On each and every day several times we have to open and close doors, half-doors and like-wise at home, office, railway stations, airports, hotels, parks etc. etc. Most of these doors and half-doors are automatized, especially in air-conditioned rooms. Many of us close the door immediately after we enter, without looking back whether somebody is coming behind us, resulting in much inconvenience to them, sometimes the door banging on their face. When opening the door also, this problem may arise if somebody is on the other side.

What is to be done? Kindly look back before you close the door to find out whether anybody is following you. In that case, hold the door, half-door till the other person hold the same. This is only but courtesy and good manners. It will be much appreciated.

Nation remembers Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India on his 133rd Birthday. This day is observed as Children’s Day in India.

SCFWA has been strongly demanding that the train ticket concession which was withdrawn during the covid period should be restored. Today, the Railway Minister has stated that all the concessions in train ticket withdrawn during Covid period will be restored. Let us hope that the orders will be issued soon and that it will not be an empty promise.

The meeting of the co-ordinating committee of BSNLEU-AIBDPA-BSNLCCWF held on 11th November 2021 on online has decided to hold its state convention at Ernakulam on 30th November. All preparations are being made for holding it successfully.

The National Convention of Central Trade Unions and Independent Federations held at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi on 11-11-2021 has called for a series of struggles culminating in a two days Strike in February, 2022. The presedium consisting of all the Presidents of the ten Central Trade Unions controlled the proceedings. The General Secretaries and leaders of the Central Trade Unions including Com.Ashok Singh (INTUC), Com. Tapan Sen (CITU) Com.Amarjeet Kaur (AITUC) Com.H S Sidhu (HMS) came down heavily on the Modi government for its naked privatisation drive, sales of national assets in the name of National Monetisation Pipeline, Anti-farmer Farm Acts, anti-worker Labour codes, attacks on civil rights and attempts to divide the people.

The Convention decided to hold countrywide Demonstrations on 26-11-2021, the anniversary day of the Farmers Struggle, in support and solidarity of the historic Agrarian Struggle.

The Declaration adopted by the National Convention called for intensive and extensive campaign for oraganising the National Strike successfully . State level conventions and joint meetings of Public Sector Unions are to be held.

AIBDPA fully endorse the decisions and calls upon all its units to participate in the Demonstrations on 26-11-2021 and other programs of campaign and extend whole hearted support to the two day strike. (AIBDPA Website)

BSNL unions have agreed for 0% fitment and the wage negotiation committee has been formed. The 0% fitment is considered due to the non-affordability of BSNL. But Pension is given by Government, the absorbed BSNL employees now retired were government servants, Ist and 2nd wage agreement and pension revision has been based on I and II PRC recommendations and hence the pension revision from 2017 should be with 15% as recommended by the III PRC.

Government should act without delay.

After a long period of delay, the Wage Negotiation Committee for the Non-Executives in BSNL has been formed with representatives of the Management and the recognised unions. BSNLEU has got 5 members and NFTE 3. The first meeting is scheduled to be held on 18th November 2021.

The central government has launched the first pan-India toll-free helpline–14567–for senior citizens called the ‘Elder Line’, which will aims to provide free information and guidance on pension and legal issues, extend emotional support, and intervene in cases of abuse.

Utilize the service, when necessary.

Senior Citizens friends Welfare Association (SCFWA) is the biggest organisation of the senior citizens in Kerala. It has got branches and district committees all over the state. It regularly takes up the issues of the elderly with the government and offers voluntary service. It is part of the Vayojana Council in the state. A monthly ‘Vayojana Vartha’ is published by the association.

The State Convention of SCFWA will be held at Ernakulam on 25th November 2021, which will be inaugurated by the Kerala Minister Smt. R.Bindu.

Some of the vested media in Kerala as well as T.Nadu are trying to create problems with regard to the differences of opinion between the governments of Kerala and T.Nadu on the issues of the height of the Mullapperiyar dam as also whether a new dam should be constructed.

The best method is to sort out the issue through discussion between the state governments and if necessary through the intervention of the Supreme Court, in which the issue is already there.