AIBOC CIRCULAR NO. 95 DATED 30TH DECEMBER 2009

AIBOC issued its circular No. 95 on Com. Tekkare Ramchanra Bhat, Chairman, Corporation Bank Officers' Organisation. We are reproducing the same here.

CIRCULAR NO. 95                     30^TH December, 2009 

TO ALL AFFILIATES/MEMBERS: 

HEART TOUCHING ADIEU TO COM. TEKKARE RAMCHANDRA BHAT, CHAIRMAN, CORPORATION BANK OFFICERS’ ORGANISATION 

           A heart touching and emotional farewell meeting was organised by the Corporation Bank Officers’ Organisation on the occasion of retirement of their beloved leader Com.T.R. Bhat, Chairman, Corporation Bank Officers’ Organisation on 27^th December, 2009 at Sri. Gokarnanatheshwara  Convention Hall, Kudroli Mangalore.  The hall was jam packed with the members of Corporation Bank Officers’ Organisation, leaders from AIBOC affiliates, office bearers of retired Officers’ Association, well wishers, press and media representatives, well before commencement of the programme.  The Corporation Bank Officers’ Organisation known for punctuality, discipline commenced the programme on time at 10:00 a.m sharp, with invocation by Com. Raghavendra, followed by Welcome address by Com. D.N.Prakash, President of Corporation Bank Officers’ Organisation.  In his address, he also presented a  brief biodata of Com. Bhat  and shared  his experience with him in the organisation. 

2.       Com. G.D.Nadaf, General Secretary, AIBOC/AISBOF was the Chief Guest.  In his felicitation address, showered praise on Com. Bhat’s contribution to the Bank Officers’ movement in general and Corporation Bank Officers’ Organisation in particular. Com. Bhat was held in high esteem by the bank officers’ fraternity.  His advices and suggestions to improve the image of bank officers’ movement and concern for the society are worthy of emulation.  But for his whole hearted support to the Confederation in publishing a document on “Report of the Independent Commission on Banking & Financial Policy,” it would not have been possible to complete the stupendous task within the given time frame. His deliberations in the Confederation meetings were educative and brain storming. His deliberations had a touch of scholarship, depth of the subject and indicated his intellectual capabilities. It was always a delight to listen to his speeches which contained a fund of information. He never aspired for coveted positions in the organisation and supported the activities with Hisfull force at his command.  His articles  in the house magazine of Corporation Bank Officers’ Organisation  “Officers’ Voice” and of AIBOC, “Common Bond” are worth  preserving.  He had a broad vision on the activities and always kept in mind the social obligation of trade unions in the Banking  Industry. 

3.       In the  rich traditions of the  Confederation and Corporation Bank Officers’ Organisation, he is laying down his office as Chairman of CBOO  on his  superannuation from the service of Corporation  Bank.  He has created second line of leadership in Corporation Bank Officers’ Organisation, as a true leader.  But the void that would be created  on account of his absence from the main activities cannot be filled up easily and will be felt for a long time to come.   The selfless sacrifice of his better half and family members in facilitating  Com. Bhat to involve in the organizational activities without any qualms  deserves to be appreciated by each one of us, said Com. Nadaf in his address and also wished Com. Bhat,  good health, peace, prosperity, contented and active retired life.  He wished his family members also a peaceful and healthy life.  On the occasion, he felicitated Com. Bhat, with a Shawl and a bouquet and invited him for the next E.C meeting of the Confederation to accept  felicitations from the leaders of the industry. 

4.       Sri. K.R.Ramamurthy, former Chairman of Corporation Bank was the guest of honour.  In his address, he recalled his association with Com. Bhat and highlighted  his varied  interests.  He exclaimed that the name of Com. Bhat is synonymous with Corporation Bank Officers’ Organisation, amidst thunderous applause.  He described him as a voracious reader and he made continuous attempts to update his  knowledge.  He may be retiring but his contributions will remain forever in the hearts of his colleagues. He said that, though Com. Bhat is soft spoken,  when it comes to protection of the interests of the members he used to be very tough and  firm.  His memory, simplicity and concern for the membership have made him as a darling of Corporation Bank Officers’ Organisation.  He wished him all success in his endeavours and recollected the sacrifices made by his family members for the sake of service to the society. 

5.       Com. B.S.Ravindra, Secretary, Karnataka State Unit of AIBOC, acknowledged the support Com. Bhat  extended to the State Unit activities.  Com. Satyanarayan, Secretary Dist. Unit of AIBOC, N.P.Bhat, General Secretary of Corporation Bank Retired Officers’ Association, Acchut Pai, former President of Corporation Bank Officers’ Organisation, Com. A.S. Bhat Regional   Secretary, Canara Bank  Officers’ Association, Mrs. Sumathi Bhat, Wife of Com. T.R.Bhat, Venugopal former General Secretary of Corporation Bank Officers’ Organisation, Gourang Das  Vice-president CBOO, Suvarna, E.C member of Corporation Bank Officers’ Organisation, Prakash Rao, Keshav Rao and other leaders from AIBOC affiliates spoke on the occasion. 

6.       Com. Kaushik Ghosh, General Secretary CBOO while presenting a detailed biodata of Com. Bhat, said that the  first strike by Corporation Bank Officers’ Organisation on 27^th December, 1968 has further strengthened the Officers’ Movement in Corporation Bank.  In the leadership of Com. Bhat, Corporation Bank Officers’ Organisation was successful in negotiating a pragmatic Promotion Policy, a congenial  Transfer Policy after recognition of Corporation Bank Officers’ Organisation from 1984 onwards.  Com. Bhat is like the high command in Corporation Bank Officers’ Organisation, but at the same time simple, humble and unmatched leader.  He wished Com. Bhat and his family all the best in future. 

7.       Com. T.R.Bhat, in his response, went down the memory lane and  recollected his  school days, earlier service in colleges as Professor, IFC as Assistant, Staff collage of Union Bank of India as faculty  and his experiences as Chairman, President and  General Secretary of Corporation Bank Officers’ Organisation. He told  that, there are many challenges before the Trade Unions and it is imperative  to involve the members  in the organisational  activities. It is only through whole hearted involvement of the members in all the activities of the organization, we can build a strong and vibrant organization, where the trade union rights of the members are defended and  members’ self respect and dignity is upheld, their welfare is taken care, so that every member will be in  a position to discharge his duties without fear by holding his head high. Sustained interest  in the organizational activities, continuous efforts to protect the interests of the workforce should be high on our agenda.  He advocated for upholding the professional ethics to excel, compete with honesty and integrity to instill confidence in the cadre.  He paid his rich tributes to all those who have helped him in his life, in his career as a trade unionist in the Bank,   including the founder of the Corporation Bank, Haji Abdulla and especially Com.Gaurang Das whom Com. Bhat always treated as his friend, philosopher and guide throughout  his trade union career. 

8.       Com. Bhat was felicitated by Corporation Bank Officers’ Organisation with a  shawl, a  bouquet, mementos and citation in praise of his service to the Organisation.  Com. G Raghunandan, Treasurer of Corporation Bank Officers’ Organisation proposed vote of thanks.  Entire programme was compered by Com. Ekanath  Baliga  Dy. General Secretary CBOO in an exemplary manner. 

9.       The entire gathering acknowledged the services of Com. Bhat by giving him a  standing ovation. With the retirement of Com. Bhat, an era in Corporation Bank Officers’ Organisation has come to an end.  But the  show must go on.  We are confidant that, the  leaders of Corporation Bank Officers’ Organisation will strive hard to uphold the glory  of the Organisation and fill the void  by adhering to the noble thoughts, unwavering commitment to the cause of officers’ fraternity and approach of inclusive relationship with AIBOC and affiliates of AIBOC, very close  to the heart of Com. Bhat. We once again wish Com. Bhat and his family a contented life, filled  with health, happiness and joy all the way. 

With warm greetings,
Sd/-
(G.D. NADAF)
GENERAL SECRETARY