bag. By about 01.00 hours the police constable came, woke me up and told to accompany him to the ‘train police station’. I accompanied him to the next compartment, where three police constables including one SI was there. They asked me about the theft and I told them in detail. Then I was asked to give a written complaint. I went to my berth, tore some sheets from the diary and wrote a complaint and went to the ‘police station’ and gave it. It was in English. They  said that the complaint should be written in Hindi only. Why? Any way I went back to my berth, managed the complaint in Hindi, again went to ‘police station’ and submitted. They prepared an FIR in Hindi, which took a very long time, in between asking me many questions.  It was almost early morning by the time I could return to my berth. Fortunately, my luggage were safe. Reached Delhi by 07.00 hours. As advised by the ‘police station’ I filed a copy of the FIR at Delhi Police Station.

Mobile phone has become indispensable. Bought a new instrument. Since I had the FIR with me, mobile company did not charge for the SIM card. Later I found out that even if there is no chance for recovery of the lost mobile, it is better  to file FIR, since you will not be responsible for any criminal act done through that particular sim by the thief.  Now one could block the instrument as well as the sim if they are lost, making it useless for the thief.

I am overwhelmed by the hundreds of telephone calls and greetings on social media wishing me on my 82nd birth anniversary on 24th July 2020. (Many comrades have wished me on 12th June also since that is the date of birth in official records done by mistake at the time of admitting in school and which I missed to got changed later). I have completed 60 years in trade union field starting with participation in the glorious five days strike of CG employees in 1960, which was ruthlessly crushed by Jawaharlal Government.
Since the later part of 1970s, I have been functioning as an office bearer of the all India Union, as Asst. General Secretary, General Secretary, President and Patron respectively and now as Advisor of AIBDPA and Patron of NCCPA. Continue as President of BSNLCCWF since its formation in 2006. Now the SCFWA in
Kerala has honoured me by electing as its President in the last Conference. Our comrades, colleagues, friends and of course my family, have extended all support, encouragement and help in discharging my duties. I thank all of you for the love and affection shown to me during all these years. I assure you that I will to continue my responsibilities and duty to the society as before. Red Salute Comrades!

From the Past – Punjab Tour in 1995

It was the time after Thiruvananthapuram All India Conference of E.III Union (NFTE)in 1994. Membership Verification of unions for recognition was in the agenda. Government, DOT, NFTE combined team attacking E.III Union and mass transfers of its office bearers at all levels. Hectic tours being organized by union. Following is an example of the tour programme organized in Punjab during September 1995.

24th.Sept. – Started from Delhi at 13.00 hours – Bus from ISBT to Chandigarh. Reached Chandigarh at 19.00 hours. Circle Secretaries Com. H.S.Dhillon (E.III) and R.L.Moudgil (T.III), Gurcharan Singh, Vice President received at Bus stand. Discussion about tour. Stayed in office.

25th – Met Com. Baldev Singh, CC Member, CPI(M). At 08.00 started by Jeep along with Comrades Gurcharan Singh, H.S.Dhillon, R.L.Moudgil and Swaran Singh. Driver also union comrade. Reached at Ropar, a small exchange. Discussed with the comrades there, explained certain issues. Next meeting at Navshahar. Received by Coms. Mahajan and Banka DS. Small meeting. By about 15.00 hours Hoshiarpur. Two brief meetings at TRA and Exchange / DMT Office. Next stop at Pathankot, where Railway Comrades became martyrs in 1968 September 19 strike. Meeting held at residence of Com. Mahajan DS, T.III. since opposition by officers at office. Stay and food also there.

26th – However a meeting organized in front of Pathankot exchange. A meeting at TRAO office. Com. Satpal Singh reached. Meeting first at Gurudaspur and then at Batala. Stay at Satpal Singh’s house.

27th – Early morning started for Amritsar. City of Golden Temple and Jalianwala Bagh. Though members are very less, held a meeting at Amritsar. OPG’s followers tried to stop entering the office. Myself went to Trunk room and spoke for about half an hour. Meeting at Telegraph Office also. The to Jalandhar. Big city. Meeting there also. Stayed at office.

28th – Started for Ludhiana, big manufacturing city. Separate meetings at GMT(O), TRA etc. Very big meeting at telephone exchange. Place of Com. Gurcharan Singh, All India Vice-President. That of Coms. Balbir Singh and Balbinder Singh. Next meeting at Moga participated by a large number of workers. Dt. Secretary Com. Jaswant Singh. Two more meetings at Faridkot and Firozpur. Stay at Kamaljit Singh’s home at Moga.

29th – Continues journey from Moga and attended meetings at Kotkapura, Muktsar, Malot, Bhatinda and reached Sangrur. Stay at office.

30th – Very good meeting at Sangrur in the morning. Next meeting at Patiala. Though the fort of the revisionists, held meeting. Questions answered. Many joined our union. Returned to Chandigarh in the evening. In the night by bus to Delhi and reached next day morning.

Almost all the important centres covered in Punjab in seven days and meeting held at about 30 centres. Sometimes lunch, otherwise snacks or fruits to save time. Hectic tour. Punjab which was a strong state of revisionists, within years came to our side. Thanks to the Punjab Comrades!