COM. DES RAJ
SHARMA – THE UNCOMPROMISING FIGHTER
M. Krishnan. Ex-Secretary General, NFPE
Secretary General, Confederation of Central Govt. Employees & Workers
On 24th September I
was at Chennai, on the way to Gudur (AP) to attend the Circle Conference of
AIPEU Postmen & MTS Union. At about 09.25 PM, Com. R. Seethalakshmi,
General Secretary, P-IV union called me and informed – “Com. Des Raj Sharma
passed away.” After a few minutes Com. V. A. N. Namboodri also called. On the
previous day, i.e., on 23.09.2016, at 11.30 AM myself and Com. Seethalakshmi
had visited Com. Des Raj Sharma at his house at Karol Bagh, New Delhi and was
with him for about 2 hours. He had a heart attack and had undergone angioplasty
surgery for removal of five blocks. He was recovering fast. He discussed with
us about Com. Adi and his association with many great leaders of P&T Trade
union movement. He recollected his experiences while he was in the movement and
also after his retirement. As he was continuously talking, I asked his wife who
was sitting near, whether doctor has advised to restrict talking. His wife told
no such restriction. When we were about to leave, both of us told him to take
care of his health as per the advice of the doctor. Then Com. Des Raj Sharma
smilingly made a comment – “Don’t worry about my health. Doctor has given me
another five years guarantee. Now I am seventy one”. But while completing the
sentence his sound was shaken and eyes were full of tears. May be, he was aware
that death is nearing. We tried to console him and wished him long life. Next day
when the sad news came I was really shocked.
Com. Desraj Sharma was a symbol
of dedication, commitment and an uncompromising fighter. He truly represented the
tradition of Postmen, Group D & ED staff union lead by Com. Adi. He worked
as a CHQ office bearer under the dynamic leadership of the legendary leader
Com. K. Adinarayana for a long time. He stood firmly with Com. Adi during the periods
of trials and tribulations. It is Com. Adi who moulded Com. Desraj Sharma as a
leader.
Com. Desraj Sharma never
compromised with the enemies of NFPE and sometimes openly burst out against
those who want to break the unity of NFPE. In the Kolkata Federal Council, it
is the P-IV union which saved NFPE from a split and also helped NFPE to get
recognition. He succeeded in vacating all the stay orders against conducting
the Federal Council and also ensured rock-like unity among the P-IV Federal Councilors.
He was outright and never say one thing and act another. The enemies of NFPE were
afraid of Com. Desraj Sharma and they turned their guns against him always
After his taking over as the
General Secretary of P-IV union, he concentrated in streamlining the organisational
functioning of the union and helped the Branch/Divisional and Circle Unions to
overcome their weaknesses. He effectively intervened and settled all the organizational
disputes existed in many circles and consolidated the organizational unity and
militancy of P-IV union. He championed the cause of not only Postmen and
Group-D but his service was fully dedicated to the cause of GDS employees and
for their emancipation. As Deputy Secretary General of NFPE he fought for
safeguarding the unity of NFPE and also for settling the genuine demands of the
entire Postal employees. He was also in the forefront of all activities of
Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers. In the
negotiations with the administration he never compromised and was very
particular about result-oriented settlement.
Com. Desraj Sharma cannot be
compared with any other leader of Postal Trade union movement. “Desraj Sharma is
Desraj Sharma”. He will remain forever in the minds of the Postal employees and
Central Government employees.
Long Live Com.
Desraj Sharma!
Long live,
Long live!
