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ALL INDIA OVERSEAS BANK EMPLOYEES’ UNION
(Affiliated to National Union of Bank Employees – NUBE)
Regd. No. 1026 dated: 06/02/1949
(Recognised by the Management of Indian Overseas Bank)
Administrative Office: Post Bag No. 5231, 763, Anna Salai, Chennai – 600 002.
Circular No.18/2013 Date :
Dear Comrades,
OUR 34TH CHENNAI CONFERENCE – ZINDABAD !
MARVELLOUS, MAMMOTH, MAGNIFICENT
PRODIGIOUS PAGEANT
With almost half of our membership at Chennai on 19th and 20th instant the resume of our 34th General Council Meeting would perhaps be felt redundant as rest half would have now been informed of the proceedings by those who have attended. But still for the sake of recording, we have pleasure in narrating you one of the most eventful and proudest occasions of IOBians.
Well! Our Chennai Comrades have done it once again in grand style. They have through their consistent efforts been able to convince us that the fraternity of IOBians under the banner of AIOBEU is deep, our unity unshakable, solidarity unbreakable, and loyalty of members is beyond doubt.
This General Council Meeting was by all standards a most unique one and will remain in the memory of every one of the more than 9000 who had assembled.
Our vocabulary fails us to describe the unprecedented enthusiasm and sense of devotion our Chennai comrades had showed in ensuring the resounding success of the General Council Meeting. The comrades who had participated in the General Council Meeting will wholeheartedly endorse the gigantic efforts put in by our comrades at Chennai. The participants were really overwhelmed with the arrangements. Even minor inconveniences some would have to put up in a General Council Meeting of this gigantic nature was simply not felt at all. We do not know how to thank our comrades at Chennai or whom to thank most. Every one was there throughout. Yes, the names were not important; it was the spirit and that could be only described as wonderful.
All India Overseas Bank Employees’ Union has become axiomatic. The overwhelming large turn out of over 9,000 IOBians, despite sultry weather and rain to the inaugural and delegate sessions bore ample testimony to this fact.
On 19th morning at 6.30 A.M., more than 50% of work force of our Bank converged at Kalaignar Arangam to participate in what can be described as the most powerful and inspiring rallies of Bank Employees seen in any part of our country. It was spectacular and was admitted by all as one that has surpassed all the previous General Council Meetings which acknowledge and acclaim the fact that, evidence of organisational faith and loyalty if any is needed, one should learn it from us. The spontaneity, gay abandon, coupled with serenity and discipline of each and everyone of the nine thousand and odd IOB men and women from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, from Assam, Port Blair to Gujarat, is an eloquent tribute to our organisational achievement in having built up unassailable unity, oneness in understanding and cohesiveness duly breaking all barriers of caste and creed, religion and region, politics and preferences. Yet another notable feature of our organisational involvement was evidenced by the splendid decorations put up by them. Wherever one looked, whether it is Central Office or branches, each and every branch carried the banners greeting the delegates and observers to our 34th General Council Meeting duly displayed with tasteful decorations with festoons and banners. The artistic arch put up at the General Council Meeting venue, and at our Central Office gate, respondently decorated stage, artistic hoarding put up at our Central Office dispersed with fluttering flags provided a panoramic view both at Kalaignar Arangam – venue of the General Council, as well as at Central Office – the citadel of our union.
Members in thousands thronged Chennai city to participate and partake in our 34th General Council. Apart from hundreds of members in North, East and West and from Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, reached Chennai by train, members from Tamil Nadu, reached Chennai by engaging special buses; specially chartered for the purpose. Among them was a large contingent of women comrades.
Almost every unit was represented. Comrades started pouring into Chennai from 18th October onwards. What started as a trickle on 18th was an avalanche on 19th Morning. The entire city wore a festive look, buntings, arches, flags, banners and slogans filled the city. More than 35 choultries were booked for stay of our comrades with comfort and elaborate arrangements were made for boarding.
The Kalaignar Arangam where boarding was arranged was busy throughout. There was not a time when food was not served from afternoon of 18th till late night of 20th October, nearly one thousand members could dine at a time, nevertheless. The process was continuous. It is not within the parameter of our vocabulary to record the full sense of appreciation of the members who attended the General Council Meeting, for the way in which it was manned by various committees, nor it will be possible to list who had given their best for bringing the arrangements to such a grand success.
The flag hoisting ceremony preceding the delegate session portrayed the saga of emotional involvement of our comrades. The atmosphere got further emotionally surcharged, when the vast multitude of members exuberantly cheered the President and General Secretary when they arrived at the venue of flag hoisting accompanied by the accompaniment sonorous invocation song Vande Matharam by the Amirthavarshini team. The comrades of the host unit stood in ceremonial parade, trumphets played and our President Com.L.Balasubramanian unfurled the flag of AIOBEU, to the deafening cheers and reverberating slogans of AIOBEU – Zindabad, NUBE – Zindabad. Our president then released the caged pigeons, which liberating itself from ordeals/fetters flew high in the sky, smelling whiff of fresh air, free and independent environment they deserved, symbolising our ideology, that we are proud members of free independent, non-political trade union movement, independent not merely as fashion, independent from politics, independent from ideological deception and economic banditry both morally corrupting.
After the flag hoisting ceremony members dancing with joy in unison, shouting slogans, demonstrating the bond of unity which binds each IOB men and women meandered in an orderly manner to the main hall to participate in the delegate session in the back drop of respondently decorated stage. Even our adversaries admitted that the congregation of over 9000 IOB men and women at the General Council Meeting was a wonderful demonstration of IOB men and women’s unity. For some of us, it was a sight worthy for the Gods.
There were forces as usual interested in disrupting this great General Council Meeting. But all such attempts failed miserably and they fell by wayside. The juggernaut of AIOBEU moved ahead, moved with determination brushing aside all talks of nonsense, crushing under its massive march all attempts of disruption. Anonymous circulars failed to cut ice. On the other hand these misguided attempts only strengthened the conviction of the members to safeguard the organisation and to carry the banner forward.
The delegate session commenced sharply at 7.30 a.m. on 19th July and concluded on 20th October at 9 p.m. Com.L.Balasubramanian, our young, charismatic, dynamic President who enjoys the adoration and adulations of thousands of Bank employees welcomed the gathering amidst tumultuous applause. In his welcome address he recapitulated our sordid past and assured that ahead of us is a crusade which we are determined to fight to shape nearer to our hearts desire. He reaffirmed that today we are alive with hope, afire, resolve aglow with trust and confidence reposed on us. Expressing his total satisfaction to achievements and activities, paying glowing tributes to the informative report of the General Secretary, he said, the General Secretary’s report will actualise our hope and concretise our resolve and congeal the trust and confidence into ligaments of fraternal love. Overwhelmed with the participation of over 9000 members from nook and corner of the country he remarked that like a house that was built on rocks our organisation stands firm. Lampooning GATT, Dunkel and WTO agreements he said India has irrevocably exited the era of Nehruian altruism, and is being shepherded through the portals of twenty-first century in the gilt sandals of globalisation and privatisation by the IMF and World Bank. Along the way we have been pre-positioned into throwing into open the zealously guarded sanctuary of Banking Industry to private buccaneer and multinational marauders, whose entry was sought to be legitimised by the Narasimham Committee/Verma / Raghuram Rajan Committee, commissioned for the purpose, he decried. He congratulated our ranks steeled and tempered with bedrock of militant struggles for having evoked stiff resistance to the more retrograde recommendations of these committees, like closure of branches and scaling down of priority sector lending, increase in minimum balances which were aimed at hijacking the social Banking to class banking.
He reaffirmed his satisfaction for living upto and fulfilling the faith and confidence of lacs of retired employees of having signed a superlative settlement of pension as one more option in the 9th Bipartite negotiations . Harping upon the fragility of the economy and precarious Bank balances of Public Sector Banks, they wailed their funeral diarge to the hopes and aspirations of the Bank employees. Unmindful of the bleatings, blandishments of IBA, he was proud of NUBE which he said, stands dauntless and undeterred on the question of early & just 10th Bipartite Wage Revision and updation of pension to all.
He said, since our General Secretary has given graphic details with irrefutable facts and figures, underlining the scientific basis of our principled demand, and the struggles we had dared, he did not wish to repeat the same except state that our struggles have made Bankers / Government resile from earlier dogmatic stand.
He concluded stating that, for us in our union, these past 23 years ever since he took the reigns have been years of creative consolidation and articulated amalgamation and with our unity we have weathered the vicissitudes of good fortune and bad, and the hail storms of struggle and sunshine days of celebration have made us immeasurably stronger and wiser.
Amidst thunderous ovations and cheers by the delegates, observers and thousands of comrades from our affiliates and fraternal organisations who were specially permitted to attend the delegate sessions as observers, Com.S.Srinivasan, the General Secretary presented his report on the activities of our union for the period 2010-2013.
He underlined the significant aspects and circumstances in which world in general and our country in particular was passing through, the odds which working class in general has to surmount and in particular role of the Bank employees at this point of time in the history of our movement. Starting with philosophy in general, he explained the tenets of working class philosophy, narrated the struggles of the workers even in advanced countries who have began to look seriously at their comrades in oriental and backward economies as their allies in the world wide struggle against globalisation, the objects and evolution of Public Sector, the motive of the ruling class in attacking Public Sector, programme and plan of the great middle class of our country in combating the challenges, Banking policy – wrong priorities, merger mania, Foreign Banks – new-drain, economic crisis and its impact on India, reprivatisation of insurance sector, economic reforms and rural credit in India, activities and achievements of our Union during interregnum, the struggles and strikes we had dared, social conscience (our CURE), our Bank demands, Industrial relations, our National and Global challenges, our future tasks formed the kernel essence of the Report. He pinpointed further that NUBE has emerged once again as vanguard in 10th Bipartite Negotitions being the first union to come out with comprehensive charter which became template for others. While cautioning the Bank employees of the external danger as above, he emphasised the urgency for bank employees to do away with narrow minded chauvinism and to develop a broader understanding of oneness in serving the Industry as a whole. He exhorted that the generation of such a feeling alone would guarantee and ensure the invincibility of our movement in the emerging circumstances. Pinpointing the attention of bank employees to the series of struggle by the working people against ill-advised reforms, Globalisation, soaring prices and consequential erosion in real wages, and above all threat to future jobs, the General Secretary emphasised that it is inescapable for the bank employees to remain passive and isolated and merely raise and pursue their demands for further economic improvements. He asserted that the time has come for bank employees to consciously involve themselves in series of struggles against rising prices, proper follow up measures to safeguard and strengthen nationalisation, and for nationalisation of all remaining Banks including foreign banks. Com.S.Srinivasan, General Secretary underlined that in involving ourselves wholesomely in such struggles, the bank employees would generate the necessary atmosphere to beat back the dubious games of Bankers, bureaucrats and the Government and thus enable organisation to secure at the appropriate time further improvements in service conditions. In clearer terms, he exhorted the bank employees to the need of retaining with them of all those benefits which were secured through militant struggles and struggle ahead for retaining the same.
On the report of the General Secretary, many members spoke and the General Secretary gave suitable and elaborate reply. The delegates had all praise for the comprehensive report which was adopted unanimously by the delegates. Then the house unanimously adopted the statement of accounts presented by the Treasurer. The house unanimously approved our present auditors M/s.Y.Raju & Associates as our auditors. The General Council further unanimously authorised the President and General Secretary to consider reasonable revision in remuneration if necessary to auditors from time to time and place the same for approval of the National Executive. Various amendments to the bye-laws of our union circulated earlier and recommended by the National Executive to the General Council were unanimously approved by the house, the details of which will be circulated shortly. It goes to the credit of every delegate that they took active interest in these crucial deliberations.
The inaugural session commenced at 5.00 p.m. sharp as scheduled. The vast multitude of over 9000 members, exultant observers from all fraternal organisations, galaxy of all our Executives, past and present, and even retirees from our Bank thronged the venue of our General Council Meeting. The dignitaries were escorted to the dais, honoured with shawls, and memento, amidst clapping by the boisterous audience. The Inaugural Session was given a flying start with mellifluous invocation song invoking celestial powers befitting the occasion by the in-house “Amirthavarshini team”.
The great hero of the halls of justice Sri.A.L.Somayaji, Advocate General of Tamil Nadu the Chief Guest and Our Chairman and Managing Director, Sri.M.Narendra and the dignitaries in the dias lit the traditional “Kuthu Vilakku” (Lamp) to signify that this great organisation should ever be in the limelight and march forward with courage and conviction towards platinum Jubilee followed by Centenary celebrations.
Shri.Gurudutt Nanajkar, General Manager, Chennai – I, Chairman of the Reception Committee, welcomed the huge gathering and expressed his joy and appreciation for the services rendered by an Independent, nonpolitcal Organization like ours for the past 63 years.
Known for humility, simplicity and ability Sri.A.L.Somayaji and his team of lawyers form one of the most dedicated units of our cases and causes. His deep involvement with our union would show that he is more like a sincere, responsible and responsive office bearer of a trade union. Delivering the key note address, Sri A.L Somayaji had a word of appreciation for our union, remaining non-political right from its inception and for the immaculate way of conducting the conference, which is no less to an International Conference.
As per his own observations, trade union organisation remained fairly fluid – even though official figures, confirmed by workers’ testimonies, do show significant increases in trade union membership after Independence. With the decline of the industries since the 1960s, the role of unions had changed drastically. During the 1960s unions had become, again, increasingly militant, but its nature was thoroughly political, fuelled by political party differences rather than – I would argue – workers’ long-term concerns he remarked. One of the possible reasons for the specific form of workers’ organisation may have been the role of outsiders in the trade unions, which has been extensively discussed in the historiography of labour and trade unions. This has included some degree of links with international trade union movements, including during the early part of the twentieth century, but has mainly consisted of a range of Indian middle class men with a variety of backgrounds, social reformers who took of the plight of poor workers against the conservative regime of mostly British employers and the colonial state, developing Indian chapters of the international workers’ movements, and the nationalist movement that associated itself with or consisted of groups of industrial workers., it needs to be highlighted, particular circumstances shaped the nature of a possible ‘outsider’ in Trade Union : He does not see a necessary contradiction between involvement of outsiders and sustained organisation, nor sees workers as passive instruments of the leaders’. The insider-outsider paradigm is a highly problematic simplification of a much more complex relationship between workers and owners. He hastened to add Outside leadership has been playing a pivotal role in Indian Trade Union Movement due to the inability of insiders to lead their movement. In view of low education standards and poor command over English language which is still the principal language of labour legislation and negotiations, low level of knowledge about labour legislation, unsound financial position, fear of victimisation by the employer, lack of experience, skills needed to match the paradigm shift in IR and HR, outside leaders have come to stay. The main reason for this trend is that the Trade Unions Act, 1926, (India) itself provided the scope for outside leadership. Section 22 of the Act requires that ordinarily not less than half of the Office Bearers registered union shall be actively engaged or employed in an industry to which the union relates he remarked.
Amidst the crescendo of exuberance of the members, Com.L.Balasubramanian gave his Presidential address. He was proud that our Union champions the cause of non political and independent trade union movement but has always mingled with thousands of others in identifying the causes which labour find in common. He highlighted with verve and gusto that this General Council Meeting is convened at Chennai, the cradle of our Union, the citadel of our Union, a historic city where resolution for ‘complete independence’ was passed by the Indian National Congress in 1927, the birth place for the first trade union which was formed in 1918 and a city which has produced high intellectuals, distinguished philosophers, mathematicians, scientists. Coming down heavily on the reform agenda pursued by the Government of India, despite the fact that the much touted reforms, globalization has not brought any relief to the common man. The much boasted growth in GDP has lead to jobless growth. The population below the poverty line is increasing day by day. Need of the hour is to strengthen the commanding heights of the economy, retain the Public Sector character of the Public Sector Banks. He condemned the Govt.’s move on FDI in multi –brand retail, Insurance and Pension Fund and explained in a lucid style as to how this move is going to be detrimental to the interests of millions and millions of small traders and their livelihood. The FDI in Insurance and Pension Fund will be used for speculative purposes without adding anything in a concrete manner to the growth of the GDP. He denounced the amendment to Banking Regulation Act as it paves way for the Corporate Houses to meddle in the affairs of the Public Sector Banks. The move also opens the doors for opening Banks in the Private Sector by the big Corporate Houses, who have been waiting to capitalize on the big potential in the commercial banking for reaping huge profits. Mounting a scathing attack on the foreign banks role in the scams, their utter unconcern for social banking, he lamented that the ruling elite are infected with corruption while even after six decades of independence, “roti, kapada aur makan” still remains a distance dream for a vast majority of the people. Coming to the issues that are of immediate interest, he lambasted the recommendations of Narasimham, Raghuram Rajan and other expert Committees – proponents of privatization and mergers. He was convinced their reports subserve only the agenda of IMF, World Bank as well as transnational capital. The recommendations are clearly designed to subvert the public sector ownership of Banks, abandoning the social banking, jettison priority lending banking and scuttle the exposure of large willful defaulters, artificially creating employees surplus which together with recommended mergers acquisitions and liquidations are aimed at creating a sense of insecurity among employees. He urged the government to initiate steps on a war footing to constitute more Debt Recovery Tribunals in Metro, Urban as well as Rural Centres. The exercise of Expert Committee is contrived to effectively camouflage the wilful defaulters, he said. He asserted that the Nationalised Banks in India is a model to be emulated by the West and not extinguished by the western model which in spite of subjection to stringent income recognition, capital adequacy norms, drained by the willful defaulters many of whom are the captain of Industries or Industrial houses has shown tremendous resilience in raising the operating profit in the current year. This he said, was possible only due to the dogged determination of bank workers and working people of the country who have sweated and toiled, hard to preserve job security, dignity, future, radiating immense confidence among the public and poorer sections. He highlighted inter alia the good industrial relationship in our Bank and was proud that our Union is a precursor for triggering a IT revolution in the banking industry in India, being the first Union in Nationalised banks to sign a settlement as early as 1991. Due to our pragmatic stand we are proud that IOB had carved the niche as frontline bankers ‘on line’ he remarked. He highlighted a crucial point that our union has always been imaginative in approaching disputes and problems with our management. He mentioned that in IOB more than the relationship that could exist in an establishment, where Industrial Relation are by and large good, there is a feeling among them of being in a big family. He was proud that IOB men wherever they are form a part and parcel of one big family. Touching upon the 10th Bipartite, he expressed the hope that there will be a good hike in the salaries, allowances and perquisites of bankmen in tune with the environmental factors.
As a responsible Union, he lauded the efforts of members in adhering to the clarion call of the Union in canvassing low cost SB deposits. He placed on record the services rendered by Com.C.R.Chandrasekaran and Com.P.Balagopala Menon the doyens who not only immmortalised the six magic letters AIOBEU but bequeathed it in golden platters to all of us. If we are fully armed with our comrades and pledge to fight for a better tomorrow, we shall have to protect Bank Nationalisation for which our rank and file of yesteryears fought, he emphasized. He urged upon the Government to formulate credit policies by taking bank employees into confidence and appealed to the members to launch struggles against privatisation as it is a struggle for the welfare of the people. He exhorted the members to keep the organisation and its ideology intact and strengthen it further.
Sri.M.Narendra, Chairman & Managing Director of our Bank then spoke. In expression of our reciprocal feelings, the entire gathering in the auditorium gave him standing ovation and cheers embroidering his speech. He remarked that he had agreed to participate in the Inaugural Session, mainly to get himself acquainted with such large concourse of IOB men and share his thoughts with them. He was happy that he could come for the Inauguration of our 34th General Council Meeting. In his brief address he gave graphic description relating to the various parameters of growth of our bank and showered appreciation on our Union for its positive, progressive role. He was proud that he and his colleagues on the management receive good co-operation from our Union and our members, which has enabled solutions to many problems amicably. Speaking on the occasion he gave useful hints for diversifying Bank’s products and new services. He continued his thought provoking address stating that our Union is a matured organisation with full understanding of problems faced by not only our Bank but the industry as a whole. In his oriental address he oriented us with the nectar of profitability. He underscored that the management will endeavour to spruce up the motivation level for he held the conviction that only a motivated human resource can ensure unhindered growth.
The under mentioned welfare schemes launched by us underlining our commitment to society, dispelling the calumny unleashed by vested interests, evoked grand response and coverage in all news papers, some even covering with minute details and with photographs of the inaugural session. We are indebted to media who were kind enough to cover our munificent scheme launched by the Union. The Hon’ble Chief Guest handed over a cheque on behalf of the Union, to the representative of Shri Madha Trust. Thereafter cheque were handed over to Jevodaya Hospice for Cancer Patients. This apart, cheque was handed over to Thai Illam Social Service Trust. Further cheque was handed over to the representative of Ekam foundation by the Hon’ble Chief Guest, in tune with the social vision of the union. We will endeavour to widen the scope of these welfare scheme in the coming years upholding our maxim that for ‘Good people to Grow With’ self development can be achieved only through community service. Launching of these noble scheme, and wide coverage given by the media has enriched our claim that our Union is a symbol of service to humanity, enriching our claim, that we have a social vision and we uphold the principle of Nationalisation in letter and spirit and will not allow it to be hijacked by vested interests.
Shri A.D.M. Chavali our Executive Director greeting the General Council Meeting was profuse in his compliments to the members of staff for their fully identifying with the institution, and for the responsible role played by the union. While emphasising that discipline and customer sensitive approach will be the buzz word for further progress in the present competitive scenario, he gave a call for renewed dedication from all to render courteous selfless service not only to our customers and thereby resurrect our image of glory, but also to the millions of country men and for the fulfillment of the aspiration of the common man and poor in all centres. Smt.Indira Padmini, General Manager Personnel enlightening in her speech, acknowledged the role of staff for good progress made even against all odds in the changing complex, competitive scenario. While greeting the General Council Meeting she was profuse in her compliments to members of staff. She said that she was elated by the huge gathering of IOBians.
Com.K.Anandakumar, General Secretary IOB Officers’ Association extended fraternal greetings on his behalf and on behalf of entire officers of IOB. He said today our union has acquired its own distinct stature as the genuine voice of Bank employees and hoped that in the days ahead, it will march towards greater glory with fraternity, solidarity and unity of all the employees. He expressed his happiness that the coordination between Union and Officers’ Association, which has been maintaining unity for the past several years and achieved numerous common benefits, would be strengthened further to meet the future challenges.
Paying rich encomiums to the minute and meticulous planning which has gone to make this 34th General Council Meeting a resounding success, Com.J.D.Sharma President of IOBOA, officer nominee in the board, congratulated the membership for various achievements during the past years. He traced his association with our Union. He was happy to participate in our General Council Meeting and congratulated the Union for the various achievements. Striking a note of caution he gave a clarion call depicting succinctly the evil effects of privatisation and ill-advised moves of the government hijacking nationalised banks to private interests and to be ever prepared to fight such mendacious designs of the powers that be with all forces in our command.
On the occasion the veteran trade unionist, Com.V.S.T.Kumarasamy, our former Vice-President, President of IOBOA, former Director of the Bank, General Manager has felicitated and his service to the trade union movement was eulogized.
The inaugural session concluded with Vote of thanks by our General Secretary. The inaugural session was a resounding success as evidenced by the fact that whole of vast hall was jam-packed, and participants listened to the inspiring speeches of dignitaries and distinguished personalities with rapt attention. Among the distinguished in the gathering were our Executives present and past to whom we owe a fund of gratitude for their encouragement, solidarity and cooperation.
The elections to various posts were keenly contested. But the difficult task of conducting elections for various posts was commendably and professionally performed by the whole team of Election Committee under the able Chairmanship of Com.N.Sridaran. Untold sufferings they had to undergo but they did everything with a smile, due to their love for this great organisation. They took all stress and strains of fulfilling this uphill task in their strides and brought tremendous success to the machinery and the system which always stood for democratic traditions. We place on record our sincere appreciation and gratitude to members of the Election Committee, who bettering all previous records, conducted the election professionally in an environment which will do proud to our organisation.
About 102 resolutions arising out of General Secretary’s Report and otherwise as recommended to the General Council by National Executive were placed before the house and the same were unanimously approved.
Elected Office Bearers, Members of National Executive and Regional Committee for the coming term in the 34th General Council is as per list furnished in the Election Committee Circular No.05/2013 dated 24.10.2013.
We thank the members of the various committees for the superb job they have done. Their insatiable enthusiasm and youthful vigour have made them to accomplish much unequal task of hosting around 9000 members of various temperaments hailing from various parts of the country. We join with you in placing on record our sincere appreciation for the stupendous tasks they have done. Reporting of the proceedings of the General Council Meeting would be incomplete if we do not mention good work churned out by the phalanx of dedicated volunteers of the Chennai – I, Chennai – I I and Central Office.
We are conscious that in this brief narration it is impossible for us to re-captivate the entire atmosphere of serenity, organisational grandeur, depth of loyalty, maturity in understanding all aspects of organisational activity of the 34th General Council Meeting in full. We can however sum the experience of one and all of the participants of this glorious 34th General Council Meeting as under.
Our union perhaps, is the only union having the distinction of conducting General Council Meetings regularly since 1954. In 63 years of chequered history there has been many elections and General Council Meetings of a scale and magnitude which, many others could visualise only in their dreams. In the last General Council Meeting more than ½ of Bank’s work force attended but in this General Council Meeting more than ¾ of award staff of IOB participating, is indeed healthier sign of activity none can think of. If today IOB employees could draw their beloved organisation so thoroughly as could be conscious of their duties, obligations and right distinctly the entire credit goes to ALL INDIA OVERSEAS BANK EMPLOYEES’ UNION and their movement under its banner will ever remain one. Let us keep up the tradition – the tradition of love and affection, tradition of hard work and service, tradition of dedication to the cause of which we hold dear to our heart.
There is nothing that could stunt our progress or destroy our unity. Attempts are there and have been there, but they have been foiled and will be foiled.
The memories of the General Council Meeting every member carries back to his/her branch are bound to be pleasant and long lasting would synergize further our sense of unity and dedication to the organisation and to meet the future with ease.
We could distinctly hear the heart beats of this General Council Meeting in the swift moments of the working of the various committees under the leadership of the dedicated convenors, Com.M.Balasubramanian, AGS, Chennai (I) and Com.S.Anandan, AGS, Chennai (II), Com.T.M.Suresh Kumar, AGS, Central Office. The General Council Meeting can well be dedicated to the energies of various committees. Their organisational love was pure, a devotion to duty that was genuine and their capacity to work tirelessly was contagious and has made this General Council Meeting what it is. They unsparingly offered the sum of the capabilities.
But for them the curtain of the General Council Meeting of the size and nature would not rung down with utmost sense of satisfaction writ large on the face of every IOB men and women who have participated in this glorious, marvelous, mammoth 34th General Council Meeting. This General Council Meeting is a tribute to the organising capacities of our Chennai Comrades.
When the curtain rang down in the General Council Meeting and when the members were dispersing from Chennai, there was a spell of satisfaction and contentment that the job was well done. It was felt in profusion that in spite of the circumstances prevailing today, never before was the unity of IOB men/women more pronounced, seldom before their security in being one under the proud banner of AIOBEU, felt great and never before, was these sense of understanding and camaraderie deeper. So long as this spirit, prevail, nothing is formidable for IOB men and women.
The General Council Meeting has been a resounding success but that alone should not make us complacent and forget our duties to the organisation. The same joy that we had demonstrated when we met each other should remain in our heart for ever to cement further and further the bond of unity amongst all of us. Let it be our continued mission to hold aloft with pride. Our banner, the symbol of success, so that, together we could enrich each other’s life.
Yours Comradely,
(S.SRINIVASAN)
GENERAL SECRETARY
Encl : as above
AIOBEU – ZINDABAD
NUBE – ZINDABAD
WORKERS UNITY – ZINDABAD
OUR 34TH GENERAL COUNCIL MEETING – ZINDABAD