Comrade S.R.Nayak, Circle Secretary, BSNLEU, Circle President AIBDPA as also the Convener of Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations, M.P.Circle who passed away on 8th August at the AIIMS Hospital, New Delhi was given a tearful farewell at Jabalpur today, 9th August 2013. He was 69.
His body was brought from New Delhi by an Ambulance accompanied by his wife and other family members who were staying at New Delhi for his treatment. The Ambulance was stopped at Morena, Gwalior, Dabra and other places where hundreds of workers paid homage to the departed leader. It reached Jabalpur, his home town, in the early morning of 9th August.
The body of Comrade Nayak was kept in his home till about 11.00 AM, where hundreds of people, including relatives, friends, and neighbours came and paid homage. Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri and other leaders visited the family members and conveyed condolence and consoled them. It was at this house that Com. Namboodiri visited and stayed several times earlier when he visited JB. Then the body was taken to the BSNLEU District Office, Wright Town Telephone Exchange, Jabalpur, where it was laid for about one hour in a specially made podium. He was covered with the red flag. Thousands of BSNL workers from all parts of Madhya Pradesh, leaders of unions including that of Central/State/PSUs, CITU and other TU leaders, a large number of local people – all came and one after another paid homage. Amidst slogans of Red Salute to Com. SR Nayak, Com. Nayak Amar Rahe etc. Coms. Badal Saroj, Secretary, CPI(M), MP, Promod Pradhan, CITU State secretary, laid wreath and paid homage. Coms.V.A.N.Namboodiri, President, Animesh Mitra, Acting GS, and S.C.Bhattacharya, CHQ Treasurer laid wreath on behalf of BSNLEU CHQ. Coms. S.C.Srivastava, Vice-President, AIBDPA, Jagadish Singh, All India Organising Secretary, H.S.Thakur, Acting Circle secretary, BSNLEU, A.K.Naik, AIDEF, and other leaders paid floral tributes to the departed leader. On behalf of Com. Sisir Bhattacharjee, the senior most P and T leader, a wreath was laid by Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri.
Comrades Vishnu Choudhary, BSNL Contract Workers Union, R.P.Avasthy, S.K.Mudaliar (TEPU), A.K.Mishra, (NFTE), Vivek Shrivasatava (SNEA), M.N.B.Nambiar (AIBSNLEA), Shaket Shukla (FNTO), Sunil Sharma (BSNLMS),Chakresh Akhupuria (AIBSNLOA), S.K.Mishra(AITUC), M.N.B.Pillai (BEFI), N.Chakraborty (AIIEA), B.B.Sharma (R.III), S.K.Nema(P.III),K.K.Mahapatra, G.M.Kumar (NRMU), A.K.Nayak (AIDEF), Ms. Saila Shukla (AIWDA), R.N.Ghosh (MPMSRU)Sheikh Ghani (BSNLCCWF)and other leaders also paid floral tributes. From the BSNL Management S/Shri B.K.Jog, GM and R.N.Telang (on behalf of CGM) paid tributes.
By about 12.00 AM, the body of Com. SR Nayak was taken at the head of a big procession to the cremation ground at Rani Thal Shmasan Ghat. Thousands of people from all walks of life participated. After the cremation, a brief condolence meeting was held which was addressed by Coms. Badal saroj and VAN Namboodiri. They reminded the audience about the sacrifices and the difficulties faced by Com. Nayak while serving and leading the workers. They called upon the workers to emulate the high ideals and hard work of Com. Nayak, despite his ill health.
The procession and the condolence meeting and the participation of the large number of people from all sections was a clear indication of the high esteem Com.Nayak was held through his selfless service for the people.
Com.S.R.Nayak, who was one of the senior most leaders of P&T and BSNLEU is no more. As one who has been associated with him for more than 40 years in the P&T Trade Union movement, I have the greatest respect and love for him, who took the task of organising the workers in the former Central Provinces and later Madhya Pradesh Circle and gave the correct leadership.
I convey my heartfelt condolences to the family members, comrades and friends in the great loss in the passing away of COM SR Nayak.
Red Salute to Comrade SR Nayak!