FORMATION OF P AND T CIRCLE UNIONS, KERALA

Kerala State was formed in 1956. But it took more than 5 years to form Kerala P and T Circle, bifurcating from Madras Circle. Formed on 1st July 1961 with Director, Posts & Telegraphs (DPT) as head.Formation Kerala Circle Conference of all affiliated unions of NFPTE was held on 16th December 1961 at Thiruvananthapuram, capital of Kerala. I participated as Branch Secretary of E.III Union and Branch President of E.IV Union, Kannur. The conference held at DPT office premises and participated by about 130 delegates, took following decisions:

1. A Co-ordinating Committee of P & T Unions to be formed with representation from all unions.

2. Office of Co-Ordinating Committee and Circle Unions should be in same place.

3. Circle Conferences should be held jointly.

4. A journal to be published by Co-ordinating Committee.

The fact that NFPTE and its affiliated All India Unions functioned in same office, P & T House, in Delhi and NFPE Journal, P & T Labour, might have influenced such a decision. However, holding of Joint Conferences was a far progressive decision. It was a declaration of unity. A small house near General Post Office was taken on rent and ‘P & T House’ inaugurated. ‘Kampithapal’ (P & T in Malayalam), joint journal was started on 11thJuly 1962. High Court Advocate Com.T.C.N.Menon, M.P. was elected as Chairman and Com. V.K.Syed Mohammed, Circle Secretary of Postal Class III Union, as Convener of Co-ordinating Committee. Co-Ordinating Committees were formed at District and local levels.

Co-Ordinating Committee and Circle Unions ceaselessly made efforts for vacation of victimisation of 1960 strike and at the same time strengthening organisation. After some time, unions got recognition. Regular functioning started.

All my lodge mates at P & T Home were non-vegetarian. Preparing vegetarian food alone for me was a problem. Considering same, I shifted to another lodge on the side of the Fort maidan, which was run by LIC Comrades and which was fully vegetarian. Comrades Parameswaran Namboodiri, Easwaran Namboodiri, Chathukutty Nair, Bhaskaran Nair and a few others were there. I got a small room separately with table, chair etc. in ground floor. Convenient for me for going and coming at odd hours due to shift duties, without disturbing others. One key to front door was given to me. Stayed there till my transfer to Kozhikode in 1964.

Was elected as Branch Secretary in next Annual general Body meeting. All India, Circle, Divisional and Branch Conferences used to be held strictly every year. All Telephone Exchanges from Kasargode to Thalassery were under jurisdiction of Kannur Branch.

Whether duty or not, will reach Exchange in morning after breakfast. Reading, playing carroms, chess etc. in the club room. Playing badminton in evening in maidan on the side of exchange. Will be adjusted according to duty. I was elected as the Club Secretary also. Young new recruitees joining every two months after training. Staying in lodges and hostels. Much help to Union and Club activities.

Good relation between employees and subscribers. Strict instructions were there that identity should not be disclosed to subscribers. But, interestingly, many subscribers recognised operators by voice though they did not know their names and cannot recognise them by person. On the contrary, operators knew everything about subscribers. An interesting situation. It was only S.I. and Linemen who went to subscriber office for providing new connection repair etc.

Sufficient staff not available, especially in small exchanges. It was heavy work. For 24 hours duty and for granting weekly offs, there were only five operators in these exchanges. If anybody was to be granted casual or medical leave, one operator had to be sent on deputation from Kannur. Nobody was prepared to go since no DA or TA was given and the junior most official used to be sent. After becoming Branch Secretary, I volunteered to go since the days can be utilised for organisational activities there. Also relief to the unwilling junior officials.

Was deputed for a month to Kanhangad Exchange, in leave vacancy of Head Operator Com.John Vincent. Being senior most, was in-charge of exchange. In addition to regular duty, had to attend to many records, sending reports to higher authorities, attending complaints etc.Kanhangad exchange was a magneto exchange. Only about 50 local connections. Local, Trunks, Enquiries all to be attended. Switch board was old and faulty. Mechanic had to attend now and then. A grave problem came to notice. While one important subscriber is connected on trunk lines every day to Bombay at a particular time, another subscriber is cleverly overhearing same by simply lifting his telephone and asking for another local connection. Mechanic could not rectify due to faulty board. I noted the same in Log Book and informed higher authorities by telegram, requesting immediate action. For about one week, this continued, but still no remedial action. Sub-Divisional Office and Divisional Engineer, who were at Kozhikode and Thrissur respectively, took no action.

This situation could not continue. I spoke to many priority subscribers, told them that switch board is out of order and beyond repair. A new board is required for good service. They were asked to send telegrams, draft which I gave to them, asking Director General to install a new board. All of them send telegrams, as required.After a few days, without any intimation, DE, SDO and ESP came rushing to exchange, after meeting some of the subscribers who complained. Subscribers had told them that they sent telegrams as required by Head Operator. Officers were furious and questioned me why such action on my part? Why not informed them earlier? Showed them copies of the telegrams, log entries as also showed how certain subscribers were able to overhear others when speaking. They were still angry and threatened me with suspension and went away. But no disciplinary action, since they well knew that they were at fault. The good thing was that within a few months, new CB Board was got installed.

Was deputed to Payyanur Exchange several times. Most of the operators there were from T.Nadu and they took leave now and then. The magneto exchange was in a room in a line building and these operators were staying in other connected rooms. I also stayed with them. Maximum duty adjustments, which helped the officials to go to their native place now and then, with leave and without leave. Gradually all of them got transfer to their native place.

There were Linemen allotted to attend Railway communications/signals system called Telegraph Linemen. Every day they have to test these lines contacting telephone operator on duty. In case of fault, they have to move through railway line, find fault and rectify. They were issued with Railway duty passes within their jurisdiction. They were provided with Railway Quarters with 24 hours duty. They can take one mazdoor with them while travelling for attending duties. Many times they helped union leaders on tour. They were an intermediary for all officers, union leaders etc. while travelling in train. They were given importance by the Railway Staff also as maintenance of their lines depended upon these officials. (to be continued). Photos (1) Magneto Exchange (2) Magneto Telephone (3) Kampithal 2nd issue 1962 ( 4) Report on inauhuration of Kampithapal (5) Newly constructed P &T House at same site where original P& T house stood.+2

The All India Kisan Sangarsh Co-Ordination Committee which is spearheading the great and grand Farmers’ Struggle has given a call to boycott the products of the corporates, particularly that of Reliance.

Modi government is wholly responsible for the sorry state of affairs in the telecom sector for pursing a pro- Reliance Jio policy incurring huge losses to all the telecom companies except Reliance Jio. BSNL is not being allowed to start its 4G services despite declaration of a revival package on 23rd October, 2019. When all the private telecom companies are free to purchase equipments from foriegn companies and started the 4G service well in advance and now Jio has declared about the launching of 5G services in the near future, hurdles are purposely created to stall the 4G service of BSNL.

It is a known fact that BSNL is the only telecom company still capable of competing Reliance Jio, adding new mobile subscribers while all other telecom companies loosing lakhs of subcribers regularly. So the Modi government is bent upon to kill BSNL for the sake of Reliance Jio. AUAB is fighting against this nefarious onslaught which is supported by AIBDPA.

We can do more in resisting the greedy Jio by boycotting their services and switching over to BSNL by those availing Jio services for whatever reasons. Also we have to undertake a campaign for boycotting Jio services among the general public in the wake of the call of the farmers. (aibdpa website)

MY LIFE AND STRUGGLES – 14HISTORIC STRIKE OF JULY 1960For the first time, it was in 1946 that a Pay Commission for central government employees was appointed, which is called as First Central Pay Commission, with Federal Court Judge Shrinivas Baradacharya as Chairman. Raising the major demands of the workers, All India Postmen and Lower Grade Staff Union, under the leadership of its President Shri V.G.Dalvi, Bar-at-Law, issued a strike notice for indefinite strike from 11 July 1946, which spread like wild-fire all over India. In Bengal and some other states it expanded in to a P and T strike. The strike continued for long 22 days. All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), the only national trade union then, fully supported and organised solidarity general strike in major cities like Calcutta, Madras, Bombay etc. participated by lakhs of workers. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and some other Congress leaders as also Communist Party of India fully supported the strike.Government was compelled to discuss with the union leaders and settlement reached with all 12 main demands in strike notice accepted. A great victory for workers.National Federation of P and T Employees (NFPTE) formed on 24th November 1954 by merging all existing unions under Realignment Scheme, demanded formation of II Central Pay Commission and issued strike notice in 1957, as government did not concede the demand. However, just before strike, government declared appointment of II CPC with Supreme Court Justice Jagannath Das as Chairman with six other members. Strike was withdrawn.II CPC submitted its report in November 1959, which was completely retrograde. It neither did recommend Need Based Minimum Wage nor D.A. according to increasing cost of living index. It recommended Rs. 75 as lowest pay instead of Rs. 125/-, which is the need based minimum wage as per principles accepted by 15th Tripartite Labour Conference held in 1957. There was no recommendation to increase Dearness Allowance according to increase in cost of living index based on the increase of prices of essential commodities. II CPC recommended pay scales, simply by merging together existing pay and DA. This was worse than recommendations of First CPC.Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers, All India Railwaymens Federation (AIRF), All India Defence Employees Federation (AIDEF) and NFPTE met and formed a Joint Council of Action, which served notice to central government intimating its decision for an Indefinite Strike with effect from midnight of 11/12 July 1960.Instead of meeting JAC and discussing the demands, central government called the proposed strike as ‘Civil Rebellion’ and caused President of India to promulgate ‘Essential Service Maintenance Ordinance’ (ESMO), banning strike in essential government services like Railways, Defence, P and T, Civil Aviation etc. Those who go on strike will be punished by 6 months rigorous imprisonment and Rs. 500 fine; and those who instigate for strike will be punished by rigorous imprisonment for one year and fine of Rs. 1,000! Continuous news of drastic punishments was published in newspapers. All India Radio broadcasted against strike. CID, Special Branch and similar agencies started roaming in offices and residences of employees, creating terror. Prime Minister’s speech against the strike was continuously relayed through AIR. This was the pre-strike situation all over India, including Kerala. Black-legs were being recruited to work during strike. Unfortunately, some of the state government employees also volunteered to work.Shifted my residence from Poduval lodge to another lodge, as it became a disturbance to other inmates, who were other than CG employees, due to continuous presence of police and Special Branch. But disturbance by the police continued. We started a new P and T lodge near the telephone exchange with only employees of our department. We got adjusted to the police presence. Comrades K. Karunakaran Nair, K.P.Krishnamoorthy, P.Govindan Nair and K.L.Jose from the Head Post Office, M.Achuthan Kutty, M.N.Narayanan Namboodiri, C.Sreedharan Nair, K.Kumaran, M.A.Rappai, and I from Telephones were the inmates. Most of them were comparatively new recruits, me being the senior most in the telephones, with about barely two years of service. Of course, senior leaders of NFPTE were in Postal side like Comrades T.M.Janardanan, N.O.Anandan etc. to guide. Records of the union were safely kept with lady comrades staying in hostel.Continuous meetings were held in preparation for strike. Individual members were met to ensure participation. But, a section of seniors were vacillating. Orders after orders were circulated among employees intimating drastic punishments that will be imposed on strikers. Many of us were determined that whatever happens, we shall go on strike. It was call of our union.For the first time in Independence India, a mighty strike was going to take place. Workers were prepared to fight for their rights and Government determined to crush the strike with all the arsenals in their hands. The arrest of Secretary General of NFPTE Com. P.S.R.Anjaneyulu and making him walk through the Delhi roads handcuffed to Tihar Jail, just before start of strike gave indication, how government was going to deal with strikers. All members of Joint Action Council were arrested and jailed even before the strike. (To be continued). (For detailed information about the 1960 strike, kindly go through ‘History of P and T TU Movement’ authored by me).

MY LIFE AND STRUGGLES – 13AT CANNANORE (CONTD)I stayed about one year at Cannanore while undergoing teachers’ training and then again about 5 years while working in telephones. Cannanore always held a fascination, not only because my home is near, but also a large number of relations, friends and comrades are there. After Cannanore became district headquarters, it spread beyond its original boundaries.Cannanore was one town, where Persian and Arabian merchants visited for business purposes. Later, Europeans started occupying and fortifying the place due to its importance for navigation and defence. St. Angelo’s Fort is part of this tradition. There is a similar fort at Tellicherry. The Bekal Fort (now in Kasargode District) also has a long history. There was a big military barrack at Cannanore. One interesting factor is that many of the British Officers stationed here, married local women and while going back, provided them with shelter and money to sustain a comparatively better living. St. Michaels Anglo Indian School, founded in 1865, provided English medium education for both British as well as Indians.Arakkal kingdom, near Cannanore, was the only Muslim Kingdom in Kerala coast. Its history goes to 17th century or earlier. Its rulers were called Arakkal Sultan or Arakkal Beebi, as the case may be. A portion of the Arakkal palace is now a well maintained museum.Theyyam, a ritualistic form of art, is a religious-cultural tradition of this area. Many of the theyyams are based on life and achievements of local chieftains or martyrs. The ritual is performed by expert artists. Kerala Government has formed a Folk Lore Academy for promotion of such traditional arts. Happy to state that Com.Keecheri Raghavan, former BSNLEU leader, is the present Secretary of this Academy.Famous Parassinikkadavu Muthappan Temple, on side of Valapattanam river, visited by large number of devotees, is also near. The deity is Muthappan, a manifestation of Lord Shiva, as per folk lore.Another important place is long and wide Payyambalam Beach which hundreds of people visit every day. On one side of the beach, memorial structures of politicians and cultural leaders can be seen. These include that of Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna Pillai, a fearless journalist who criticised the wrong doing of Dewan of Travancore Raja and was banished from the kingdom. He died at Kannur in 1916 and is buried at Payyambalam. Memorial to Com. A.K.Gopalan, one of the greatest working class leaders, is also here. Memorials of Comrades E.K.Nayanar (former Chief Minister), C.Kannan, O.Bharathan, CITU leaders as also Coms.N.P.Padmanabhan and T.M.Janardhanan, two stalwarts of the P and T trade union movement are there.Central Jail is nearby, which accommodates maximum number of prisoners of Malabar region. During my service at Cannanore, used to visit these places.Lot of changes have taken place. A new Telephone Exchange has been constructed near railway station by 1970s. General Manager Telecom Office is working in a building about one km away. City has become very congested.A ball badminton court was prepared on the side of the telephone exchange, where we used to play in evenings. It was very popular game in Cannanore area. Our team won and got first position in Calicut Division twice. I was part of the team. Used to play chess and carroms in the club. Com. T.M.Koya, senior telephone operator (brother of Shri T.Abdul Rehman, well known foot-ball player), was adept in foot-ball, chess, caroms etc. There were many other sportsmen and players.As Recreation Club Secretary, I once asked the Baliapattam Plywood Company, one of the biggest plywood factories, to supply a carrom board, which they used to manufacture. They made it and supplied, one of the best carrom board I have ever seen; specially made for us. When I asked the price to pay for the same, the person who brought said that it is a present from the owner, Mr. Kader Kutty, who was a well-known industrialist of the area. We had to accept the gift. In the same way, when the telephone staff approached subscribers for collection of funds for Conference or so, which were very rare, subscribers used to donate liberally. There was a close bond between the staff and the subscribers. (To be continued). Photos (1) Theyyam (2) Parassini Kadavu (3) St.Michaels School (4) Payyambalam Beach (5) Arakkal palace

12Sankar K R Poonithura, Vijayan Nocholipoyil and 10 others

11^th December 2020 is the 46^th death anniversary of Comrade K.G.Bose, the great inspiration of the entire P and T workers and Central government employees. Com. K.G. entered the P and T Department in 1942 and within no time became very active in union activities. He, along with Dada Ghosh, founder General Secretary of NFPTE, led the successful Postal Strike of July 1946 in Bengal. He, along with other progressive leaders took initiative in the formation of Union of P and T Workers (UPTW) and later that of National Federation of P and T Employees (NFPTE) in 1954.

Com. K.G.Bose was arrested, jailed and dismissed from service in connection with the proposed strike of 1949 and was never reinstated. But he continued his service to the union. He was elected as the President of NFPTE in 1970 at the Vijayawada Federal Council to re-elected  next year at Calcutta Federal Council. Already he has been elected as the Circle Secretary of Postal Employees Union Class III  and Telecom Employees Union Class III of W.Bengal. Also elected as the All India President of the Postal Employees Union Class III. He was a charismatic leader with massive popularity. He encouraged young workers to take more interest in union activities.

He was elected to the W.Bengal Assembly as also appointed as a Member of the Pay Commission for the state government employees.

Continued tour and hectic activities resulted in deterioration of his health. He was found to be affected by Cancer and was sent to London for expert medical treatment. But he could not be saved. Com.K.G.Bose passed away on 11^th December 1974 leaving his family, friends and comrades in deep grief. He was only 54.

AIBDPA pays its respectful homage to the revolutionary leader Com.K.G.Bose! (AIBDPA Website)

AT CANNANORE

Reported at Cannanore Telephone Exchange in February 1959, on transfer from Kottayam.  The exchange was situated in eastern end of Fort Maidan and near General Hospital. Famous St. Angelo Fort, through which the ground got its name, was constructed by  Portuguese in 1505, conquered by Dutch and later captured by British. It was an important fortification and controlled sea movements. Recently, excavations have been made and guns, ammunitions etc. were found in there. Large number of people used to visit fort. A portion of  maidan was converted in to a football court, where  famous Gymkhana Foot Ball Club practiced. Cannanore, a centre of football fans. Almost always, there used to be food ball tournaments and large number of enthusiastic spectators, cheering players. We also used to be there.

Beyond road on eastern side of exchange, there was a very old Christian cemetery, which was full of big trees covering tombs. Many tombs belonged to British military officers, who died during  battles British have fought to conquer India. Details of their life, mission, date of birth and death were marked. Roots of the trees were a danger to the existence of tombs. Gate of the cemetery seemed to be rarely opened. However, visited the same two three times and went through writings on tombs. They were remarkable.

Cannanore was a CB Exchange, not yet upgraded to automatic. Three Local Boards, one Record Position and two Trunk Boards. It was all in same room. About 300 subscribers. Trunk lines to Calicut, Tellicherry, Mangalore, Kasargode, Kanhangad, Payyanur and Baliapattam. About forty employees including one Engineering Supervisor, who is the Officer-in-Charge, two Phone Inspectors, three or four LSG Monitors (Supervisors), Telephone Operators, Mechanics, Line Inspector, Sub-Inspectors, Linemen, class IV etc. Night duty only to male operators, though almost half were lady operators. It was a small building. There was scarcely space for dormitory, recreation club and other facilities. But as in case of all small exchanges, there was full co-operation and co-ordination amongst staff.

Many operators were Tamilians, probably because recruitment was made by P.M.G. Madras, waiting for transfer to their own state. They took me to the lodge where they were staying. It was run by Shri Poduval of Payyanur, who was the owner of a hotel functioning near railway Station. Meals will be brought to lodge for those who were not on duty. Duty staff will take meals from hotel.

Adjusted quickly with daily routine. Since lady operators liked morning duties, men operators took evening duties exchanging their morning duty with ladies. Some arrangements were there for making tea in the exchange, but for breakfast and meal you had to go to nearby hotels.

Union functioning was systematic. Collection of subscription on first day of month itself, when  Postman delivers salary Money  Order. On lower portion of M.O. form, details of pay, allowances, deductions etc. will be noted. Necessary to keep them for verifying later. Union general body meetings will be organized at least once in two months. Individual copy of union monthly journals from Central Head Quarters and Madras Circle used to be received in bundle, which will be supplied to members. Com.P.Narayanan, a Supervisor at Payyanur, was Branch Secretary. All exchanges from Kasargode to Tellicherry were under  Cannanore branch. In next annual branch meeting, I was elected as treasurer. Balance of Rs. 6, handed over to me. Monthly subscription was Re. one for Class III Union and 0.50 paise for Class IV Union.

Used to spend time after duty hours in Public Library near  telephone exchange as also in Khadi Stores, where I used to hand over khadi thread made by mother and receive khadi clothes. Shri Pampan Madhavan, senior Congress leader used to be present. Swami Chinmayananda used to deliver Gita Classes in Sreekandeswara Temple Talap, Cannanore. Some of used to go there to hear his excellent speech. In the morning, we used to swim and take bath in the temple tank.

It was very difficult to get leave due to staff shortage. Medical certificate was necessary even to get one day casual leave.  One day, approached Dr. Major(Retd) C.Raman in his clinic at Talap for one day Medical certificate. He started full test after asking me to remove shirt. Then he started shouting: ‘It is because of unhealthy persons like you working in the exchange, that we are not getting immediate attention when we lift our telephone. All of you require treatment here.’ He gave me some medicine free and also MC for one week, which I did not actually require. He did not take any fee, told me to come and test now and then. Of course, I did not go.  He was really a kind hearted man, but dealt with the patients in his army way. His brother was Professor C.Narayanan, who was the Principal of Guruvayoorappan College, Calicut.

Once in a week I will go home, meet parents and brothers. By   this time, both my sisters ere married. Elder sister Parvathi was married to Shri Ayadam Madhavan Namboodiri near famous Katathanad Temple  and sister Sreedevi  was married to Shri V.T.C.Kesavan Namboodiri of Veetiyot Illam at Kadiyangad, near Perambra. Eldest brother Kesavan Namboodiri with wife Sreevi Anterjanam and children had shifted to Chirakkal, where he was teaching in Raja’s High School. Brother Parameswaran Namboodiri was staying at Peruvallur near his school. Father, mother, brother Sankaran Namboodiri, his wife Sreedevi and children were at home.

Registered for appearing in Intermediate Examination of Utkal University. Also registered for Postal Tuition of British Institutes to prepare for appearing in departmental examination of Engineering Supervisor.  Started serious study for both. There was sufficient time and had full confidence of being successful. Had I continued as a teacher, I could have simultaneously continued studies and appeared in examinations. Was determined to continue studies to the extent possible. My elder brother had passed M.A. in Hindi, Malayalam and Sanskrit by that time.

I used to read English Daily ‘The Hindu’ from student days. On Saturday or Sunday will go to ‘Kunhi Palathra’ Illam, where Shri Thrivikraman Namboodiri, who was sub-Editor Hindu, had Hindu brought through post. This helped  improving my English to a certain extent. (To be continued).

MY LIFE AND STRUGGLES – 11

KOTTAYAM DAYS

As stated earlier, colleagues in Kottyam Telephone exchange were very helpful. They took care of this slender young man from Malabar. Com.E.S.S.Namboodiri, a senior operator, made arrangements for stay at Nagampadam in a Kovilakam situated by side of famous River Meenachil. Was allotted a convenient room. No others staying there, family residing at Kumarakom Kovilakam, few miles away on other side of river. Young Thampuran (Raja) will come now and then, stay few days. We became great friends.

There were four or five canoes, big and small, parked in the family jetty, including a very small one, ‘Kothumbu vallam’. I knew swimming well, having practiced in temple tank near my home almost daily. But I did not know rowing. I will climb in the Kothumbu Vallam, practice rowing through riverside. Many times it turned over throwing me in river. Gradually became adept. Once in a while, if somebody came to cross river, rowed the big canoe also. When royal family came, they will call from the other side; I will row and bring them this side. Once when family with many children came, I rowed to the other side and rowed them back. Children were playing in the canoe with all of them on one side and canoe turned over, me unable to keep boat balance. All those in boat, including women, were thrown overboard. I was shocked. All of them knew swimming well and there was no casualty. They consoled me, treating it as a joke. Was relieved at their noble gesture.

Exchange was on side of the main road near Thirunakkara Maidan. Temple festivals, public meetings used to be held there. Since there was sufficient time after duty, used to walk through the town aimlessly, seeing various shops, bakeries etc. There were a good number of schools in town. Public Library in the midst of town had large number of books. Used to be a regular visitor. National Book Stall was another attraction. Head office of Malayala Manorama, leading daily of Kerala also at Kottayam. Once or twice I went to the famous Ettumanoor Temple, a few miles away from town, which was a tourist centre.Used to have breakfast, meals etc. from vegetarian hotel just opposite telephone exchange. Hotel could be seen from trunk exchange and tea used to be ordered from there, which will be delivered within minutes. Sub-Divisional Officer was in- charge of exchange, whose office was in upstairs.

Union leaders approached for membership. All of us new recruits joined. All India Telegraph Engineering Employees Union Class III (called E.III Union in short) was one of the 9 affiliated unions of NFPTE (National Federation of P and T Employees). These 9 Unions were, two unions each in Postal, R.M.S., Telegraph and Telephones for class III and Class IV separately and one union for class III and class IV employees of P.M.G.Office. Since there was only one union for each sector as mentioned above, employees were either a union member or not. No rival unions. Hence, almost everybody a union member. We regularly attended union meetings.

Within days of joining, some telephone operators from Calicut approached me for mutual transfer. Applied for mutual transfer with Com. Chellamma, first operator who approached. Within few months, orders were issued granting mutual transfer. She got transfer to Kottayam and me to Cannanore, since Calicut was a feminized exchange, where only women operators were posted.

Almost all major exchanges in the country like Delhi, Bombay, Calcutta, Madras, Bangalore and Hyderabad were feminized. In Kerala, Ernakulam and Calicut were feminized ones.Probably British rulers thought that for discipline as well as courteous behavior, women were better. They were granted one advance increment in service, if they did not marry. After independence that condition was removed. Even when I entered service there were many unmarried women operators drawing special increment.This discrimination against women continued even after Independence for Air Hostesses and Nurses. It was only after sustained struggles and court judgments that these anti-women rules were cancelled. Even though women have entered almost all avenues including space travel, defence sector etc., male dominated society still continues to keep them away from strategic spheres. If a check is made about top posts in government, Ministers, M.P.s etc. one will find that women are a small minority. This injustice has got to be removed.

Cannanore was the nearest exchange to my home. We were happy. (to be continued). Photoes (1) Meenachil River (2) T.O.s working (3) Kottayam Telephone Exchange (4) Kottayam Public Library