Let us be torch bearers of
Our philosophy and principles of IRTSA
Comments Er Nirmal Chandran on the subject of Unity
Receivedby Email dated 17.7.2009
From Nirmal Chandran, Org. Secretary, CEC IRTSA to GS IRTSA
Sir,
With all due respects, I am sending (herewith) my comments (on the subject of Unity) for your kind attention
Whereas, IRTSA and its leadership have shown great depth in purpose. It has stood tall and strong for the past 45 years. Our constitution was so well structured, that it has nurtured great leadership and it has guided and channelised the spirit of the members to fight for the legitimate rights in the right manner and at the right place and has achieved several progressive demands. Over the years, it has built a strong and healthy relationship with the Ministry, Railway board and both the Federations. It has earned respect from all quarters.
In my opinion, merger is welcome and is ideally speaking too good for the cadre, but it does not always work that way as we practically see in any organization. There are always factions. Though our goals are somewhat similar ( I wouldn’t agree it is same) the methods and principles vary and hence these factions stand apart and are unable to come together. But if at all, a merger is to take place, it has to be natural and in the larger interest of the cadre and not to compromise or satisfy either factions. In nature it is only natural that streams join with river and becomes a (larger) river and rivers join the ocean and become the ocean. Never does ocean become rivers and river into stream.
It is upto IRTSA to decide on any change in its constitution if at all required in future by collective decision of its members. No faction shall maintain any separate identity. This opinion is not born out of my bias towards IRTSA being a staunch member, but out of pride that IRTSA is a proven and time-tested organization with high success rate. Hence there is no need to change, alter or compromise its philosophy in any manner whatsoever and for any reason.
As far as the change in name, there is absolutely no reason to change the name. As Shakespeare said, “A rose would smell the same even if it had to be called otherwise”. There is nothing in the name and showing so much importance to change the name is sheer foolishness. IRTSA is a established name and is in the lips and minds of all including the Top officials, Federations and the employees. It is only under this name that we achieved so many demands including our designation change. Just because we are called Engineers does not mean we should immediately change our name. Just because one is educated and has become modern, he should not try to change his mother’s name who may have hailed from the village and carry a rustic name. A mother is a mother and such should be the attitude and gratitude every engineer should show towards our association. Unless we instill in us such reverence in our hearts for this glorious organization which has stood like a shield to our cadre and has brought us so much progress, we are failing in our duty to respect the sacrifices of our great leaders who have given their lives to see us at this level.
Let us be torch bearers of our philosophy and principles - And not just label bearers.
Long Live IRTSA !!!
Nirmal Chandran
1