Red Salute to Martyrs Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev!

22 Saturday Mar 2014

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March 23, 1931 is a day written in the blood of the eternal young martyrs Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev who sacrificed at the altar of freedom for the country. It was on this day these young freedom fighters were hanged by the British on the charge of terrorism against the British Empire.
They were not terrorists, but the true sons of the country. They were young and wanted mother India to be free. It is to be remembered that Bhagat Singh was only 23 years old when his life was cut short by the hangman’s knot.
Bhagat Singh very well knew that he will be hanged. But he and his comrades were not afraid. What Bhagat Singh told to his comrades, before the sentence was pronounced shows how these comrades thought about the punishment.
I am quoting below the following from the Book on Bhagat Singh written by his comrade and another accused, Com. shiv Verma, who escaped hanging.

“Then Bhagat Singh laughed and said: Our punishment will be ” To be hanged by neck till we are dead. This is reality Comrades. I know it. You also know it. Then, why shut the eyes to it?”
He continued ” This is the highest award for patriotism, and I am proud that I am going to get it. They think that by destroying my terrestrial body they will be safe in this country. They are wrong. They will kill me, but they can not kill my ideas. They can crush my body, but they will not be able to crush my spirits. My ideas will haunt he British like a curse till they are forced to run away from here.”
” But this is only one side of the picture. The other side is equally bright. Bhagat Singh dead will be more dangerous to the British enslavers than Bhagat Singh alive. After I am hanged, the fragrance of my revolutionary ideas will permeate the atmosphere of this beautiful land of ours. It will intoxicate the youth and make him mad for freedom and revolution, and that will bring the doom of the British imperialists nearer. This is my firm conviction. I am anxiously waiting for the day when I will receive the highest award for my services to the country and my love for my people.”

Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev were hanged on 23rd March 1931.

Bhagat Singh was correct. The spirit never dies. And it did not die in this case also. The whole nation revolted and the freedom came much earlier than expected.
( Excerpts from ” Bhagat Singh on the path of liberation” by Shiv Verma”)

Red Salutes to Shahid Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev!

Meeting with Com. N.O.Ananadan Master, Senior P and T Leader

22 Saturday Mar 2014

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There are many senior comrades of the P and T Movement, who are retired years back, but still continues to keep close connection with the workers and the union movement. Com. N.O.Anandan Master is such a comrade.
While at Kannur to attend the SSA Convention of BSNLEU and AIBDPA on 21st March 2014, I got the opportunity to meet him at his home.Before starting of the Convention, along with Coms. K.Mohanan, Circle Secretary BSNLEU Kerala, P.Manoharan, Circle Asst. Secretary,BSNLEU, C.R.Manoj BSNLEU Comrade and my wife Pankajam, I went to the home of Com.Anandan Master. He was very happy to receive us along with his wife Smt. Sita, daughter Com. Latha, who is working in BSNL and is a very active union leader and her husband Com.T. Chathukutty, working in SBI. We talked about the historic struggles, our common comrades like N.P.Padmanabhan, former Secretary, NFTE, T.M.Janardhanan (Janu Master ), who have let us. I shared my memories of Kannur when I worked there from 1959 to 1964 and about the historic 1960 strike. Of course, we had a tasty breakfast together.
I was happy to see that passed 85, Comrade Anandan Master is still keeping good health. He has kept a lot of old books and journals and also photos connected with the P and T Union movement.
When we departed to attend the convention, Anandan Master and family came up to the gate to see us off.
There are many such senior comrades all over the country who have sacrificed their entire lives for the workers and their movement. It is an inspiration to meet and discuss with them.
Thank You Com. Anandan Master for the few minutes which we shared

Com. AKG Remembered.

22 Saturday Mar 2014

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Comrade A.K.Gopalan, the undisputed leader of the working class, was remembered today, 22nd March 2014, on his 37th Death Anniversary.

Com.AKG, as he is fondly called by his comrades and friends was an agitator, mass organiser and also atop leader of CPI(M). A Freedom fighter, he turned to Socialist and then to Communist ideology. He was one of the first few members of the Communist Party in Kerala.

As the Leader of the Opposition in the Parliament during the period 1950s to 1970s, Com.AKG took up the workers and people’s issues effectively with vigour and zeal. He gave valuable guidance and support to P and T Unions.

On his death anniversary, my Revolutionary Greetings to Comrade AKG!

BSNLEU Day Celebrated in Kozhikode

22 Saturday Mar 2014

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BSNLEU Foundation Day, 22nd March 2014, was celebrated at Kozhikode by organising a well attended meeting in the PGM Office premises. Com. Purushothaman, District President, presided. Com. Jayarajan District Secretary, BSNLEU welcomed all.
Inaugurating the meeting, Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, spoke about the heritage of BSNLEU and the circumstances under which the UNion was formed by merging 8 existing unions. The achievements of the union during the last 13 years were also focussed. Com. Vijayakumar, ACS, BSNLEU and Com. V.Bhagyalakshmi, convener, State Mahila committee addressed.

Revolutionary Greetings on BSNLEU Day!

22 Saturday Mar 2014

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Today, 22nd March 2014, is the 13th Foundation Day Anniversary of BSNL Employees Union, the mighty progressive union of the BSNL Employees. My Revolutionary Greetings and Best Wishes to all of you on this day!

BSNL Employees Union during the last 13 years have been serving the BSNL workers, raising their issues, negotiating and making sustained struggles for achievement of the same. Many important issues including two wage revisions, NEPP and other issues could be settled with the full support of the workers, which benefitted them as never before. BSNLEU will continue to do the same in future also.

BSNLEU has taken initiative to bring all the non-executive and executive unions together to make all out efforts to improve BSNL and its services to the people. The mighty struggles and strikes organised by the JAC/Joint Forum/ Forum compelled the government and the BSNL Management to backtrack from its decisions to implement Disinvestment /Retrenchment / VRS etc. in BSNL. The Forum’s strong reaction to the proposal of the Government to merge BSNL and MTNL, without settling the crucial issues like wage differences, disinvest of MTNL to the extend of 46.5%, huge loan liabilities of MTNL etc. compelled the government from moving forward. But we have to be still vigilant and be ready for instant action if any such decision is taken.

BSNLEU took the initiative for forming the JAC of the Non-Executive Unions for taking a united stand on the workers’ issues and go on agitation unitedly. As part of this unity effort, it strongly initiated for the recognition of a second union also and brought recognition to NFTE, which will benefit BSNL and its workers.

BSNLEU is part of the working class movement in the country. It has got a great heritage. It has assimilated all the inspiring tradition of the P and T Trade Union movement under the leadership of the founding fathers like Babu Tarapada Mukherjee, Henry Barton, V.G.Dalvi and Dada Ghosh. BSNLEU has always taken guidance from the Revolutionary leader, Com. K.G.Bose, who inspired a whole generation of workers and will inspire the future generations.

BSNLEU has taken part in all the struggles organised by the Central Trade Unions and CPSTU, the Co-ordination Committee of the PSU Unions. Our activities and participation are well appreciated.

BSNLEU is part of the world working class. Its representatives have participated in the Congress of World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) since 2005 as also the Trade Union International (TUI) of Public Services, which is affiliated to WFTU.

BSNLEU leaders and workers had been in the forefront of the struggles and had sacrificed themselves to the cause of workers. The fight for justice to workers has been a long and strenuous. This will certainly continue.

The formation of All India BSNL DOT Pensioners Association (AIBDPA) and BSNL Casual and Contract Workers Federation (BSNLCCWF) was another achievement of BSNLEU.These two organisations have strengthened and are functioning as the champions in their respective areas.

BSNLEU stands for the working class unity. It stands for progressive ideas. And it will always be in the forefront of the struggles for the cause of BSNL workers.Let all of us pledge to continue and improve our work and struggle for the cause of the BSNL workers.
Revolutionary Greetings to all our Comrades, Friends and Well Wishers on BSNLEU Day!

AIBDPA – BSNLEU Convention at Kannur

21 Friday Mar 2014

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The SSA Unions of AIBDPA and BSNLEU Kannur District organised a very impressive Convention jointly on 21st March 2014 at Com. T.K.Balan Memorial Hall. The hall was full with some comrades even sitting outside the hall. Com. K.Kunhiraman, SSA Secretary, AIBDPA presided.
Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, President BSNLEU and Advisor AIBDPA inaugurated the Convention. In his speech, he mentioned about the latest developments in BSNL, including the proposal of the government to merge BSNL, formation of new companies bifurcating BSNL etc. and called upon the workers for rallying round BSNLEU to fight the saem.He also briefed the house about the latest position on 78.2% IDA pension fixation, Barcelona Congress of Pensioners and Retirees etc.
Coms.K.Mohanan,Circle Secretary BSNLEU, P.Manoharan, ACS, BSNLEU, Ravindran Kodakkad,DS, BSNLEU, P.V.Unnikrishnan, SSA President AIBDPA ,K.R.R.Varma, ACS, AIBDPA, P.V.Rajan, DS BSNLEU, Nandakumar, Circle Vice-President, BSNLEU and other leaders addressed.

BSNLEU Kerala Convention at Thiruvananathapuram

21 Friday Mar 2014

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The BSNLEU Kerala Circle Convention as per the decision of CHQ was held at Thiruvananthapuram on 20th March 2014. In addition to the CEC Members, a large number of representatives from all the SSAs participated.

The Convention was  pr, BSNLEU.presided by Com. A.V.Kuriakose, Circle President. Com. K.Mohanan, Circle Secretary welcomed all and briefed about the purpose of the meeting. Com. M.V.Govindan Master,  senior CPI(M) leader inaugurated the Convention. In his speech, he explained the historical perspective of labour and capital, the struggles of the workers and also the anti-worker attitude of the government and the neo-liberal policies being implemented by the UPA Government. The class character of both the ruling class parties viz. Congress and BJP was analysed. He assured all support of the Left movement to the struggle of the BSNL employees.

Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, President, BSNLEU explained the latest development in the telecom sector and the struggles being organised under BSNLEU and the Forum for survival and strengthening of BSNL. The background of the recent agitation against BSNL-MTNL Merger and connected matters, the formation of JAC of Non-Executive Unions and charter of Demands ec. and the BSNL workers role in the general elections were also briefed.

Coms. P.V.Chandrasekharan, veteran leader of P and T Union movement, K.Mohanan, Circle Secretary, R.Muralidharan Nair, AGS, V.Bhagyalakshmi, Mahila Committee Convener, Jacob Thomas (NFPE) and other ledaers addressed. Com. Pratapan, Treasurer proposed vote of thanks.

Comrade K.Arjunan, undaunted fighter.

19 Wednesday Mar 2014

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This is not the original Arjunan of Epic  Mahabharata, who doubtless was an undaunted fighter who led the Pandavas to victory.

This Arjunan is another undaunted fighter who has led and fought many struggles in the cause of the workers and toiling masses. Comrade K.Arjunan, former Circle Secretary of All India Telegraph Traffic Employees Union, Class IV, has been part of the might Co-Ordinating Committee of P and T Unions, Kerala Circle and a veteran leader of the P and T workers. He was victimised in all the struggles of the P and T Employees. I knew him earlier, but we became close associates, after I came to Thiruvananthapuram from Calicut, after my election as President and later as Circle Secretary of the AITE Union Class III.

The P and T Co-ordinating Committee organised several mighty agitations, in all of which Comrade Arjunan was an important part of the leadership. He had no doubt or vacillation at any time for moving to struggle. He fully involved in all these struggles and was greatly respected as such.

I met him once again yesterday, 18th March 2014, in the Convention of the AIBDPA,  held at Thiruvananthapuram, which he presided. Since his eye was operated recently he did not absent himself, but came wearing dark glasses as per advice of the Doctor. Despite the fact he is 75 years and retired about 17 years back, his speech still has its strong accent and the energy for many more struggles. He is an important leader of the AIBDPA, who I am sure will lead the pensioners in the correct direction.

My Revolutionary Greetings to you, Comrade Arjunan.

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Celebrate BSNLEU Day on 22nd March 2014!

19 Wednesday Mar 2014

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On 22nd of March 2014, BSNL Employees Union will be completing 13 years. Formed on 22nd March 2001 at the National Convention of Telecom Employees at Visakhapatnam, called by the progressive unions in the newly formed BSNL,  BSNLEU during the last 13 years have grown to become as the biggest union. It was the only recognised and representative union in BSNL since the second Membership Verification in 2004 to 2013, till it took initiative for grant of recognition to a second union also.

During the last 13 years of its existence, BSNLEU has been able to achieve two wage agreements for the employees, a new Promotion Policy as also many other achievements. It has taken the lead fight against disinvestment and privatisation and stopped the government from selling its share. It has taken initiative in forming the Joint Action Committee/Forum  of the Associations/Unions of Executives and Non-Executives which has organised many struggles and strikes to save BSNL and improve its services as also on the demands of the workers. The workers have rallied around BSNLEU due to its sincere and committed functioning. It took initiative in forming the organisations for the Pensioners (AIBDPA) and Casual, Contract Workers (BSNLCCWF) and jointly fought for settling their issues. BSNLEU has also done its due role amongst the PSU Unions. Now it has also taken initiative to form the Joint Action Committee of Non-Executive Unions/Associations for focussing and organising struggles for settling the urgent demands.

Another achievement of the union is the purchase of a new union office building at New Delhi at Shadipur area. The building has been purchased and was inaugurated on the BSNLEU Day, 22nd March 2012. The purchase could be made only due to the whole hearted support of the members throughout the country. The purchase was made by the balance amount in the union accounts and a loan of Rs. 1.5 crore from the bank. CHQ has called for further donations and we are sure that the members will donate generously again to repay the loan. By purchasing the building within 2 years of taking the decision in the Thiruvananthapuram All India Conference, CHQ has been able to fulfil the long cherished dream of the BSNL workers.

We have been celebrating the BSNLEU Day every year by organising some social service like blood donation camps, helping the poor school children by donating uniform and books, kambals and dresses to the poor and old etc. I have no doubt that our Branches/Districts will continue this social service this year also on the BSNLEU Day.

BSNLEU has grown to the present position only with the wholehearted support of our members and well wishers. We thank them and congratulate them ! Let us observe the BSNLEU Day in a befitting manner.

CEC meeting of BSNLEU, Kerala Circle

19 Wednesday Mar 2014

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The Circle executive Committee meeting of BSNLEU Kerala Circle was held at P and T House  Thiruvananthapuram on 19th March 2014.  Com. A.V.Kuriakose, Circle President, presided.  Com. K.Mohan, Circle secretary, welcomed all.

Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, All India President, BSNLEU, addressed the CEC and explained the decisions of the CEC Rajkot for effective implementation. He also spoke on the decisions of the Forum as well as the newly formed formed JAC of Non-Executive Unions/Associations.

The CEC discussed in detail about the issues and organisation matters. The task of the workers in the present situation, the general elections also were discussed.

Tomorrow, a Circle Convention of BSNL Employees is also being held.