HOMAGE TO COM. B. G. TAMHANKAR
Com. B. G. Tamhankar breathed his last on 17.05.2015. He was only 69. He was under treatment and admitted to BalaJi Hospital, Byculla, Mumbai, where the sudden an unexpected demise took place.
I had a very long association with TamhankarJi. He was Circle Secretary, Maharashtra Circle for about 12 years and I was Circle Secretary, Kerala Circle for about 22 years. Both of us used to meet at the Circle Working Committee meetings and All India conferences of All India Postal Employees Union Group ‘C’ and NFPE. Both of us were All India Presidents of AIPEU Group ‘C’ (CHQ) and Chief Executives of NFPE & P3.
Before TamhankarJi taking over charge as Circle Secretary of Maharashtra Circle, functioning of circle was not in proper order. Even though Maharashtra is the biggest circle, it could not play its lead role in the All India organizational affairs. TamhankarJi concentrated mainly in building up the P3 organisation in Maharashtra. He took up each and every divisional level issue with the administration through correspondence and also through formal and informal meetings. He maintained constant contact with the branch/divisional leaders and communicated the progress made in settlement of issues through the monthly journal “Maharashtra Post”.
Along with improving the organizational functioning he ensured that each and every branch/division of Maharashtra Circle remitted full Quota to the CHQ & NFPE. Thus Maharashtra became an important factor in decision making process of All India Union, which ultimately led to his election as the All India President of AIPEU Group ‘C’ and NFPE.
I had an intimate and excellent personal relationship with TamhankarJi. At the same time we had bitter differences on many issues confronting the organisation. Some issues were organizational and some were ideological. At times we were leading two different camps in the organisation which sometimes led to contest in the election of office bearers in the All India Conferences. But my intimacy and respect towards TamhankarJi has nothing to do with these differences. He was just like an elder brother to me.
He was an encyclopedia in the rulings relating to Post office Savings Bank and Certificates. He published books on SB rulings which were recommended even by officers as reference books. He was an RTI activist on matters relating to Postal Department. He collected many valuable information through RTI and unearthed many lapses and corruption on the part of the top level administration.
There is no comparison between TamhankarJi and any other leader of Postal Trade Union movement. B. G. Tamhankar is B. G. Tamhankar and he will always remain in our memory as such. His contribution to Postal employees and Postal Trade union movements will be remembered forever.
Long live Tamhankar Ji
Long live! Long live!
(M. Krishnan)
Ex-General Secretary
AIPEU Group ‘C’ (CHQ)
