Two Days Strike on 20-21 February and our task

04 Monday Feb 2013

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15 Unions/Associations in BSNL have served notice to the BSNL management declaring their decision to go on two-days strike on 20-21 February 2013. The call given by the 11 Central Trade Unions include a Charter of Demands which high lights the major demands of the workers and common people. There are two – three important demands which are directly connected with the PSU workers including BSNL workers. No Disinvestment of PSUs, issues of casual and Contract workerws, minimum wage of Rs.10,000 for unorganised workers etc. are focussed in the Charter.
Probably except the associations of the executives in BSNL, almost all others have already issued notice for strike. Executive Associations have decided to give full support and solidarity to the strike. But that is not sufficient. In the last oneday strike called by the Central Trade Unions on 28th February 2012, more than 10 crore workers participated in the strike. This time it will be more. Participation in the strike is the responsibility of all organisations since it is not only focussing our demands but also telling the govenment that the workers as a whole are behind the demands.
I request the Executive Associations to discuss the matter once again and ensure that they also participate in the strike as they have participated in the11th 2007 July strike. I hope that a positive decision will be taken by them.

The Government should urgently help BSNL, MTNL

04 Monday Feb 2013

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Both BSNL and MTNL are in financial difficulties. Both have posted loss for the last three years. This year also it is not going to be different. The chances are that the loss may increase.
It is a moot question to ask. If the BSNL and MTNL were not formed and the services were being provided by DOT itself, this position would not have arisen. But Government has consciously created the present situation by corporatisation. All the present problems have started with the corporatisation.
As such, now it is the responsibility of the government to take necessary steps to restore the financial viability of both these PSUs. Sufficient Funds should be urgently given, the inefficient management should be made to be accountable and the co-operation of the workforce ensured.
The workers and their organisations are ready for maximum support and co-operation, but the initiative is to be taken by the management.This is completely lacking, unfortunately.
We can not blame others and sit silent. A massive movement of the BSNL and MTNL workers is necessary to change the situation. Workers and their unions/associations have to take this great task to rejuvenate BSNL and MTNL.

Cold and Hot – India is a nation of diversity

04 Monday Feb 2013

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I started in the early morning from Delhi to Calicut in Kerala. It was cold, not very cold, in Delhi. After 7 hours I reached Calicut. The moment we came out of the plane, it was hot, really very hot.
India is a large country and when one end is cold, the other end is hot. Though Hindi is the National language and the majority of the people know Hindi, the mother tongue of many states is different like Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, Teleugu, Panjabi, Bengali etc. The culture is different. Almost people of all the religions in the world reside here. There is no dearth of temples, mosques, Churches, Gurudwaras and other religious centres.India has got a very glorious past going back to thousands of years.
But what is the present position. Intolerance to other religions and different opinions, high level corruption, attacks on women, influence of black-money – the list is long. A change for the better is required. Whether this government will do anything rectify and improve the situation? The chance is very less. A mass movement by the people and working class is essential for the same.

AIBDPA All India Conference at Kannur starts on 6th Feb..

03 Sunday Feb 2013

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All arrangements are being done by the Reception Committee at Kannur for hosting the All india Conference of All India BSNL-DOT Pensioners Association in a very successful way. Coms. P.V.Chandrasekharan, Patron and K.G.Jayaraj, General Secretary AIBDPA have already reached Kannur and are looking after the arrangements. All India President Com. A.K.Bhattacharjee, other office-bearers, Advisor Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri are all expected to reach Kannur by the morning of 5th. A Central Working Committee will be held on the day.

The AIC will be inaugurated by Com. Basudeb Acharya, M.P. and will be addressed by Senior Officers of BSNL and DOT as also TU leaders.

Book on BSNL Casual – Contract workers – Hindi Edition

03 Sunday Feb 2013

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The much expected Hindi Edition of the book on casual and contract workers in BSNL along with the orders on wages, social security measures etc. has been published now. The English Edition was published about a year back. It was very much helpful for the workers as well as the management. The Hindi Edition is priced Rs. 30/- for one copy.
Those who wants the book by post may send Rs.50/- by M.O. Some copies will be brought to the Central Executive Committee Meeting of the BSNLEU to be held at Warangal on 26-28 February 2013.
The address to which M.O. to be sent: V.A.N.Namboodiri, President, BSNLCCWF, D-7, Telegraph Place, Gole Market, New Delhi – 110001

Women’s Oganisations oppose Ordinance on seelective approach

03 Sunday Feb 2013

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New Delhi, February 2: National Women’s Organisations jointly issued the following statement:

The undersigned women’s organizations oppose the selective approach of the Government to the Verma Committee recommendations, which negates the democratic process that has preceded its preparation.

The Govt. should have adopted a holistic approach to the Verma Committee report, which is comprehensive, and multifaceted; the present piecemeal, and fragmented ordinance can only serve to sabotage the intention of providing recourse to victims of violence.

Some significant amendments concerning culpability of the state, punishment to officers, including those with command responsibility, the issue of bringing the army personnel under the jurisdiction of criminal law, have been excluded from the ordinance. The violence suffered by women in conflict situations are also exempted. Issues of sexual autonomy, the rights of women not be raped within marriage, the concerns of those with alternative sexualities, have been ignored. The discussions around the death penalty which led to the Verma committee not including it in the recommendations have not been considered. These clearly show that the Government has not done justice to the report on these important aspects.

While the Verma Committee recommended that rape should be made gender specific, this has not been accepted in the ordnance, which dilutes the seriousness of the crime against women substantially. Women’s organizations were also petitioning the Govt to strengthen certain provisions to ensure time bound trial, proper rehabilitation, and inclusion of aggravated assault for crimes against the oppressed castes and classes. The additional exploitation faced by dalit adivasis, economically backward sections should also be included.

It would have been better for the Government to move for amendments in Parliament keeping in mind the holistic perspective that has bd calses jhhas to be addreses by theeen an important feature of the Verma Committee recommendations. Such a democratic exercise is still necessary. We call on the Govt to review the ordinance, and adopt a more comprehensive approach to the Verma Committee Report..

(Sudha Sundararaman)–All India Democratic Women’s Association, (Sheela Kakde) — All India Women’s Conference , (Dr. Indu Agnihotri) — Centre for Women’s Development Studies, (Jyotsna Chatterjee) — Joint Women’s , Programme, (Dr. Mohini Giri) – — Guild of Service, (Vimal Thorat) — All India Dalit Mahila Adhikar Manch , (Annie Raja) — National Federation Of Indian Women, (Azra Abidi) — Muslim Women’s Forum , (Leila Passah) Young Women’s Christian Association of India.

Homage to Com.O.P.Gupta

03 Sunday Feb 2013

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Com. O.P.Gupta – A Homage
V.A.N.Namboodiri
President,BSNLEU
Comrade Om Prakash Gupta, the veteran leader of the P and T and Central Government, is no more. He left us on 6th of January 2013, in the Military Hospital, New Delhi, where he was admitted for serious breathing problems. He was 90.
The death was unexpected. Even a few days before, he had come and attended a meeting of the Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations meeting held at BSNL Mazdoor Sangh Office and even spoke for some time. A few weeks back he had come to my residence in Gole Market, had a cup of tea and discussed for some time certain issues like pension. Before going, he had another cup of tea. In fact, just like me, he was fond of tea/coffee.
When Com.P.Abhimanyu, General Secretary, BSNLEU, informed at about 21.30 hours on 6th January 2013 about the death of Com. OPG, I could not believe it first. When I have met him a few days back he seemed OK. I, immediately contacted Com.R.K.Kohli, who confirmed the sad news. On my part, I intimated the news to our comrades through SMS. When I contacted and conveyed my condolence to his son Shri Salil Gupta over phone, he informed that the funeral will be held at Lodhi Road Crematorium at 11.30 hours next day. Along with Com. Giriraj Singh, General Secretary of AIRMS Union Class III, I reached there on 7th morning, before the last rites started. Family members, friends and many union leaders had already reached the spot. I paid my homage to the departed leader and placed a flower wreath on behalf of the BSNL Employees Union and myself.
At the announced time, the body was taken to the pyre by his two sons Salil and Kapil and other family members. After certain formalities, the pyre was lit. The fire went up and the body was in flames.
A condolence meeting was held outside of the cemetery by the union workers present. I presided and expressed my deep grief on the death of the great leader and conveyed condolences to the bereaved family members. Comrades C.Singh, GS, NFTE, P.Abhimanyu, GS BSNLEU, Suresh Kumar, GS, BSNLMS. R.K.Kohli, GS, NFTBE, K.G.Jayaraj, GS, AIBDPA, Jaya Prakash, GS FNTO, M.K.Bagchi, Chairman Joint Forum, R.Krishnamoorthy, NFTE, Pattabhi Raman, NFTE and other leaders addressed. All the workers stood in silence for one minute paying homage to the respected leader.
Another condolence meeting was held at New Delhi CTO Conference Hall which was attended by many leaders and workers from Delhi and nearby places. I also attended a condolence meeting organized by R.IV Union at the Market Road Post Office. Along with other leaders I also paid my homage and spoke in remembrance of Com.OPG. Throughout the country, many such condolence meetings were held to pay homage to the departed leader.
A great working class leader, who has dedicated his entire life to the cause of the P and T and Central Govt. employees has passed away causing an irreparable loss to the movement. It is very difficult to have another such colourful personality for a long time.

O.P.Gupta – his entry in to P and T Unions
Born to Shri Ram Lal Gupta and Smt. Sona devi on 08-04-1922, Om Prakash Gupta got educated at Karnal and Lahore. He got employment in Defence Department, but was dismissed in 1942, probably due to the connections with Communist Party. That was the time when many young men were denied jobs or lost jobs after the police verification.
In the P & T Department, unions have been formed since the first decades of the 20th century. Indian Telegraph Association formed by Henry Barton, All India Postal & RMS Union formed by Babu Tarapada Mukherjee, The All India Postmen and Lower Grade Staff Union formed by Com. V.G.Dalvi and Indian Posts & Telegraph Union were already in existence. The historic 1946 Postal strike was launched from 11th July 1946 on a 16 point Charter of Demands. While a large number of workers joined the strike, the leadership of the AIPRMS refused to join the strike. The strike got complete support from the Congress and AITUC, the only central trade union at that time. Massive rallies were organised in Madras, Bombay and Calcutta in support of the strike. The strike was treated as part of the Independence movement. The government was compelled to discuss with the unions and to accept 12 out of the 16 demands. The strike was called on 6th August 1946 after agreement. It was a historic strike in which majority of the demands were achieved.
The leadership of the unions which did not participate in the strike in AIPRMSU were compelled to resign. It was at this time that Com.O.P.Gupta was appointed in the Union office. To pass over the crisis in the organisation, he was appointed as Probationary General Secretary at the young age of 25. The ‘ khadi clad in kurta, pyjama and Gandhi cap’ young man never looked back.
The success of the strike and the demands raised created an atmosphere for unity of the existing unions. Com. O.P.Gupta took a pivotal role along with Com.B.N.Ghosh, Com. K.G.Bose and other leaders in forming the Union of P&T Workers (UPTW). In the name of the proposed 1949 P&T strike, the new government of free India took harsh measures. Almost all the leaders including O.P.Gupta were arrested, even before a formal decision could be taken in the meeting being held for declaring the strike. Many comrades were dismissed/terminated from service including Coms. K.G.Bose, Moni Bose etc. Com.Janak,( who later married OPG ) who was the Branch Secretary of the union in Delhi was also terminated at that time. OPG was in jail for 14 months.
NFPTE formed in 1954
The formation of the National Federation of P&T Employees (NFPTE) on 24th November 1954 uniting all the existing unions in P&T was an important mile stone in the forward march of the P&T trade union movement. The historic conference held at Delhi on 24 November 1954 formed 9 unions, two (Class III and Class IV) unions each for Postal, RMS, Telegraph and Telegraph Engineering and one for the Administrative Offices (together both for Postal and Telegraphs). Com. OPG was elected as the General Secretary of the All India Telegraph Engineering Class III Union as also All India RMS Union, Mail Guards & Class IV. Com. B.N.Ghosh (Dada Ghosh) was elected as the Secretary General of NFPTE.
The Historic 1960 strike
The first two decades of NFPTE was full of struggles. The proposed strike of 1957 for appointment of II Central Pay commission was withdrawn after the demand was agreed to by the government. The recommendations of the II CPC was completely unsatisfactory and NFPTE along with other Central Government organisations like Railway, Defence, Confederation of Central Govt. Employees and Workers (of which NFPTE is also an affiliate) called for indefinite strike demanding minimum wage, grant of DA according to the increase in Cost of Living Index etc. The strike started on 11th July 1960. The government treated the strike as ‘Civil Rebellion’ and suppressed it with all the powers at its disposal. Essential Services Maintenance Ordinance (ESMO) was promulgated and thousands of workers were arrested, jailed, dismissed, terminated, suspended and charge sheeted. Even outsiders who supported the strike were arrested and jailed. Top leaders including the Secretary General NFPTE, General Secretaries including OPG – all were arrested and put in jail. The strike could not continue more than 5 days because of the brutal repression and the same was called off by the leaders who were in jail. It was only after the strong protest and exposure of the unheard of brutal victimisation of the striking workers in the Parliament by leaders like coms. A.K.Gopalan, S.M.Banerjee and others that the government was compelled to take all the workers back in service.
A One Day Token Strike was organised on 19th September 1968. The victimisation was more than in 1960. The main demand was the ‘Minimum Wage’ again. It took many years to vacate the victimisation.
In all these struggles, Com. O.P.Gupta took a pivotal role. In addition to the post of General Secretary, he was elected to the post of Secretary General of NFPTE later.
Differences in NFPTE
The one decade from the late 1960s to the late 1970s was a period when there were serious differences in the Left, which reflected in the NFPTE with serious consequences. In the 1970 Federal Council, Coms. K.G.Bose and A.S.Rajan were elected as President and Secretary General of NFPTE defeating the candidates supported by OPG. Instead of accepting the verdict of the Council, OPG and others with him tried to make all obstacles in the functioning of the Federation and in the next Federal Council in Calcutta, a parallel list was floated well knowing that they cannot win. NFPTE was thus divided and the government supported OPG group. This again adversely affected the participation in the 1974 strike with one section of Confederation and NFPTE participating in the strike and another led by OPG opposing the same. The government effectively utilised the differences to their advantage. Many officials were victimised for the strike.
The unity was restored in the Federal Council held in Bombay in 1976 and later in the E.III All India Conference at Chandigarh.
P&T Bifurcated
The P&T Department was bifurcated in to Department of Posts and Department of Telecommunications in 1984 and consequently the NFPTE was also bifurcated in to NFPE and NFTE in the Calcutta Federal Council.
However, the differences in the approach to the issues as well as the government continued in NFTE. Com. OPG started taking individual decisions and a compromising position with the government against the common interests of the workers. This resulted in a stiff contest in the All India Conference of the AITEU Class III Union at Bhopal in 1991 in which the panel with Com. Gupta as General Secretary was defeated and myself and Com. Moni Bose elected as President and General Secretary respectively. Although Com. OPG accepted the election initially, but within 6 months he created a dispute and hurdles for the normal functioning of the union. These disputes and different approach on issues and struggles adversely affected the union functioning.
BSNL formed
Despite strong protest and strike actions by the Federations and Unions in DOT, the government formed the new telecom corporation, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). It came in to being on 1st October 2000. An agreement was made by the three federations with the government ensuring govt. pension for the BSNL absorbed employees as also regularisation of thousands of casual labour engaged in DOT. Com.OPG played a dominant role in reaching this agreement.
Conversion of CDA to IDA scales
On the demand of the unions, discussion took place and a new wage agreement was reached in 2002 between the unions and the management converting the CDA to IDA scales. The workers got a fair increase in the pay scale.
Recognition of Union in BSNL
In the first membership verification in BSNL in 2002, OPG led NFTE to victory and recognition. Though the management was ready to recognise two unions as in the DOT, OPG insisted for recognition for only one union as per the Code of Discipline. BSNLEU which was second with only a difference of 15,000 votes in the total votes of 2,95,000, it was denied recognition as also proportionate representation as demanded by most of the unions. This hard position taken by OPG as Secretary General of NFTE turned against NFTE itself in the future verifications.
BSNLEU wins next verifications
From the second membership verification onwards, BSNL Employees Union with myself as the General Secretary got the majority votes and was recognised as the representative union, instead of NFTE, which had to satisfy with the second position in the polls and no recognition. It is by this time that there was a change in the leadership of zNFTE and Com. M.B.Vichare was elected as General Secretary in place of Com. OP Gupta, who became the President. By 2007, Com. Om Prakash Gupta, retired from elected posts, but continued to advise and guide the P&T workers in his capacity as a senior leader.
The death of his wife, Com.Janak Gupta, during this period was a serious blow to OPG. His health also started failing. Though he had several times stated that he wanted to die in the Dada Ghosh Bhawan itself where he was staying from the 1960s onwards, his failing health and also change of the chief executive post resulted in his shifting from DGB and staying with his sons’ families.
And the end came unexpectedly on the fateful day of 6th January 2013 in the Military Hospital in Delhi.
6 decades of uninterrupted service
Com Om Prakash Gupta was a leader who mingled freely with everybody and kept close contact with his co-workers and comrades. He led a very simple life and was approachable to all. He was not shy to express his opinion and fight for the same. Controversies were part of his life and work, but nobody doubted his sincerity to the workers cause.
I met him for the first time in 1959 at Cannanore (now Kannur, Kerala), when he visited there on organisational tour. I was, of course, impressed by his big build, but more impressed with his approach to the ordinary workers like me. Later I had the chance to work under him as the Circle Secretary of E.III Union, Kerala, as also as the Asst. General Secretary of the same at the Central Head Quarters till I resigned from that post along with Coms. Moni Bose and others, protesting against the reformist and compromising position taken by him. And it ended up in the elections in Bhopal AIC in 1991.
During the last five decades, there have been several occasions when we held different views on many issues even when we were in the same or separate unions. But it never affected our personal relations. Even when we fought bitterly on issues, our personal relations were warm and cordial. There are many important incidents during our long association, which I do not want to narrate here due to paucity of space. It has to wait for another time.
OPG, the Leader, the Fighter
While Babu Tarapada Mukherjee, Henry Barton and other pioneers started the Unions in P&T and brought it up with great sacrifices, it was Dada Ghosh, K.G.Bose, O.P.Gupta, and other leaders who united the P&T movement in to NFPTE and led and strengthened it. Com. O.P.Gupta had a pivotal role in all these.
He always thought about the workers and their future. He fought for what he thought was right and was fearless fighter.
My respectful homage to the great leader of P&T and Central Government Employees!
………………

The Battle of Staligrad remembered – A report

02 Saturday Feb 2013

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VOLGOGRAD, Russia (Reuters) – The city of Volgograd readopted its old name of Stalingrad for a few hours on Saturday, as Russia commemorated the 70th anniversary of the battle that turned the tide of World War Two.
The victory in the six-month Battle of Stalingrad, which killed about 2 million people, is a symbol of national pride which has produced an outburst of patriotic fervor and, for some, nostalgia for the Soviet era and dictator Josef Stalin.
President Vladimir Putin flew to Volgograd, known as Stalingrad from 1925 until 1961, to lay a wreath and meet veterans after a military parade led by soldiers in World War Two uniforms and featuring a wartime T-34 tank.
“I saw cities in Europe that were practically untouched by the war, countries that capitulated to the more powerful enemies even before war was declared,” First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said in a speech at the parade.
“But we are not like that. Our grandfathers, our fathers, our older generation, our great leaders, fought here for each building, for each street.”
Hundreds of war veterans turned up for the parade on Volgograd’s central Square of the Fallen Fighters, their coats weighed down by medals, the youngest of them now 89.
After Stalingrad, Soviet troops fought their way westward to Berlin, taking the German capital 27 months later.
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“It’s very important to remember this battle,” said Valentina Olekhina, who was celebrating her 70th birthday.
She was born in Stalingrad on February 2, 1942, the day Nazi German Field Marshal Friedrich Paulus told his forces to cease fire after he was captured in a cellar by Soviet troops.
“I think my mother went into labor out of relief or excitement. I was born outside but I don’t know exactly where,” she told Reuters.
SURGE OF PATRIOTISM
Putin did not attend the parade but flew to the city 900 km (600 miles) south of Moscow after holding a reception for veterans in the Kremlin on Friday.
“At the heart of all Russia’s victories and achievements are patriotism, faith and strength of spirit,” Putin said on Friday. “In World War Two, these true values inspired our people and our army.”
Under a decision by the city council intended to please the veterans, Volgograd was referred to as Stalingrad at the official events. Admirers of Stalin posted his portrait in minibuses, in a move not approved by the authorities.
For 200 days, Germans and Russians fought hand to hand, street by street and from room to room, battling the winter cold and sometimes starvation too.
Russian historians say 40,000 people were killed on the day of fiercest bombing and at the height of combat the average survival time of Soviet soldiers sent into battle was 24 hours.
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Pride in the bravery of Soviet troops and the endurance of civilians trapped during the battle unites almost all Russians ..
Russian television has repeatedly shown footage from wartime Stalingrad and broadcast films and documentaries about the battle.
Even the crew of the orbiting International Space Station congratulated the war veterans.
“We will always be grateful for your heroic act. The memory of it will live on down the ages,” cosmonaut Roman Romanenko said in video footage shown on Russian television.

Private telcos can not object to govt. support to BSNL – Union

02 Saturday Feb 2013

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A report with the above title published in the ‘Business Line’ today, 2nd Feb. is reproduced below:

New Delhi, Feb 1:
The employees’ union of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd has said that private telecom players have no reason to object to a Government proposal to give the PSU financial support. The workers’ union said the private players now argue for a level-playing field even though they have been continuously getting all benefits and undue favours from the Government.

“In the auctions for spectrum, while the private players could bid for their choice circle, BSNL and MTNL were denied the right to bid, but were compelled to pay the charges for the highest bid in all circle, resulting in almost double the amount that the private telcos paid,” said V. A.N. Namboodiri, Convenor of the joint forum of BSNL workers’ union.

Private mobile operators have raised objections to a proposal to give financial support to State-run telecom companies. The Cellular Operators Association of India and the Association of Unified Service Providers of India have written to the Government saying that it will disturb the level-playing field if financial support is given.

The Department of Telecom has sought the Cabinet’s approval for a Rs 20,000-crore bailout package for BSNL and MTNL. The Department proposes to waive the one-time spectrum charge and refund money for broadband spectrum that has been surrendered.

The Battle of Stalingrad completes 70 years

02 Saturday Feb 2013

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Seventy years is not a long period in the history of the nations. Still many incidents of great importance are forgotten by the people. The Socialist Revolution of 1917 in Russia, that changed not only the future of Russia but also of the world is gradually being forgotten. The great role played by the USSR in the defeat of Hitler in the II World War, the heroic fight of the soviets in stopping the march of the Nazis and saving the world from dictactorship are well documented, but the present Russian government is not enthusiastic. Year after year, the gains of the Soviet Rule are conciously being kept in the dark.
But the latest information seems to be of a small change in the attitude.

The Battle of Stalingrad, where the Nazis were stopped and more than 20 lakhs were killed or wounded from both sides and more than 1 lakh Nazi army was taken prisoners by the Red Army defending the Soviet Union in 1943 is one of the greatest war that has been fought. But the name of Stalingrad was changed to Volgograd by Nikita Krushchev in 1961 as part of the attack on the memory of Joseph Stalin. But now, after many years, the Russian Government, probably due to public pressure, has declared that the name of Stalingrad can be used for certain days in the year connected with the dates linked with the patriotic war for the country.
This is declared just before the 70th Anniversary of the Victory of the Stalingrad on 2nd February 1943, is important.
The day of the victory of Stalingrad will always be remembered as the day from which the Hitler had to taste defeat after defeat and his final collapse.