The shocking and sudden death of Com. A.M.Patil, Circle Secretary of BSNLEU, Gujarat Circle and a senior leader of the BSNL Employees, is a great loss, which can not be filled up easily. He passed away on 16th June 2015 due to acute heart-attack, while at Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh, where he has gone to attend the CEC Meeting of the BSNL Employees Union.

Immediately after he felt uneasiness and high blood pressure, Com. Patil was taken to the Civil Hospital at Dalhousie and was given immediate attention, but could not be saved. It is informed that he had two earlier attacks, and he could not survive the present attack which was very severe.

The body was taken to Godhra, his hometown by an Ambulance , accompanied by Com. D.K..Bakutra, All India Organising Secretary BSNLEU from Gujarat and other comrades from Gujarat. The body was received at Jaipur, Udaipur etc. by the BSNLEU leaders and employees. The body reached his home at Godhra by the early morning of 18th June 2015.

BSNLEU CHQ leaders, Coms. VAN Namboodiri, Patron, P Abhimanyu, General secretary and Swapan Chakraborty, Asst. General secretary reached at Godhra and paid homage to the departed leader and placed wreath. They met the family members and conveyed their deep grief and consoled them. A large number of BSNL employees and leaders from all parts of the state had reached there to see their leader for the last time. From nearby states also a few comrades had come. All paid homage to the the departed leader.

The funeral took place in the nearby smashan, which also was attended by a large number of people. A condolence meeting was held then and there. All stood in silence paying homage.

Com.A.M.Patil was a very respected leader and loved by all. He was elected as Circle Secretary in the last Circle conference. He was an All India Vice President of the Union and had bee the District Secretary  for a long period. His death is an irreparable loss.

The BSNL administration, including the CGM, Gujarat, TDM Godhra, GM Pathankot and all the officers and employees made all out efforts for bringing the body from Dalhousie to Godhra and fully co-operated in the difficult situation.

In the early morning of 16th June, I had discussed various issues like strengthening the AIBDPA and BSNLCCWF in Gujarat Circle with Com.AM Patil and Com.B.K.Bakutra, when they came to my room at the CEC place. He took some books on the Forum published recently which details the struggles of the BSNL employees under the leadership of Forum. But I never thought that it will be the last time, I will be meeting him alive. It was his lifeless body that we saw when we rushed to the hospital after hearing about the heart attack.

I pay my last respects to Com.A.M.Patil and Convey the heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, friends and comrades!