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Consult NGOs
before FMCC Bill is enacted On
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PM gives credit
where it is due
Reflections Profile Diversities
— Delhi Letter Seminar on best novels Pen for Peace
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On Record
He
is the firebrand trade union
leader who heads the All-India Trade Union Congress which has over three
million members. As the leader of one of the largest trade unions, which was
formed in the1920s, Gurudas Dasgupta, born in 1936, has vast experience in
organising trade union movements in the country. One of the significant
contributions of the workers’ movement in the country to the English
dictionary is the term "gherao." Dasgupta has seen the peak of trade
union activity in the era of closed economy. With the new mantra of market
reform and a global village, trade unions face a new challenge. The workers’
unrest in Gurgaon, which witnessed brutal police repression, has once again
rekindled the talk of the role of labour in the changed economic scenario. The
CPI leader, who is in his fourth term as Member of Parliament, in a
freewheeling interview to The Sunday Tribune indicates labour leaders would
help workers in all sectors of the economy to organise themselves to fight for
their rights. Excerpts: Q: What are the
lessons learnt from the workers’ agitation by the Honda Motorcycles and
Scooters India Pvt Ltd in Gurgaon? A: The Gurgaon incident has given
signals that workers suppressed of their legitimate rights would raise their
voice. What they were seeking was the legitimate right to form a union which is
allowed as per the Indian Constitution. Protests by Honda workers have shaken
the country and have stimulated the fighting mentality of the Indian workers.
Q: There have been talks of bringing about reforms in the labour laws. In
the present situation it acts as a hurdle to carry out further economic
reforms. What are your comments? A: Trade unions are not against reforms.
But that does not mean that there would not be labour laws. What is intended in
the name of labour reforms is the policy of hire and fire which we will not
agree to as the Indian workers have feeble social security measure to fall back
on. Q: Union Commerce Minister Kamal Nath said recently that the existing
labour laws in the country do not pose enough confidence amongst foreign
investors. The flow of Foreign Direct Investment in the country could be higher
if the labour laws are amended. Do you agree with this perception? A: Neither
the Indian Parliament nor the Left parties and the trade unions will oblige
Kamal Nath. Labour laws have been enacted by Parliament to protect the Indian
working class in a limited way and they do not act as a hurdle to the flow of
FDI. But the bogey is being raised to give a free hand to the foreign companies
to exploit India’s national resources. These companies also want to exploit
the country’s human resources to improve the bottom line of profit. Indian
labour laws as such gives limited rights to workers and generally they are not
enforced. Q: Do you think workers in new economy, Export Promotion Zones
and BPO sector should organise and indulge in trade union activity? Is AITUC
helping them in this? A: I do not want to go public with the trade union
strategy. But we believe that Export Promotion Zones are not an independent
entity and are part of the country and are therefore subjected to Indian laws.
Further, no economic activity should be outside the purview of trade union
activity. Q: There were reports that Trade Unions were helping the workers
in other companies in Gurgaon to organise themselves including the Maruti Udyog
Ltd which had witnessed clashes with the management a couple of years ago. Can
you confirm this? A: What is wrong in it? Trade unionism is a legitimate
right given to workers by the Constitution. In a democratic set up, the workers
have the right to organise and participate in a peaceful agitation. Workers
cannot be denied of their fundamental right to organise and voice their
grievance. Q: Reports also suggested that intelligence agencies,
especially those from Haryana, were trying to keep a tab on the trade union
leaders like you to see whether AITUC, which led the Honda protest, was helping
workers of companies in the area… A: It would be better if the
intelligence agencies could spend their energy and money in keeping a tab on
the infiltration of terrorists in the country rather than tapping a lawful
activity like trade unionism. Our activities are open and nothing secret in it.
If the intelligence agencies want to know what we are doing, they can come to
us on a daily basis and we can brief them. Q: The Gurgaon-Dehradun belt,
which has witnessed a spurt in industrial activity, has been free from
organised workers movement. Is there any effort to organise the workers, as the
Gurgaon incident, as you had put it kindled the fighting spirit amongst the
workers? A: I must acknowledge the weakness of trade unionism in this
area. Gurgaon area is an exception. We would like to organise trade unionism in
as many areas as possible and bring as many workers as possible in the ambit of
trade union activity. |
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PM gives credit where it is due Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh’s presentation at Oxford raised many a storm in the academic tea cup of India International Centre, New Delhi. Among others, the Cambridge celebrity, Khushwant Singh, took the critics to task. The Prime Minister has cautioned his critics that we have to shed the old baggage of cold war rhetoric and accept the new world order for rapid economic growth. The storm has partially blown over. Yet we are far from rapprochement. The sectarian politicians seem unable to find issues to implicate Dr Singh. He is known for his impeccable moral and intellectual integrity. His credentials are unquestionable. Here in lies the crux of the matter. I expected that Mr K. Natwar Singh, a distinguished scholar on E.M. Forster, will pen down a viable defence of Dr Singh’s address with literary inputs, wit and humour. Some media experts have highlighted the development dimension — modern educational, legal, administrative, social and political reforms. But what they overlooked is most significant. Warren Hastings (1773-1798), the first Governor General of India, said: “To rule effectively, one must love India, her people, to communicate with her people, one must acquire her language and culture.” The outstanding
Oreintalists, Sir William Jones and Colebrook established the Bengal Asiatic Society in 1783. The translation of Kalidasa’s classic Shakuntalam was a landmark in the emergence of European interest in Indian culture. The European archaeologists, philologists, indologists and linguists helped greatly in deciphering ancient Indian scripts, writing regional histories and developing modern Indian languages. These sustained efforts of scholars along with the knowledge of English language caused an immense intellectual ferment in India and ultimately led to a rebirth among Indian intellectuals the feeling of pride in their national heritage. Most of our outstanding nationalists were socialised in British universities of Oxford and Cambridge or Temple Inn. They were imbued with western ideas of democracy, freedom and liberal humanism and these ideas provided the major ideological base in the body politic. Remarkably, some of the outstanding personalities in Hindu reformation such as Swami Vivekananda, Sri Aurobindo, Gandhiji, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and a galaxy of other reformers wrote largely in English as most of them were educated in Cambridge and Oxford. The cross-culture encounter between the East and the West gave a major impetus to the diffusion of western knowledge, ideas and modes and thought to the Indian intelligentsia. India has always been receptive to fresh ideas and impulses and imbibed modern technology and innovations which could stimulate creative thought process. Rigveda clearly states, “Let noble thoughts come to us from every
side.”
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Reflections I was asked to speak on the subject, ‘Women in Administration’ organised by the Central Social Welfare Board of India. But why women in administration, I wondered? Why not women in ‘Public Administration? For as a woman in public administration, this is why I may have been asked to speak on. But the topic said ‘women in administration’. I instinctively began by raising the question of, when were women not in administration? I asked the audience, never mind even if they were approximately 5,000 strong women assembled from all over India. Personally speaking, I could not recall any time in history when they were not. It was in a way to jolt them out of this closed mindset that administration was something, probably, a male domain and entirely external in the realm of public administration only. The fact is, it is not! And I had my own way to prove it to them beyond doubt. They immediately understood, joined me in the chorus and started to applaud the approach. I sensed their immediate participation, co-option and agreement. They knew it, but this was something not in currency or in their day-to-day frame of mind. I was only helping them rediscover something they all inherently possessed. I recalled for them what all mothers do, without going out of the house to formally work. The mothers actually run full-fledged institutions called ‘The Family’ with all the departments working all 24 hours, 365 days, and as long as they breathe their last. This enterprise called ‘The Family’ encompasses all the so-called concepts of leadership, management, organisational skills and challenges. Let’s look at them a little closely for a change. We, certainly, seem to have taken them for granted! Some of these being:
How is she to supervise house staff? Who is worth how much? Who is reliable or not? She either self inducts by trial and errors or gets the indoctrination on what is acceptable and what is not. Who can be met with, whom not! When can she get leave when not? Timings of the leave are specified? Extensions are rejected or granted by the bosses. (Read husband and inlaws). Bribery or corruption works here too for it is expected that she will not come back empty-handed but with gifts and presents. Also meet specific demands. Openly or covertly! Then the beginning of expansion: i.e. the motherhood... the bosses decide for her. And she obeys the orders. She is reminded and advised, not consulted. It’s arbitrary. And she is expected to deliver. Boys! Any number! The more she delivers the more equity is enhanced. She wields. Girls, the debit side, no please! If she gives boys, credit is to the ‘bosses’, sorry I mean the family. If she delivers girls she is at fault. Typical of any external administration! And to keep her security in tact she manages at times even after punishments of all kinds, verbal, physical, mental, monetary even isolation. The peers may or not may not be trustworthy. Some may be in competition. Her performance appraisal is public knowledge. But she is not to complain. There is almost no appeal. It is her duty to do whatever she is expected to. For she asked for it; and if she does not follow the rules she can be dismissed. Very simple! There was no agreement at the time of union of a security of tenure. The service relationship is terminable with just a few words of ouster. Depends on the belief of the boss? Or even by force! There are redressal systems of the kind of labour courts (crimes against women cells). But then, they are overcrowded. And can be influenced by the other side. And who does the parvi? Or the follow up? For there is no system of notice and safety net? She has only responsibilities, no rights! Her bonus is her children. If they grow up to be good shares! Otherwise, the younger employees (daughters-in-law) entering later can run into a competition and no one knows who will survive. There is a fierce turf conflict, short of war, till it hopefully settles down by all different means. Some painful some negotiated. Then is the issue of protection, both physical and material. She runs the fear of both. She has to make some hidden savings, protect her own valuables from predators in the house who may be eyeing it for their own motives. Hence she learns to manipulate for survival. A very corporate need! The problem is that at times the formal education undoes some of the inherent skills instead of building on them and does not recognise these practising skills. Certainly, not the panchayats!. But the fact is that all our mothers and married women are in administration. We need to recognise this…
and perhaps help enhance this. This will be the greatest wealth the country will and can wake up to directly impacting on the GDP. The 5000+ got charged and reminded of their inherent potential and unique capability. Who says the class must be small? It can be as large and even larger. It just needs the right recall, the right cord and just the right
environment.
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Profile Time moved fast since Kargil war. Major Rathore became Lieutenant Colonel Rathore, but when holding the gun, his eyes were fixed on the target like the legendary Arjun’s arrow on the bird’s eye. He has already emerged as part of the shooting folklore in India. His eyes are now fixed on 2008 Olympics scheduled to be held in Beijing. In a bid to outshine in Athens Olympics, Rathore was seen practicing in Delhi’s sweltering heat. He had asked for Delhi posting, bothering least about his promotions to ensure that his practice sessions were not interrupted. The moving spirit behind his success is his wife Gayatri, providing him comfort and support, sharing his problems and boosting his morale when the going got tough. Rathore’s friends say, he is a “perfectionist”, down to earth and more importantly never looses his cool. So much so that he has been nicknamed by his army colleagues “chilly”. Cool head is said to be the trait for his roaring success in shooting events. When asked how did he feel going into the final of Athens Olympics, his reply reflected his personality: “I died a hundred deaths, to be frank, before the final, but I knew I had prepared very well for the event and that I would reach my goal”. Rathore was decorated with the Ati Vishist Seva Medal for his dare-devil mission to rescue three trapped climbers in a mountaineering expedition. He took off in the helicopter, piloted by Wing Commander Sudhir Sharma, to a world record altitude to rescue the trapped climbers. With his Athens feat, hopes Rathore, people will start looking at disciplines like shooting with more interest. May be youngsters will now be eager to take up shooting as a challenge. “I had plenty of trouble raising money to prepare for shooting events. I am sure, funds will now be more forthcoming from sponsors”. The best comment, perhaps, came from Milkha Singh, known as the “King of Indian athletics”, when the decision to honour Rathore with the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award was announced. “Rathore has touched the sky”, he exclaimed. An Army man himself, Milkha attributes Rathore’s success to discipline and tough training in the forces. The ace athlete, who had missed bronze medal by just 0.1 seconds at the 1960 Olympics, feels if India wants to achieve success at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the training aspect should be handed over to the Army. Significantly, he had spoken about it to the late Union Sports Minister Sunil Dutt. Rathore’s father too was an Army man. Col Laxman Singh, inculcated in his son, right from his childhood, the Army discipline. Thirty six-year-old Rajyavardhan has now himself risen to the rank of Lt-Colonel. He hails from Jaisalmer and later settled down in Jaipur. A graduate of the 77 National Defence Academy course, he passed out with a sword of honour at the Indian Military Academy before being commissioned into 9 Grenadiers. He was 28 years old when he starting shooting. Initially, there was no one to help him and he would watch seniors shoot, emulate them and, in the process, rectify his faults. It was very expensive sport for him. Later, there was support from the Army and the government. His colleagues say, Rathore is down to earth, and never brags about his achievements even when he is shooting 49 of 50 targets. Rathore’s eyes are now set at Beijing Olympics. He says he cannot guarantee victory, but ensure hard work and “somewhere down the lane it will bring honours. I am a mission-oriented
person”. |
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Diversities — Delhi Letter
With
the Eleventh Delhi Book Fair taking
off this weekend, there couldn’t have been more emphasis on books
and writers. Weeks before this take off, there has been focus on Prem
Chand. Seminars, talks and discussions, plays on him and his writings
being held at different forums in the national Capital. Prem Chand
has indeed sprung back with a big bang. Of course, it does not convey
the impression that he ever faded away. For, writers like him will be
there along with the realities stretching along. At one of the
seminars on him, there were picture-posters of his being sold. So now
Prem Chand is right here, in front of this writer, with his popular
quote looming large. To quote Prem Chand, "Sahityakar ka laksh
kewal mehfil sajana aur manoranjan ka samaaan jutana naheen hai/ uska
darja itna na giraiye!/ Weh desh bhakti or rajniti ke peeche chalne
waali saachchai bhi nahin, balki, unke aage mashaal dikhaate hua
chalnai waali saachchai hai."
Last week, some of these NRIs held a press conference here in the Capital to announce the opening of a huge academic centre on the outskirts of Lucknow at Jahangiribad Fort in the Barabanki district of Uttar Pradesh. In fact, the media section of this institute is all ready for take off this coming autumn. It has on its advisory committee people like Aparna Sen, Javed Akhtar, Tarun Tejpal, Rakesh Sharma, V.N. Rai. From whatever one has heard about this project, it seems the best sort of offering that an NRI could give back to his country and its people. And the Jahangirabad Fort was lying in disuse and was almost crumbling till these people not just set it to restoration but set it to great use. For soon other faculties and departments of this institute would take off and hopefully with that the region would have some chance of getting back to the days of Avadhi glory and culture. Seminar on best novelsOn Monday (Aug 29), the Sahitya Akademi is hosting a symposium on the theme ‘The Novel I Cherish Most’, with participating writers Kamleshwar, Urvashi Butalia, Antara Dev Sen, Mrinal Pandey, Sukrita Paul Kumar and Namita Gokhale. Mid week, the Afro-Asian Book Council (AABC) is holding a seminar on the author-publisher relationship. Though August 31 is just three days away, I can visualise the interesting output it could yield. Interestingly, the chief guest for this seminar is the Ambassador of Sudan to India, Abdalhaleem Mohammad. Before I move ahead, I must mention that besides being a career diplomat, he is a well-known writer — writing for newspapers and periodicals published in his home country and for other Arabic and African journals. I wonder why can’t writers like him write for our publications so that we could know more of Africa. For the same function, there would be another diplomat from Africa — the Ambassador of the Republic of Zimbabawe, Joinathan Wutawunashe. Pen for PeaceCome September, there is going to be much activity at the Jamia Millia Islamia as two important meets are coming up. Over 100 academics, artists and writers are coming over from Pakistan for the ‘Pen for Peace’ meet to be held for three days from September 22. As the very title conveys much, there is no need to elaborate further. Then, during the last week of
September, the same university is hosting a progressive writers’
meet. The JMI Media Coordinator, Rakhshanda Jalil, informs that they
are inviting writers from every part of the country who are writing in
the different Indian languages like Sindhi.
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Most religious teachers spend their time trying to prove the unproven by the unprovable. — Book of quotations on
religion God who dwells in the heart of every being is the one whose shelter has to be sought. — Kabir Ego blinds one to the feelings of others. — The
Upanishadas The worth of any work lies in the thought which accompanies it and in the method by which it is done. With these, inconsequential work assumes significance
because of the remarkable quality of its workmanship. — The Mahabharata We two are inseparable. As the river empties itself into the sea, what’s inside me flows within Thee. — Kabir The foolish man seeks happiness in the distant, the wise grows it under his feet. — Book of quotations on
happiness |
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As
a Major in the Army in 1999, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore had actively participated in the Kargil war. Little did he realise as he faced shelling from Pakistani troops from the high mountains that one day he would be the proud recipient of the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, the nation’s highest sport honour. Rathore’s shooting skill might have been a great asset as Indian troops climbed steep mountain slopes to drive out enemy snipers from the dizzy heights. “Major Saab never misses a shot” was his reputation among the troops he commanded. It was, therefore, no surprise to his colleagues, who had seen him in action, when he clinched the silver medal in the double-trap shooting event at the 2004 Athens Olympics and became India’s first individual Olympic silver medal winner.