Remembering on occasion of his 90th Birthday
It is now six months that pandemic Covid-19 has been creating havoc all over the world. Many countries have declared lockdown as preventive measure. Forcing stoppage of businesses, productions transportation etc. People are stuck wherever they are. Thousands of deaths, Lakhs effected of Corona infection, collapse of economy and lakhs of job losses is the net result of this pandemic. World economy has collapsed. It may take months or years to come to normalcy.
In India things are worst hit in multifold. Measures of relief by governments, society are proving to be inadequate. In addition to dealing with Corona disease, handling inter-state migrant workers has been yet another big challenge to governments. Lakhs of migrant workers are virtually left to the mercy of almighty. They are subjected to extreme hardships. Some have been walking hundreds of kilometers to their native places, hungry and sick; some have died on the way.
Quantum of financial and Job losses are yet to be assessed, pandemic is yet to come under control. But some of the state governments are over enthusiastic to build back economy and in their own wisdom have adopted ways to exploit workers by suspending Labour Laws of safety and health, job protection etc. They are increasing working hours from eight to twelve hours a day etc. with wrong hope that, these means will boost the productivity. Unrest amongst labour movements is brewing up. Trade Unions are opposing and are representing at various levels. We the HMKP too are on our toes under leadership Shri Michael Fernandes President and Shri Subhash Malgi General Secretary of HMKP. All our leaders and cadre all over India are fighting for survival, rights and dignity of labour.
At such crucial time, one person whom the labour movement is missing, is that firebrand personality who could lead the nation very perfectly protecting interest of employees as well as industry performance. And that is George. Late Com. George Fernandes, Founder President of Hind Mazdoor Kisan Panchayat (HMKP). After prolonged absence from public life due to Alzheimer disease, he died on 29th January 2019.
His 90th birthday is on 3rd June 2020. We the HMKP have his legacy and hence duty to follow him in interest of working class. While his firebrand image of working class messiah is very well known; it is important to know his insights on nation building, apart from his well-known socialistic views.
I quote below few observations by some dignitaries about George Fernandes:-
Hon'ble Justic M N. Venkatachalaiah, Former Chief Justice of India :-
To me it is not merely his image as a stormy petrel of Indian politics and champion of the cause of labour; nor his great energy to protest against injustice wherever he saw it. He was, undoubtedly, amongst the great leaders who lead resistance movements. But the fire burning in him was the response of an innate sensitive humanist and his impersonal love for all those who suffered under an unconscionable and oppressive economic order.
Generally, agitators do not make good administrators. George was a refreshing exception.
George Fernandes to Ram Shahaney Ex President of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)
"Crisis time is always a great opportunity to reset the needle, we should never miss it"
Ashok Saxena Ex Managing Director, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL), “ He was a firm believer in indigenous projects and “Make-in-India” concept”
D.P.Tripathi former Rajya Sabha Member and General Secretary & National Spokesperson of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)]:-
George Fernandes belonged to the rare breed of activist-politician who was also an erudite scholar. One special attribute of Fernandes which I must mention is that he never wasted time even for a moment.
Fr Baptist Menezes:- I found a gem of a man in a politician, with a message that politics can be clean. He proved that the cleanup of society was possible provided one was honest and sincerely committed.
Shri Mulgaonkar the then head of Tata Automobile industries is on record when he met George as Industry Minister that he had never seen such enlightened and visionary Industry Minister.
These quotes are only to highlight as to how he would be different a leader in the present crisis. Who would certainly fight for working class ensuring productivity enhancement.
Toeing his lines HMKP strongly believes in “employment oriented policies based on ‘Indigenous, self-reliance and co-operation’”
HMKP unions in different states have been opposing the anti labour actions of the states and central government, individually and jointly with other unions.
Through a joint front of central Trade Unions consisting of HMKP,NFITU, BMS CITU,INTUC, NLO. Discussions are being held nationally and with ILO. We are confident that we shall come out triumphantly taking care that workers as well as nation shall progress towards betterment.
Our struggle is the only SALUTE to George. The George Fernandes.
m.v.malgi
