It was 1990. The
22nd General Conference
of Composite South
Zone Insurance Employees’
Federation that took place in Hyderabad. It was
a Four Day
Conference. It was the First
Zonal Conference attended
by me. I heard
Com K.Venugopal for the
First Time who
was the General
Secretary, Vishakhapatnam
Division. It impressed me very much
and after the
South Zone Conference was
over, the Inaugural Convention
of South Central Zone
Insurance Employees Federation took place and in
that He
was elected as
the Joint Secretary of
SCZIEF. In the evening there was
a huge rally and we were giving slogans
to our fullest
capacity. In the middle, a hand
gave me some halls menthol. When I raised my head to see
who is giving them, It was Com K.Venugopal.
In 1994, the 14th General
Conference was held
at Ahmadabad, the speech
by Com K.Venugopal was
an excellent one. He was
describing about the
attempt to close
the Two PSUs
in Andhra and
said the attempt
to close Hindustan
Shipyard at Vizag
was foiled as
the Employees involved
the Public in
struggle and since
there was no
such effort , the struggle
of Hyderabad Allwyn
could not succeed. After the
Conference was over, there was an open
session in the Ahmadabad Divisional
Office Premises. While we were returning by walk, I saw Com Venugopal walking
before me and I got myself introduced to him and for a distance of nearly one kilo meter, He told many things and that was a finest
experience.
I also remember
another incident. When the South Zone Conference took place at
Thirunelveli, I spoke on some anomaly in compassionate ground appointment. After
speaking I came out of the hall to relax and he also came out and passionately
explained the difficulties while appreciating the point raised by me.
When we decided
to construct Own Building for our Vellore Division, We amended our
constitution in a way
that the for registering the land to be purchased for the building, the
documents shall be signed by the General Secretary, AIIEA, General Secretary,
SZIEF, President, General Secretary and Treasurer of Vellore Division. This was
a safety clause to preserve the hard earned property.
We could finalize the land only after his
election of General Secretary of AIIEA and when we briefed about this provision
we made in Our Constitution and requested him to come to Vellore for the registration
of plot, he readily agreed and came on the day which was convenient for the
land owner.
Even after that
we disturbed him by sending various papers such as building plan approval,
electricity connection etc, He used to send them immediately and the Inauguration of Saroj Illam, the
Building of Vellore Divisional Union on 03.09.2006 was a very grand event.
The communication
between the leaders of AIIEA cannot be matched by any one. Com V.Ramesh, Joint
Secretary, AIIEA once came to Vellore on
a private visit. The discussions on Housing Loan Enhancement were going on at
that time and I told Com Ramesh some points and requested him to take care. Two
Months after, the Inaugural Function of Coimbatore Divisional Union’s Own
Building took place and there was a briefing for the Divisional Union Office
bearers of Tamil Nadu who attended the function. I was amazed when Com
Venugopal told that Com Raman told some points and we will take care when we
finalize the enhancement.
When Tsunami
struck the coasts of South India, He called me and enquired whether any one
from the Insurance Family was affected and guided us how to carry out the
Relief Activities. One such activity Vellore Division took was taking care of
the educational expenses of Selvi Pakkiya Lakshmi, who lost her father in
Tsunami. We went to the peak of happiness when this was mentioned in the Report
of the AIIEA Conference at Kanpur.
His mingling and
explaining the things in a simple way is always cherished by the comrades.
Comrades who have less exposure in English will find it comfortable to follow
his speech. During Our Divisional
Conference at Vaniambadi, when he narrated the final moments of clinching the
Wage Revision due from 01.08.2002, Everyone
felt that they themselves took
part in the wage Revision Talks.
Though we can
write many pages, I wish to conclude with one important incident. One of our
comrade was affected by a dreaded disease
by name Aplastic Anemia and it was not covered in the 29 major ailments
covered under Ex gratia. So advance could not be obtained. Without minding
the protocol, I contacted Com Venugopal. Due to his efforts, Aplastic
Anemia was included as the 30th Major ailment eligible for Ex
gratia.
We convey our
revolutionary greetings to Com K.Venugopal
S.Raman,
General Secretary,
Vellore Division.
With Selvi Pakkialakshmi, whose educational expenses were 
Honouring Com C.Venkatesan, Branch Secretary, Chidhambaram 
Honouring Com D.Manavalan, Joint Secretary, Vellore Division
