Private Airports in Delhi, Mumbai charges higher rates for car parking.

12 Tuesday Nov 2013

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Every body who travels by air knows that the car parking charges in Delhi and Mumbai are much higher than that is charged by the Kolkata and Chennai Airports. All are metros. Of course, there may be slight variations in the number of flights to and fro from these airports.
While Delhi Airport levies parking charges between Rs. 100 and Rs.1,000 for duration of 30 minutes to 24 hours, Mumbai charges about Rs. 70 to Rs.900 for the same.
At Kolkata and Chennai airports, the charges for parking are only Rs. 60 for a duration up to 4 hours.
Why this drastic difference? The answer is that Mumbai and Delhi are run by private companies, while Chennai and Kolkata are run by a PSU, Airport Authority of India. Before handing over Mumbai and Delhi Airports to private, the parking charges in these airports were also far less than the present.
Now Government of India is planning to privatize 8 airports including Chennai and Kolkata. What will happen is known to every body. Not only car parking charges, but even tea and coffee in the airport will be charged more than double. This is privatization.
Despite the opposition of the airport employees and the unanimous report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transports headed by Com. Sitaram Yechury M.P.,against privatization of airports, the Civil Aviation Ministry is moving fast to sell the same to private companies for their maximum private profitization.
There should be strong protest against these anti-people measures.

Two Comrades who contributed their mite to the Union – Coms. JR and AR Tak

11 Monday Nov 2013

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Yesterday, 10th November 2013, I received calls from two senior comrades who have contributed a lot to the P and T / Telecom Trade union movement. They called to enquire about my health after hearing about my hospitalisation and treatment.

One was Com. J.Renganathan, Senior Comrade from Chennai, who was formerly the All India Vice-President of AITE Union Class III, Circle Secretary of AITE Union Class III, Chennai and a leader who was always in the forefront fighting against the revisionist leadership in NFPTE/NFTE. He had to face severe victimisation in connection with the various struggles/strikes that had taken place since 1960 Indefinite strike. After voluntary retirement, he continued the trade union and political tasks assigned to him. He was the editor of the ‘Uzhaikkum Varkem'(Working Class), the monthly magazine of the Trade Unions in T.Nadu. Still he is very active in the political and TU activities.

Comrade JR, as he is fondly called, Com M.N.Reddy, formerly Circle Secretary of AITE Union Class III, Hyderabad and later AGS of E.III Union elected at Bhopal AIC in 1991 and myself were a team which actively propagated against the revisionist policy of the OP Gupta leadership for years continuously, till at last OPG and team were defeated in Bhopal AIC. The leader was of course Com. K.G.Bose and after his death Com. Moni Bose. There were thousands of active workers who fought and sacrificed for the correct policy in the union. In all the AICs and by tour we worked hard to bring the workers to the correct approach and won at last at Bhopal AIC.

The second Comrade who contacted me was Com. A.R.Tak from Jammu and Kashmir. I met him after Bhopal AIC and when AITEU Class III (N) was formed. We had no connection in J and K. But during one of the AIC we met and he was fully in agreement that we should form AITEU III (N) in Kashmir. Accordingly meeting was held in Srinagar and our union was formed. He was the Circle Secretary and also was an office-bearer at All India. A very mature person with good relations with all the workers, he is liked by all. After a few years as Circle Secretary, he handed over the post to the present Circle Secretary, stating that he is a very capable and active leader. Even after vacating the post, he is continuously in touch with the movement. Our families are also very close having visited at Srinagar and at New Delhi.

I am thankful to both the comrades for contacting and enquiring about my health. Their calls made me remember the old days when we worked together to strengthen the organisation. Thank you comrades.

Tragedy – One dead and four trapped in Bihar Coal Mine

11 Monday Nov 2013

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It is reported that one worker has died and four others trapped in a Bihar Coal Mine, Chanch/Victoria area at Basantimata, near Dhanbad, as the roof caved in, while the mining process was going on. The mine is operated by Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL). Four workers are reported trapped in the same mine.
Hundreds of workers are now engaged in rescuing the miners inside the mine.

This is not the first time that such tragedies are occurring. Many instances have been reported earlier also. Every time, the government and the Managements assure more safeguards and safety measures, but after some time everything is forgotten. And the result is the loss of lives of workers. The government should investigate, find out the reasons and implement of remedial measures. Lives are precious and have to be saved.

By the time this post is published, it agains reported that 4 workers died and more than 25 are still trapped and the rescue operation is going on.

Kerala, Punjab and Gujarat the most equitable prosperous states

11 Monday Nov 2013

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According to a report filed by the analytical firm Crisil, Kerala, Punjab and Gujarat are the India’s most equitable and prosperous states. The equality index is measured in the differences in the living standard between the capital city and the rest of the state. Kerala is number one in this case.
Prosperity is measured on the average standard of living on the basis of the proportion of households owing four durable assets viz.television, computer, phone and automobile. In this case, Punjab is treated as the most prosperous state. This growth in Punjab is considered due to the improved and increased agricultural growth. In Kerala, it is due to the remittances from Keralites working outside India.
Maharashtra has the highest level of real income per person in the whole of the country, but is far behind in terms of equality. Haryana, Karnataka and T.Nadu are above Gujarat in prosperity index, but could not compete in the equality index.

First World War ( 1914 – 1918)

11 Monday Nov 2013

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The First World War 1914-18 ended on 11th November 1918. It was the biggest war since that time and was called the Great War. More than 70 million military personnel participated in the war. More than 9 million army personnel were killed. It was only after the Second World War, that this war was named as First World war. It started on 28th July 1914 and continued till 11 November 1918. The main war was between the Allies (Britain, France, Russia etc.) and the Central Powers (Austria-Hungary, Germany, Italy etc.). Many other countries joined this side or that side.Almost all the European countries were involved in the war.
The October Revolution in Russia in 1917 and the fall of the Czar happened in between. The Central Powers were defeated. By the end of the war four empires had collapsed – Czarist Russia, Ottoman Empire, Austria-Hungary and Germany.
The League of Nations was formed to ensure world peace,but as history shows, it failed and the Second World War started by about two decades.

Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad – A Freedom Fighter forgotten?

11 Monday Nov 2013

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Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad was the first Education Minister in Independent India. He was one of the foremost leaders of the Independence Struggle and was the President of the Indian National Congress in the Delhi Session 1923. Under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, there were the next level of leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, Rajendra Prasad, Vallabhai Patel, Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad, Subhash Chandra Bose, Jagjivan Ram and others.
A strong nationalist, Azad made all efforts to ensure for a united India. He was part of the Revolutionary movement of Bengal and was externed out of the state. He started the journal Al-Hilal and propagated the revolutionary ideas. He tried to stop Muslims from leaving India. He was well studied and as the first Education Minister from 1947 to 1958 placed a strong foundation for the education system. He passed away on 22nd February 1958. He was awarded the highest award of the nation Bharat Ratna in 1992.
But it seems that the nation, or at least the rulers, has forgotten him. Today is the 125th Birth Anniversary of Maulana Azad, having been born on 11th November 1888. Except a few advertisements in a few newspapers by the government, no important programmes are known or advertised.
The tomb or Mausoleum of Maulana Azad is near the historic Jama Mazjid in Delhi. But it is in a complete neglected state and street vendors are misusing it for their business. No maintenance is being done. It is time that this injustice to the memory of the Maulana is undone. His contribution to the country has been very valuable.

Remember Chicago Martyrs – they were hanged on 11th November 1887

10 Sunday Nov 2013

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It is on 11th November 1887 that the four accused in the Chicago bomb blast, a conspiracy case initiated by the rulers on behalf of the capitalists, were hanged in the gallows. The Martyrs were George Engel, Adolph Fischer, Albert Parsons and August Spies. They were not afraid and courageously faced the gallows. They sang Marseillaise, the International Anthem of the workers, when they were taken to the gallows. Just before they were hanged, Spies shouted “The time will come when our silence will be more powerful than the voices you strangle today!”
Even the relatives and family members were not allowed to see the martyrs before they were hanged. So much barbaric were the treatment given to the workers by the capitalists.
On this Martyrs Day we remember the great sacrifice of thousands and thousands of workers who laid down their lives for a better world to live in for the workers and toiling masses all over the world.
Revolutionary Homage to the Chicago Martyrs!

Com. Suchitra Lekhre, Asst. Circle Treasurer, M.P. passed away

10 Sunday Nov 2013

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With great shock and sorrow, it is informed that Comrade Suchitra Lekhre, Sr. TOA Indore and Asst. Circle Treasurer of BSNLEU, M.P., is no more. She was suffering from cancer for the last few months and succumbed to the same at 13.30 hours today, 10th November 2013.
Comrade Suchitra is the wife of Comrade S.M.Lekhre, senior BSNLEU leader and present District Secretary of AIBDPA, Indore. Both are active workers of BSNLEU, and earlier AITE Union E.III (Namboodiri). At the time of Bhopal All India Conference in Bhopal in 1991, Com. Lekhre has played a big role for the success of Com.Moni-Namboodiri panel. Both were active in progressive movements.
I had the opportunity to visit the Lekhres in their house along with other comrades much earlier. This time, when I visited Indore three months earlier to inaugurate the AIBDPA District Union, Com. Suchitra Lekhre, though she was seriously suffering, attended the same and met me and remembered my earlier visit to their house. That was the last time I met her. And today at about 14.00 hours, Com. Prakash Sharma, Dist. Secretary, BSNLEU, Indore, intimated by SMS the sudden death of our dear comrade.
Com. Suchitra leaves behind her husband Com. S.M.Lekhre and one son and one daughter.
I convey my heartfelt condolences to Com.Lekhre and family and comrades! It is a great loss.

Philippines shattered by Typhoon Haiyan

10 Sunday Nov 2013

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The super typhoon that hit Philippines have destroyed towns and villages completely which were in its way. More than 10,000 people are reported to have been killed by the ferocity of the typhoon. This is one of the most severe typhoon in several decades.
We join in the sorrow of the Philippines people in their great loss.

Greetings to AIBSNLEA Conference

10 Sunday Nov 2013

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FORUM OF BSNL UNIONS / ASSOCIATIONS OF NON-EXECUTIVES AND EXECUTIVES, NEW DELHI
10th November 2013
Dear Comrade Prahlad Rai,
I am very much thankful for your kind invitation to me to attend and address the IV All India Conference of AIBSNLEA to be held at Nashik from 10th to 12th November 2013. In fact, I have earlier intimated that I will be attending the opening session on 10th as required by you.
In between, I was hospitalised for viral fever and though discharged from the hospital, am not in a position yet to travel and attend your AIC. Hence, I may be excused for my inability to come and attend your August Conference. I am really missing meeting the delegates from all over the country and the function itself.
As all of us are aware, BSNL is in a big crisis, with posting of loss for the last four consecutive years. From the First Telecom Company position in India, it has now gone to the fourth/fifth position, though it still leads in Landlines and Broadband services. The downfall has come mainly due to the anti-PSU policies of the government and the non-professional top management. Of course, the executives and non-executives are also responsible to a certain extent. These issues have been discussed in the Forum several times. It was only through sustained struggles and demands by the Forum and the Unions/Associations that the management was compelled to procure at least some equipment and lines to continue with the service. We can take pride that the unions/associations in BSNL have risen to the occasion to defend the organisation and for a better service.
But this is not sufficient. A massive campaign among the workers as well as the people is required to convince them the necessity of the survival of BSNL for the benefit of the people and the nation. The private telecom companies, the corporate houses and the government itself with its neo-liberal policies have planned and are still on the move to privatise BSNL as has already been done in the case of case of VSNL (which is now Tata Telecommunications). Success of any such ill-motivated move will result in cartelization and high charges on the customers in addition to serious security risks for the country. All these have to be exposed to the people who are the real masters.
The massive National Convention on “Revival of BSNL” held at Mavlankar Hall, New Delhi on 3rd August 2013 and the Declaration adopted therein have given a clear strategy to be implemented for the survival of BSNL. Similar Conventions should be held at Circle/SSA levels and wide propaganda given to the issues and our decisions.
The Forum CHQ has already approached about 100 important Members of Parliament, belonging to various parties, including many Ministers for pressurizing for a policy change of the government and full support to BSNL. The Prime Minister, Finance Minister, Communications Minister, Secretary DOT and CMD BSNL have been specially approached for their support. All the Chief Ministers in the country have been addressed for their support by mandating that BSNL service should be ensured in all government departments and PSUs. All the CGMs of BSNL has been addressed for their full co-operation and co-ordination. Leaders of Unions/Associations in PSUs, Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers, AIRF, NFIR, AIBEA, BEFI, AIIEA etc., in addition to leaders of Central Trade Unions like INTUC, AITUC, BMS, HMS, CITU etc. have also been approached. It is necessary that our campaign should make the revival of BSNL and providing a better service to the nation, an important national issue.
In this connection, the Associations of the Executives, who belong to the middle management, have a great responsibility. And I am glad to place in writing that the executive associations have really contributed much to the improvement of the services. AIBSNLEA has always in the forefront of the struggles to save BSNL.
On the occasion of the All India Conference of AIBSNLEA being held at Nashik, I convey my Best Wishes for the success of the Conference and fruitful decisions. Please convey my Warm Greetings to all the delegates and participants on my own behalf as also on behalf of the Forum.
Yours Fraternally,

V.A.N.Namboodiri
Convener, Forum.

To
Com. Prahlad Rai,
General Secretary, AIBSNLEA.