It was on 17th January 2008 I met George Fernandes in the Government Guest house at Bangalore where I had breakfast with him and thereafter had a friendly chatting in spite of his ill health before going to the Abhinandan Sammelan organized by his friends in the Town Hall when he turned 77 years. I was a speaker in the public function organized by his friends along with Shri. L. K. Advani, former Deputy Prime Minister, Former Chief Justice of Supreme Court Justice M.N. Venkitachaliah and others. This meeting was inaugurated by Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people. George Fernandes after the breakfast could not walk and he leaned to my shoulders and with my help got down from the 1st floor of the guest house and entered in to the car along with me in the same seat and went to the meeting. He showed his brotherly affection towards me at that time.
I had an association of more than 40 years with him. To me he was a guide, philosopher and a friend. My close association starts with him in 1965 when the Praja Socialist Party in Kerala decided to remain in SSP under the leadership of comrade S. M. Joshy, George Fernandes, Madhu Limaye and others. This was a deviation from the decision of Madhu Dandavate, Prem Bhasin, Surendra Mohan, H.V. Kamath and others.
I had joined the socialist movement as a student. My attraction was towards Dr. Lohya and my socialist convictions were built up through the literature, mankind, Gandhi Marx socialism, Wheel of history, caste system etc. But PSP being the majority group of the socialist in Kerala and my colleagues where in PSP my earlier association was with them. George became the most remarkable personality in the socialist movement when he defeated S.K. Patil in Loksabha Election 1967 in Bombay. During that general election I was a candidate to the Kerala Assembly on SSP ticket from Paravoor constituency. All the 20 candidates of SSP won in the election except me and another person. However my association with George increased as I am working in the trade unions and I used to be his translator of his speeches in public meetings in Kerala. I moved with him in all over Kerala during his visits and I had also association with him all over India. With the Kerala socialists decided to ally with HMP withdrawing from the HMS I was elected as one of the National Secretaries of HMP. There after HMP merged with HMS in 1979 when Sri. Venkitaram was elected as the President of HMS and I was elected to the working committee and thereafter as a National Secretary of HMS. George decided to revive his own trade union HMKP but I did not join and I remained in HMS. Later I have to take up the responsibility of HMS for 3 consecutive terms as its President. In spite HMS and HMKP I had very good personal relationship with George Fernandes. While George was having no position I used to meet him in the outskirts of Delhi in Hauz Khas in his residence.
George led the struggle of the railway workers in 1974. I was actively involved with the railway unions. His election as the President of AIRF was through SRMU the union of the southern Railway workers. I was actively involved in their organisational activities. My arrest and detention during emergency for 18 months was on the ground that I am a close associate of George Fernandes.
While he was the Minister of Industries in 1978 I had occasion to lead a strike in Apollo Tyres in Kerala. The management of the Apollo Tyres locked out the factory to defeat the workers struggle. Then George was the Industries Minister. I contacted him over phone. He asked me how he to help the workers. I advised him to take over Apollo tyres in public interest under the Regulation of Industries Act. He directed his office to take steps immediately. Steps were taken and notification was published. Management went to the Court, obtained a stay but they had to concede the demands of the workers and to withdraw the lock out.
Another occasion I had to seek the help of George Fernandes was connected with the Cochin Shipyard. I was the leader of the Cochin Shipyard workers. The Vajpayee Government, where George was the Defence Minister decided to privatize Cochin shipyard. We went to Delhi to meet George. George was not there. When he was informed that I am in Delhi to meet him he returned from the North east. After meeting me and hearing the case he went to the Prime Minister and got withdrawn the decision of the cabinet inspite of all opposition from Mr. Goyal the then shipping Minister.
I had occasion to travel with him and speak in public meetings in Mumbai, Goa and Delhi during election meetings. On or before emergency he wanted me to speak in the Constitutional Club New Delhi to support Kishta Goud Bhoomaiah Movement to save them from hanging.
Though I had reservation in allying with George in his political activities along with BJP and also in the formation of HMKP, I continued my personal contacts and intimacy with him throughout. People say I became a public speaker of eminence on following his foot prints.
George was a very good administrator. One of my cousin Dr. K.T. Thomas the Director of Baba Atomic Energy now retired from NASA have told me that his efficiency and commitment is remarkable which he found in executing the nuclear contract with Libya.
The contact of George Fernandes in the international affairs was very strong. Yahudapaz of ISTRADDOT of Israel told me this. I had also occasion to spend time with George Ferenandes in Geneva in the house of Shri. N. Nainan Koshy. Dr. M. M. Thomas was one of his best friend. On his request Dr. M. M. Thomas after his retirement from world Christian Council accepted the Governorship of North East.
Though George is a vegetable he is inspiring all the socialist and trade union leaders all over India always.