List of Office Bearers

Those were the heydays of union activities in nationalised banks. Govt had decided to place union representatives as directors in the Board of Directors of the banks. Workmen and officer directors became privy to crucial decisions and could participate in policy matters of the bank. 

Consequently the leaders and unions became more powerful. After appointment of clerk and/or officer as director - unions decided to organise meetings. Appointed directors were felicitated in the meetings with garlands and slogans.  

Such meetings always had slogan shouting competition! However, the job-card of workman directors in the Board was less understood, but of course perks were quickly known and eyed with bit of jealousy. 

Shouting slogans in union meetings was an art in itself. Alas this is dying out. Slogans were used at the beginning, occasionally in between the speeches and finally at the end of the meetings. 

Slogan Shouter would call upon the gathering to raise the pitch of the slogans so high that it reaches Parliament House, UN Head Quarters and even clouds. There were passive participants also like Yours Truly, who hardly opened their throats & therefore Parliament House and UN Head Quarters remain safe!

Style & wordings of the slogans changed with slogan shouter. Certain words like -Zindabad, Murdabad, Amar Rahe, Workers of the world - Unite etc are immortal slogans. Some  shouters used colourful and interesting ones like: 

 

- Hum na Bank Kholenge to Bank me Ulloo Bolenge, 

- Chamchon ka Naash ho, 

- Jo Hamse Takraega, Choor Choor ho Jaega, 

- E ki hoya Phalana Moya and so on!

 

Once Com Gupta was near the stage and was trying his throat on slogans. Suddenly he got confused and instead of shouting AIEBA Zindabad, shouted CAIIB Zindabad! This was much to the amusement of all present there ( AIBEA is the union and CAIIB was the name of an exam for bankers).

 

Similarly Com Sehgal shouted 'Director Special' - Zindabad ( hinting to a particular brand of whiskey ) which led to laughter all around. 

After one such meeting held for electing new office bearers (because of old office bearer had become director ) of our union, following list of office bearers was displayed on the Notice Board:

Com Gupta - President 

Fit personality for a President for he had an extra large tummy, thin patch of hair, black spects & loud booming voice. Avoided by ladies staff & therefore lesser problems for union. He maintained that ladies are good for nothing & should stay at home. Successful negotiater as he could threaten, abuse & cajole Branch Managers. 

Com Goel - Vice

Thin like a pencil, always remains as a shadow of President. Never had any independent opinion of his own on any subject. If President says beer Com Goyal says beer and if President says whiskey com Goyal says whiskey. As simple as that.

Com Narula - Secy

Smart bachelor guy who can be found hovering around ladies. Balding on the top but frequently combing his coloured hair. He knew which group to join for lunch & which lady prepares which dish better. He often asked ladies about their requirement of house-hold items like pillows, bed sheets, tiffin boxes for kids etc so that he could organise supply thru his contacts. A little commission on the sly did not do any harm to anyone.

Com Hari Haran - Jt secy

Bearded, short cropped hair,  usually dressed in black, frowning with mean looking eyes. More of a Shani Dev accommodated for being sub-staff and a Sewadar. Always kept a blank receipt book of 5th Vishal Jagran in his mohalla. Usually collected money from ladies or Sr officers. His slogan - Jo dar gaya vo paisa de gayaa ! 

Com Arora - Treasurer

Real treasure trove of market info --where to get butter chicken at odd hours, where to go for tangri kebabs, how to get a bottle from army canteen etc. Soft spoken, helpful and pleasant to talk to, he was liked by all sections of workers. 

Post of Adviser remains vacant. Do you wish to join?

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