AIBOC CIRCULAR NO. 159 DATED 15TH DECEMBER 2010

AIBOC issued its circular No. 159 dated 15^th December 2010 on Centenary Programme of NATURE. We are reproducing the same here for our readers.

CIRCULAR NO: 159                         15^TH DECEMBER, 2010

TO ALL AFFILIATES/MEMBERS:

CENTENARY PROGRAMME OF NATURE CONCLUDED

VALEDICTORY PROGRAMME- A MEMORABLE ONE

“FIRST BE A HUMAN BEING MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE.  DEVELOP CHARACTER AND PROTECT THE INDIAN DEMOCRACY”

- HON’BLE JUSTICE N. SANTOSH HEGDE, THE LOKAYUKTA OF KARNATAKA

“LET US COLLABORATE, CO-OPERATE AND MOVE FORWARD TO ERADICATE POVERTY “ - SHRI.O.P.BHATT, CHAIRMAN, STATE BANK OF INDIA

We reproduce hereunder the text of AISBOF Circular No.119 dated 14^th December 2010, contents of which are self-explicit.

TEXT

It was a joyous moment for over 1,000 members, who had assembled in the State Bank of India Bangalore Branch Auditorium as well as outside, which had facilities of audio and video, for watching the Valedictory Function of the historic 100^th Programme of NATURE on 13/12/2010 at 5.00 p.m. The auditorium was beautifully decorated for the “Centenary Programme” and was jam packed with enthusiastic participants, leaders, activists, senior executives of the bank, pensioners and comrades from other banks and members of affiliates of AISBOF and AIBOC, who had come from all parts of the country, in order to be present on the auspicious occasion. This unique event shall be recorded in golden letters in the history of the “Bank Officers’ Movement” in the country. The two days “National Workshop on Discipline and Vigilance Administration in Public Sector Banks”, has achieved the mile stone as the 100th programme, capping a string of workshops and programmes  conducted during last 2 decades since its establishment, as a wing of All India State Bank Officers’ Federation.

The Programme commenced with the compeering of the proceedings by Com. Y. Sudarshan, Dy.General Secretary, SBIOA(K) and also the Secretary of the All India State Bank Officers’ Federation, who with a wonderful brief  introduction invited all the dignitaries on the dais, which included Justice Shri.N. Santosh Hegde, the Hon’ble Lokayuktha of Karnataka, Shri.O.P.Bhatt, Chairman, State Bank of India and IBA, Smt. Arundhati Bhattcharya, DMD & CDO, Com.T.N.Goel, President, Com.G.D.Nadaf, General Secretary of the Federation, Com.Ganesh Mishra, Com.Sakti Haldar, Com.G.Muthuswamy, Com. B.S.Ravindra, the senior Office-bearers of the Federation, Com. Prakash Gangal, Secretary of AISBISF, Com. P.K. Sarkar, President AIBOC, Com.R.N.Godbole, the former General Secretary of AISBOF and AIBOC and also the Veteran Trade Union Leader of Bank Officers’ Movement.

When Com.G.D.Nadaf, the General Secretary, AISBOF & AIBOC, stood up for the welcome and introductory address with his inimitable style, there was a thunderous applause all over the auditorium electrifying the environment and heralding the beginning of an inspirational occasion. He explained in detail the qualities of Justice N. Santosh Hegde, Lokayukta of Karnataka and his contributions to the various fields, in particular, his effort to weed out corruption in public life.  He also gave a detailed account of his fearlessness, humane nature and above all the commitment to protect the values in public life.  The audience heard with rapt attention, the details about the great contribution made by the Hon’ble Justice Santosh Hegde, and also the crusade he has been carrying forward to cleanse the public life and to restore the confidence of the people in the Indian administration. He also gave brief account of activities of the AISBOF and the NATURE towards social welfare of the society.  He reaffirmed that we are for eradicating corruption in the society.

Referring to Shri.O.P.Bhatt, the Chairman of SBI and IBA, another Guest of Honour, Com. Nadaf gave a detailed account of his contributions to the banking industry and for his achievements in taking State Bank of India to global level and registering our presence as a premier banking institution in the country and in the international banking arena.  He listed out a number of awards and honours that the Chairman received for his excellent performance both at the individual level as well as on behalf of the bank during the last couple of years.  He also highlighted his campaign for regaining the legitimate market share of the Bank during the recent past, as well as his initiative in introducing “PARIVARTAN” programme in the Bank.

He also extended a warm welcome to Smt.Arundhathi Bhattacharya, DMD and CDO (Designate) for her august presence and for providing all necessary support and co-operation for the successful conduct of the 100^th programme.  He also gave a brief account of her contributions to State Bank of India in various capacities. He expressed that, with her elevation as Dy.Managing Director and CDO, the Federation could expect a lot of support from her.

It was a touching moment when, Com.R.N.Godbole and Com. Shantha Raju, the legendary figures, who have rendered yeomen services to the trade union movement in the banking industry, as General Secretaries of AISBOF and AIBOC, was called to the dais for being honoured. Their contribution in making “NATURE” a vibrant trade union academy for imparting knowledge in Trade Union research and education to thousands and thousands of leaders, including extension of Defense Assistance to the charge-sheeted officials in the banks is invaluable.  The NATURE was established during the period of Com. Godbole and subsequently Com. Shantharaju nourished it. Hon’ble Justice Shri.N. Santosh Hegde, Lokayukta and Shri.O.P.Bhatt, the Chairman of State Bank of India felicitated both of them assisted by the entire leadership of the Federation, Confederation and also the SBIOA(K) as a token of their love and affection to these stalwarts of our movement.

It was now the occasion for the audience to listen to Hon’ble Justice N. Santosh Hegde, a house hold name from the State of Karnataka. He released the special issue of “Domestic Enquiry”, one of the many publications of the federations.  There after, as he rose to speak, the entire audience and the press applauded in total appreciation of this great fighter. He expressed happiness over the activities that are being taken up by the Federation and appreciated its initiative in organising a good programme, which is meant to create awareness amongst the society about the ills of corruption. He elaborately dealt with the code of conduct expected of a Public Servant as pronounced by the various courts from time to time and hoped that the same would be followed by the bankers as well, since they deal in public money and are supposed to maintain the trust and faith of the people in the banking institution.  He also referred to the efforts of our forefathers in bringing out one of the best written Constitutions for our country and the pride with which each one of us should preserve the sanctity of the same.  He deplored the deteriorating value system in public life and corruption which has all-pervasive in the society. He appealed to the gathering that it is the duty of each and every individual to fight against corruption and eradicate this cancerous disease from the society, if the country has to achieve freedom from hunger and poverty.

He was highly emotional when he detailed about the value system that is to be restored in the society.  He was of the firm opinion that the present youth should be told about our traditional values and that they have to be prepared to face massive corruption, which is prevailing in the country.  He said that “Be anything, but you first become a human being” and exhibit human kindness to the poor, underprivileged in the society.  That will be the greatest contribution one can make to his society/country.  When he completed his address there was a standing ovation as an expression of deep sentiment and respect towards the, sincerity and depth in his speech, which touched the hearts of each and every one present in the meeting.

Shri.O.P.Bhatt, Chairman of State Bank of India commenced his speech with slogans “State Bank of India, Zindabad, Zindabad” “ SBI  Citizen, Zindabad, Zindabad”, which was responded with a thunderous, full throated slogans all over the auditorium and enlivened the hearts of each and every one present in the hall.  He took pains to bring out the details of the Trade Union history and linked our Federations (AISBOF & AISBISF) to the independent union movement that was founded by the moderators in the country during the freedom struggle. He also appreciated the constructive role played by both the Federations, which are always in readiness to understand and appreciate the conflicts and to co-operate in resolving the same. The relationship of co-operation, collaboration and constructive approach has been the hallmark of the industrial relationship in State Bank, he declared amidst thunderous applause.  He also appreciated the co-operation of the employees in absorbing the programme on “Parivartan”, “the SBI Citizen” and “UDAAN” which were organized by the bank with a view to bring a new outlook in our work atmosphere and approach to the working in the bank.  He further said that through our efforts, we can eradicate poverty from the country and the entire workforce should join together in this campaign.

Com. T. N. Goel, President, in his presidential address, reiterated our demand on exclusive Banking Tribunal for bank officers for speedy disposal of cases. He profusely thanked the guests for gracing the occasion, which has enhanced the image of the Federation.

The beautiful programme came to an end with Vote of Thanks by Com. Ganesh Mishra, the Senior Vice President of the Federation in his inimitable style.  The entire audience stood up and gave a thunderous clapping. The programme ended with National Anthem.

Comrades, it was a memorable experience to all the participants, the leaders of the affiliates of the Federation and the Confederation. All were satisfied with the outcome and success of the Centenary Programme of the NATURE. It is yet another milestone and perhaps beginning of the first step for the next journey to take it to further heights in the days to come.  We compliment all our affiliates of AISBOF and AIBOC for sponsoring participants for all the programmes of the NATURE including Centenary Programme held on 12^th and 13^th December, 2010 at Bangalore. More than 250 participants from affiliates of AIBOC attended two days programme. We also thank the management of State Bank of India for their support to the 100^th programme.  We thank Com. B. S. Ravindra, President, Com. G. Muthuswamy, General Secretary, SBIOA(K) and all other office bearers and members for supporting the NATURE’s activities and also making the centenary programme as an memorable event.

With warm greetings,

Sd/-

(G.D. NADAF)

GENERAL SECRETARY