Nelson Mandela

All India Insurance Employees’ Association (AIIEA) deeply mourns the demise of Nelson Mandela, anti-apartheid activist and an iconic freedom fighter of South Africa, who passed away on 5 December 2013. Mandela led a long and arduous struggle for freedom against one of the most brutal regimes in the world.  He was a symbol of all the people in the world who struggle for freedom, democracy and human dignity.

                                       

Nelson Rohlihlahla Mandela, born on July 18, 1918, joined the African National Congress at the age of 25. He was instrumental in the establishment of the ANC Youth League. He played a crucial role in the drafting of the 'Freedom Charter', the guiding force of the freedom and anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa.   

Mandela was confined to rigorous, solitary imprisonment for 27 years in the dreaded Palesmoor High Security Prison in Robben Island, off the coast of South Africa.  This could not break his indomitable spirit or make him bow his head before the authoritarian apartheid regime. The apartheid government and its imperialist supporters were forced to release Mandela by the popular pressure exerted by people world over.

After his release from prison in February 1990, Mandela became the President of ANC and then went on to win the elections of free South Africa and became its first black President. Unlike many leaders who cling to power, Mandela voluntarily retired after serving one term as the President of South Africa. He was the Secretary General of the Non-aligned Movement during 1998-99.

In Mandela's demise, the world has lost one of its finest sons who fought lifelong for the betterment of the peoples' living conditions. In his death, all the people fighting for freedom and against injustice have lost a valuable ally. His death is a great loss to humanity. At the same time his life and work remain a source of inspiration in the onward march of humanity for freedom and liberty.

AIIEA expresses its profound grief at the demise of this legendary leader and extends its heartfelt condolences to the people of South Africa.

(K. Venu Gopal)

General Secretary

All India Insurance Employees’ AssociationNavigation

Dharna held at LIC Building on Dec.14, 2013 against Insurance Amendment Bill.2008 by ICEU,Chennai Di.I

Meeting with Sri.B.S.Gnanadesikan TNCC president to support our struggle against the Insurance Amendment Bill on 30.11.2013.

Dr.B.R.Ambedkar rememberance convention held on 7.12.2013. Com.Beema Rao CPI(M) MLA and com.R.Govindarajan participated.

Meeting with Sri.Maitheryan MP, Rajaya Sabha leader of ADMK to seek his support to our struggle against Insurance amendment BILL. on 7.12.2013

       DR.B.R.AMBEDKAR MEMORIAL DAY CONVENTION-CHENNAI

A Convention was organised by the ICEU, Chennai Division-1, on December 7, 2013 to mark the death anniversary of Dr.B.R.Ambedkar. The meeting started after paying respects to the memory of Dr.Ambedkar and South African leader Shri Nelson Mandela, who passed away on December 5, 2013, by observing a minute’s silence. Com.S.Rameshkumar, General Secretary, ICEU, Chennai Division-1, welcomed the gathering and invited the guest speakers on to the dais. The meeting was presided over by Com.R.Kiran Kumar, Vice-President, ICEU, Chennai Division-1, who gave an introductory speech highlighting the educational background of Dr.Ambedkar both in India and abroad and appreciating his role in the formation of the Reserve Bank of India.

Com.K.Bhimrao, CPI-M MLA from a Chennai city constituency, recalled the stellar role played by Dr.Ambedkar in drafting the Constitution of India, his sincere efforts at unifying and organising a fight by eighty trade unions in Mumbai. He stood for the pre-eminence of the public sector in the country but the present rulers were following policies which were detrimental to the interests of the nation and its people. He decried the attempts of the government to destabilise the public sector LIC and asserted that defending the public sector LIC would tantamount to defending the nation and its people. Dr.Ambedkar firmly stood for providing rights to women including the right to property and also for protecting the women from social evils.. He appealed for launching powerful agitations to defeat the neo-liberal policies of the government and the domination by the upper class in society. He applauded the role played by the AIIEA and its Units in this fight.

Com.R.Govindarajan, former Joint Secretary of AIIEA, who greeted the Convention, referred to the fight put up by Shri Nelson Mandela against racial discrimination in South Africa and his suffering for 27 years in jail. He told the gathering that Dr.Ambedkar also fought against oppression on dalits; one has to ponder whether the thoughts and movements of Dr.Ambedkar are relevant today; even after 66 years of rule by the Nehru clan, even today dalits are being attacked and the bill for women’s rights was opposed by Congress M.Ps. The British exploited the differences among the population and after independence the ruling classes continued the same policies of divide and rule. Even among the leaders who fought for national liberation, there were some prominent leaders who fought against social transformation. After explaining the stand of Dr.Ambedkar on several issues including  planned economy, nationalisation of the insurance and similar other industries, temple entry by the dalits etc., he asserted that Dr.Ambedkar’s policies were quite relevant today. He also stressed the need to fight for distribution of land to the tiller. He praised the role played by the Units of AIIEA in Tamil Nadu in the activities of the Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front and gave out a clarion call for alternate policies.

Com.D.Ramesh, Joint Secretary, ICEU, proposed a vote of thanks.

            

 Social assistance by ICEU, Chennai Division-I

On November 5, 2013 relief work was undertaken by ICEU, Chennai Division-I for the people affected by fire mishap at Maduravoyal area of Chennai. Some huts in the DR.Ambedkar Nagar was completely burned down by fire accident recently during the Deepavali festival. All valuable belonging including clothes were burnt. As per the tradition of helping the people in need by our organization, on hearing the news it was decided by the insurance corporation employees’ union to help the hutment dwellers. So a relief camp was organized on the same day as mentioned. Com.Beema Rao., MLA CPI(M), representing the maduravoyal constituency in Tamil nadu legislature was the chief guest for the relief work. Com.K.Swaminathan General Secretary, SZIEF, Com.S.Ramesh Kumar General Secretary, ICEU, Chennai Division-I, Com.K.Sridhar Treasurer, Com.D.Ramesh Joint Secretary and others participated in the relief work.

Comrades of nearby branch (koyembedu, CBO.28) also participated.