The Ninetieth Anniversary of Reserve Bank of India Employees' Association, Chennai was celebrated on 30th June 2014 on the beautifully decorated dais at the Banking Hall of RBI. Com.A.Govindasamy, President of RBIEA, Chennai presided over the function. Sri R.Gandhi, Dy.Governor was the Chief Guest. Sri T.K.Rangarajan, M.P. from Tamilnadu graced the function. Com.Samir Ghosh, Gen.Secretary of AIRBEA and Dr.Sadakathulla, Regional Director of Tamilnadu and Pondichery were the other dignitaries who adorned the dais. Past office bearers, committee members and activists attended the function in good number. The members of the executive committee of the Forum of Retired employees of RBI were present in full strength. The meeting commenced with a patriotic glorifying the labour movement. Com. B.Christy Kennedy, present Secretary of RBIEA extended a warm welcome to the dignitaries and other invitees.
In the Presidential address Com.A.Govindasamy said that the city of Chennai had the cherished history of pioneering many struggles and movements. He said RBIEA is one of the most militant organisations in the Trade Union. He informed that the Currency Employee's Union was formed in the year 1923 which was later transformed to RBI employees' Association after the enactment of RBI Act 1935. He gave a detailed account of the odds and onslaughts the Association had faced from the Government and the Management in the past. He recalled the services rendered by the illustrious leaders of the movement which was responsible for many achievements. Com.A.G. made a special mention about the leadership provided by Comrades Ashis Sen, Samir Ghosh, K.T.Sule, T.K.Ghosh, Ajit Subedar, Valanju, Biren Sen and Naresh Das from the All India. Locally he praised the role played by of Comrades V.G.Row, R.Parthasarathy, A.Natarajan and W.R.Varadarajan in leading various struggles and strengthening the organisation.
Sri R.Gandhi, Dy.Governor in his address congratulated the Association on the occasion of its 90th Anniversary. He mentioned that the Trade unions' role will go a long way in making the management to make a true assessment of their functioning. He mentioned the efforts taken by RBI in creating public awareness for the functions discharged by RBI. He informed that RBI has recently constituted various committees to formulate innovative ideas to promote employees welfare. He appealed that the Unions should strive their best both for the employees' benefits as well as the institutional growth.
Com.Samir Ghosh appreciated Sri Raghuram Rajan, the Governor and Sri R.Gandhi, the Dy.Governor for their positive outlook and understanding of the employees' problem in the proper perspective. He said that under their leadership the RBI employees are sure to get their major problems resolved. He appreciated the role played by the leaders and membership at Chennai in implementing the calls and in building up a strong organisation. He gave a vivid picture of the employees' flight in the earlier years of the Association's formation and how various leaders toiled to strengthen the association inch by inch to its present level. He requested Sri T.K.Rangarajan, M.P. to voice the grievances of RBItes in the floor of the Parliament.
Dr.Sadakathulla the Regional Director of RBI made a mention about the various welfare measures the Bank is implementing. He assured his support to the cause of the retirees in all matters. He also announced of his plans to accede to the request of the Forum of retired employees to provide a room in the Bank's Annexe building for their secretarial functioning. He also appreciated the services of the "RBI Chennai Friends" Group to the past and present employees of RBI at Chennai.
Sri T.K.Rangarajan, M.P. while addressing the gathering mentioned about the good rapport he and his senior Sri Umanath maintained with the leaders of RBIEA, Chennai in the past. He assured his continued support both inside and outside the Parliament. While computing statistics and drawing various policies RBI should take into account the interest of the base level workers. He pointed out that although there is considerable improvement in the industrial output the number of workers in small entrepreneurs and small and medium scale industries has come down drastically to an alarming level during the past twenty years. He said if the same trend continues the country may have to face disastrous results. He wanted RBI to guide the Government in the right direction.
Past leaders of RBIEA, Chennai viz.Comrades A. Natarajan, S.Jayaraman, T.V.Subramanian, R.Chandrasekaran, R.Sivanesan, N.V.Padmanabhan, K.Ramasubramanian and S.Ramabadrdan were invited to the dais and were honoured with shawls and mementos. Sri R.Sivanesan and N.V.Padmanabhan could not attend the function as they were out of station.
In addition, many retirees who were actively associated with RBIEA in the past graced the occasion. R.V.Raman, M.Pugazhendi, T.K.Chandrasekar Nair, R.Rajagopalan, Sri A.Manoharan, A.Sivasubramanian, R.Chakrapani, G.S.N.Prasad, G.Mohandas, N.Janardhanan, G.Devarajan, S.Radhakrishnan, M.Hariharan, S.Venugopalan, S.Thiagarajan, G.S.Shunmugam, Sarada Maheswar, S.Vaijayanthi, Juliet Ashok Raj are a few to mention.
Bharatha Natyam was performed by two young comrades Sujitha and Vidya as a part of entertainment.
One of the highlights of the function was the beautiful display of old photographs depicting various events in the past. Light refreshments were served to all the members who attended the function. Sri A.P. Mathivanan compered the programme in an impressive manner and also proposed vote of thanks. The successfully organised function has thus come to a close.
- B.Chandraiah
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