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STATE BANK OF INDIA OFFICERS’ ASSOCIATION [Chennai Circle] REPORT OF THE GENERAL SECRETARY PRESENTED TO THE 25TH GENERAL BODY MEETING HELD ON 16TH NOVEMBER 2014 AT COIMBATORE 1 REPORT OF THE GENERAL SECRETARY TO THE 25th GENERAL BODY MEETING OF STATE BANK OF INDIA OFFICERS’ ASSOCIATION (CHENNAI CIRCLE) HELD ON 16th NOVEMBER 2014 AT COIMBATORE My Dear President and beloved Comrades, From the bottom of my heart I thank the visionary leaders, militant Executive Committee Members of the past and present and the huge army of soldiers who created this great edifice through struggles and sacrifices. The Present Executive Committee amd myself have been too fortunate to be here in the historic Silver Jubilee General Body conducted in the Golden Jubilee year. The General Body will prepare the road map for the future of the Organisation. The three year period has been a period of turmoil, struggles and victories. In the report we will critically analyse the functioning of the Organisation with an aim to correct ourselves where necessary. Change is inevitable. The Organisation has been changing over a period of time adjusting to the situations learning from the experiences of the past and also with a futuristic view. We are aware that we will not be here forever and We will definitely hand over the Organisation to the future generation as a strong, militant, knowledgeable tech-savvy, caring and member centric peoples movement. Our Court Cases brought back some glory of the Organisation. Our strike call made us strong. The attack on the leadership taught us many lessons. The elections proved that our membership at large is above caste, creed, religion and language. We know that we are subjected to scrutiny. We know that we have to fulfil the aspirations. We know that we are only the trustees for a while We know that we have a larger responsibility to the nation as a whole We know that we should continue to be a role model for others We know that we have been elected to serve We know that we are accountable to the future generation 2 We know that we have to practice and not preach We know that the expectations are very high We know that we are at a critical juncture We are ready to sacrifice, We are ready to fight, We are ready for challenge, We are here to fulfil your aspirations. Appreciate us if we do something good Crucify us if we commit mistake. Let this Conference be an eye opener. Let this Conference see the blossoming of democracy. Let this Conference create a bench mark. Yes, Comrades, We will be always at your service. Let us discuss what is happening around us, within us and prepare a vision for the future. Homage Com. R.N. Godbole , Former President, SBIOA (Chennai Circle) ,Former General Secretary, AISBOF, Founder General Secretary, AIBOC & PWTUC First Officer Director, Central Board of State Bank of India passed away on 04.09.2012 at Chennai. Com. M. Muthukrishnan, one of the founders of the Association who played a major role in registering the Association was a Assistant Secretary when the Association was formed and played a vital role in the initial stages. He was very regular to all our meetings in the last few years. He passed away on 24.04.2014. Com. P.S. Santhanakrishnan, who was one among those who helped in registering our Association passed away on 23.12.2013. 3 Shri S. Ramasamy, former President of SBIOA(CC) passed away on 04.10.2013 at Chennai Com. N. Radhakrishnan, former Zonal Secretary, retired from Puraswalkam Branch passed away on 20.01.2014 at Chennai. We have lost few of our colleagues during the period under review. We pay our homage to them Late S/Shri Branch Date of Death K.R. Arokiaraj, Mgr Salem 11.08.2011 Sudalai DM Arni 28.10.2011 P.R. Thiruvenkataramani Mrg RACPC, CBE 29.02.2012 M. Visalakshi AM Cheyyar 23.03.2012 S. Sabari AM(S) Woraiyur 28.04.2012 V. Viswanathan Mgr AO, Coimbatore 30.04.2012 S. Natarajan AM Udhagamandalam18.06.2012 K. Marimuthu BM Karanthai 10.08.2012 Confucius AM TFCPC 01.09.2012 S. Karuppasamy AM IFB Chennai 16.09.2012 C. Karuppaswamy AM LHO, Chennai 30.09.2012 G.K. Irudayaraj CM AU, Mdu 01.11.2012 P. Ravindran AM Jallipatti 13.12.2012 K. Natarajan DM LHO, Chennai 16.04.2013 R. Kalaichelvi BM Vadavalli 08.05.2013 M. Masthan Ali DM CCPC Mdu 20.07.2013 C. Raja Mgr SARC Trichy 07.08.2013 Shanmuga Kumarasamy AGM IFB, Chennai 24.11.2013 T. Elango AM Tidel Park 24.11.2013 R. Gopalakrishnan AM Mylapore 11.03.2013 4 D. John DM LIBM 10.02.2014 M. Sundararaju DM Aranthangi 07.02.2014 P. Dharmalingam AM Kethanur 10.01.2014 R. Raju AM Sankari 21.02.2014 Sivasundaram MKB Nagar 31.05.2014 S. Sendhil DM Harur 11.06.2014 Jayakumar CM RASMEC, Madurai Sundararajan DM RASMEC Salem Palani Mgr Narayanapuram We have lost many Trade Union Leaders, political leaders and stalwarts during this period. We have also lost many soldiers in skirmishes with Pakistan. We have lost many innocent people due to attack by terrorists. We pay our homage to all of them. May their souls rest in peace. ABOUT COIMBATORE Coimbatore city is situated on the banks of the river Noyyal surrounded by Western Ghats. Coimbatore existed even prior to the 2nd Century AD as a small tribal village capital called Kongunad until it was brought under Chola control in the 2nd or 3rd Century AD by Karikalan, the first of the early Cholas. According to ancient manuscripts, Coimbatore's history can be traced to the Irula tribal chief Kovan and his clan who were it's earliest settlers and the founders of "Kovanpatti " a part of Kongunadu. Years later, the surrounding forests were cleared, and a new village was formed called "Kovanputhur", which over the years came to be known as "Coimbatore". Coimbatore is the third largest city in Tamilnadu with a population of more than 15 lakhs. There are more than 30,000 tiny small, medium and large industries and textile mills. The city is known for its entrepreneurship of its residents. It is famous for the textile industry, and often referred to as the Manchester of South India. Trade associations such as CODISSIA, COINDIA, SITRA AND COJEWEL representing industries are vibrant in the City. It is also known for manufacture of pumps. 5 The city is also known for it's educational institutions of fame in technology and agriculture. Coimbatore Agricultural University is renowned as one of the best colleges of it's kind in South Asia. In spite of it's industrial and technological growth, traditions and age old customs are still held in high esteem. The temples bear witness to the religiousness and love of art and architecture of the people, viz. Patteswarar Temple, Perur Murugan Temple, Marudhamalai; Arulmigu Echanari Vinayakar Temple, etc. There are also a number of places of tourist interest around Coimbatore viz. Aliyar Dam, Near Pollachi; Monkey Falls, Near Aliyar; Salim Ali Ornithology Centre, Anaikatty; Kovai Kutralum, Siruvani Hills; Valparai Hill Station; Cholayar Dam; Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park etc. Ootacamund (Ooty for short), is one of the most popular tourist spots in India. Working class politics emerged in Coimbatore in 1930s and '40s, when the workers of textile mills in the city began to demand better wages and working conditions. The first trade union in the city, Coimbatore Mill Workers Union, was formed in 1937. "Those days, special overseers armed with whips were posted in mills to ensure that employees work for at least 16 hours daily without rest,". Coimbatore is synonymous with workers' movements and struggles for securing the rights of the men and women, who made the spindles spin and earn the city its title of the Manchester of South India. Naturally, mill workers formed the fulcrum of trade unions in the city followed by employees of garment units and mechanical manufacturing units that were booming sectors. The city's trade union leaders and activists like Jeevanandam, K N Sinnayan, N K Krishnan, Parvathy Krishnan, A Subramaniam, U K Vellingiri and P S Chinnadurai are nationally known. A turning point in the trade union history of Coimbatore was when 15 mills including Kaleeswara mills, Pankaja Mills and Cambodia Mills were declared sick units in 1967. The workers protested the mismanagement of the mills that led to their decline. Over 5,000 workers were imprisoned and the strike led to the formation of the Tamil Nadu Textile Corporation, which took over the mills. "The movement in Coimbatore was spearheaded by Parvathy Krishnan and other leaders, which laid the foundation for the central government to draft a bill in 1974 and form the National Textile Corporation," 6 One of the milestones in Trade Union history of Coimbatore was the five-and- half month-long strike at the Lakshmi Machine Works Unit in Coimbatore when 400 workers were imprisoned for 22 days in 1977. The agitation was triggered when the management decided to terminate two permanent employees. The workers carried the agitation till the workers were reinstated. We are glad that we are in this citadel of the trade union movement. Let us go around the world to see what is happending. Around the World Death of Nelson Mandela His wellbeing had been a cause for concern for months, but Nelson Mandela finally succumbed to a chronic lung infection that stemmed from his years of incarceration. Mandela’s death was mourned by world leaders and those who fought for his freedom and the end of South African apartheid.

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