21st October 2015 is the 6th Foundation Anniversary of All India BSNL DOT Pensioners Association (AIBDPA), the vanguard Pensioners’ Association of the retired BSNL and DOT employees. It was formed on 21st October 2009  in the National Convention held at Garhwal Bhawan, New Delhi. The decision was taken to form the Association well in advance after thorough discussion at various levels so that the organisation is formed in a very democratic manner.

The National Convention was inaugurated by Comrade M.K.Pandhe, President of CITU and veteran leader of  the working class. It was addressed by Comrade S.K.Vyas, Secretary General of National Co-Ordination Committee of  Pensioners’ Association (NCCPA), which is the prime association of the Central government pensioners.

The background preparations and the need for such an organisation was explained in his key note address by Com. V.A.N.Nambodiri, General Secretary, BSNLEU, who took the major initiative for calling the convention. The Constitution of the association was presented and explained by Com. P.V.Chandrasekharan, veteran P and T Union leader. After detailed and through discussion by the hundreds of delegates present, the All India BSNL DOT Pensioners Association was born. Office-bearers were elected with Coms. V.A.N.Namboodiri (Advisor), P.V.Chandrasekharan (Patron), A.K.Bhattacharjee (President), K.G.Jayaraj (General Secretary) and M.L.Tiwari (Treasurer).

During the last 6 years of its existence, AIBDPA has grown and is now the biggest and most militant organisation of the BSNL and DOT Pensioners. It has got units almost everywhere in India and has a large membership and active leaders. It has organised many agitations on the demands of the Pensioners and had been part of the agitations of the BSNL employees. It has contributed significantly for the growth of BSNL.

AIBDPA is affiliated to the Trade Union International (Pensioners and Retirees), the international organisation of pensioners which is part of World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) and Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, is a Member of its Technical Committee. AIBDPA is also affiliated to the NCCPA, the Co-ordination Committee of the Central Pensioners Associations. Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri is its Patron since inception and Com.K.G.Jayaraj is its Organizing Secretary.

AIBDPA has organised many militant struggles and campaigns on the issues of the Pensioners, including Parliament Marches, Conventions, dharnas, demonstrations etc. several times.

Its Triennial Conference was held at Kannur (Kerala) in 2012 and the AIC is to be held by February 2016 at Tirupathi in A.P., for which full preparations are going on.

The six years  existence of AIBDPA has been fruitful and it has served the interests of the Pensioners as well as workers. It will continue to do so.

On this 6th Foundation Anniversary of AIBDPA, our Best Wishes and Greetings to all the BSNL DOT Pensioners, Friends and Comrades!