The 11th Foundation Day anniversary of BSNL Employees Union will be celebrated in a big way by the BSNL workers as usual.

On  22^nd of March 2012, BSNL Employees Union, the only majority and recognised union of non-executive employees in Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) will be completing 11 years of glorious service to the nation and the employees in particular. All over India, BSNL employees will be celebrating the day by organising meetings and rallies as also involving themselves in social activities like blood donation camps, donation of school books and uniforms to the poor children, food and funds to the blind, deaf children, kambals and spectacles to the old people etc.  The commitment to the society is one basic concept we have always cherished and tried to implement maximum.  As employees having reasonable monthly earnings, we have responsibility to the society and mainly to the poor sections to share their burdens to the extent possible. It is not charity, but a commitment.

In this connection, we cannot forget many senior comrades who have retired from service and are continuing their service to the society in various ways in the fields of education, politics, social service, health issues, employment opportunities and similar activities. We appreciate that instead of retiring from activities, they continue to be part of the mainstream.

CHQ will be celebrating the Foundation Day with the Inauguration of the Union’s own building at New Delhi, named ‘K.G.Bose Bhawan’. Comrade A.K.Padmanabhan, president, CITU will inaugurate and many senior BSNLEU leaders as also leaders of fraternal organisations are invited to grace the occasion.

But mainly it is the service rendered by the union to the BSNL workers and the working class in general, that keeps the union in a separate category. BSNLEU has to continue the legacy. Due to the election/membership verification process every two years to elect the recognised union, and the fact that BSNLEU has won continuously in the last four verifcations, others will have to raise criticisms against BSNLEU to justify their existence. But once the election mania is over, all the workers agree that during the last 7 years of recognised period, BSNLEU has served the workers in an appreciate way and has many achievements to its credit. BSNLEU will continue this excellent service.

We hope that all Branches/SSAs/Circles will observe and celebrate the Foundation Day as usual.

A workers meeting of BSNLEU, especially that of District Executive Committee members and Branch Secretaries was held at the BSNLEU office, CTO premises, BG. I spoke in detail about why we are opposing VRS, Disinvestment etc. and our efforts to improve the BSNL services. The anti-worker policy of the government was exposed. The gains achieved during the last few years by BSNLEU, including the wage revisions, NEPP etc. were explained. Com. Sudarshan, Dist. Secretary welcomed. Coms. Bhandari, Prakash, Prema Praksh, Muddiah and other leaders were also present.

Today, a general body meeting of the BSNLEU was held at Bengaluru   CGM Office auditorium, which was full, even though at short notice. I thanked the house for inviting me and explained in detail about the latest developments in Telecom sector, our fight against neo-liberal policies and certain issues like NEPP, VRS etc. Coms. C.K.Gundanna, Circle Secretary, Sudarshan, District Secretary and other leaders were also present.