While appreciating the on ongoing efforts for unity I may add that first of all those who are really interested in the merger should strongly advocate for it in their own Association / Federation. Negative expressions by any side will only jeopardize the very basic aim of unity, which was initiated by IRTSA leadership and well received by the leadership of AIREF.
IRTSA exists in the heart of large numbers of Rail Engineers all over Indian Railways and is well-known for its positive approach by the administration. Its seasoned leadership never encouraged any negative attitude by its members towards anybody. It is not merging a name in to another name; it is integration of hearts of the members of two institutions.

The second generation of IRTSA is being guided in the right path by the legendry leaders like Er M. Shanmugam, Er Harchandan Singh etc.
For nearly 44 years IRTSA (for me it is 18 years since my joining in Railway Service) is the way of life for many Rail Engineers, ever one will accept that nothing can exists for 44 years with out any aims and objectives. But it is really paining to read some of the comments by my fellow Engineer.

Here I would like bring to the kind notice that, when the then designation of Shop.Supt. was changed as JE and the designation of Chargeman B & A were left unaltered, it is only IRTSA which fought vehemently to get the designation of JE, SE and SSE to restore the pride.

Change of name is being considered by IRTSA for some time even before the merger proposal (It had infact been pended - awaiting the merger in order to change it after it to avoid duplication of effort for the same and to do it with broad consensus) . One must understand that IRTSA is very open in change of name.

We should not confuse ourselves on the issue of Recogniton by comparing it with CPWD and Recognition of Engineers Association. Total strength of CPWD is around 44,000 - half of it are work charge posts. 15 Associations and unions are recognized in CPWD, out of which seven are Engineers Association which are listed below.

98% of the JEs in CPWD are directly recruited; where as in Railways 50% of the JEs are drawn from cadre, who are have long association with recognized Federations.
By simply forming one federation we can not get recognition. Recognition is a complex issue, which should be approached in practical term and it may be time consuming.

Associations/Unions Recognized in CPWD

1. Central Engineering Services (Class I) Direct Recruits Association.
2. Central Engineering Services (Class II) Direct Recruits Association.
3. Central P.W.D. Engineers Association.
4. Central P.W.D. Junior Engineers Association (India) New Delhi (with branches at Bombay, Calcutta, Madras and Guwahati).
5. The Graduate Junior Engineers’ Association.
6. The AMIE Junior Engineers’ Association.
7. Central P.W.D. Engineering & Drawing Staff Association.
8. Central PWD Staff Association (Eastern Zone).
9. Central PWD Non-Gazetted Staff Association.
10. Central PWD Class IV Association (Eastern Zone).
11. CPWD Architects’ Association, Nirman Bhawan.
12. All India CPWD Sch.Caste/Tribes Association.
13. Central PWD Workers Union.
14. Central PWD Mazdoor Union.
15. All India CPWD Employees’ Union.

In Railways Recognized federations are representing nearly 160 categories with varied duties and responsibilities. Just like Railway administration they require federal structure. Basically recognition is one of the key factors that keep them intact.
For Technical Supervisors/Rail Engineers Association it is all about representing one category, which may not necessarily, require federal system. Sometime federal system can become feeble if there is any serious difference of opinion, particularly when we are unrecognized, but at the same time I agree that some time federal system can produce good results at Zonal levels.

Unity cannot happen overnight, it is a long process and everyone should give their ideas to their respective General Secretaries and constrain themselves in criticizing others. It will be better for two General Secretaries to discuss and settle things.

Website of IRTSA has been developed with great pain to highlight the issues of Rail Engineers/Technical Supervisors. Engineers are allowed to participate in the discussion forum to bring new ideas, suggestions, improvements etc. If it is used for that purpose, it will bring good results.

Regards
Long Live IRTSA, Engineers Unity Zindabad

K.V.Ramesh
ACT/IRTSA

(04-22-2009 09:44 PM)sundar Wrote:  Dear Administrator,

The discussion about merger of IRTSA and AIREF is discussed in this forum continuously. I as a member of IRTSA since 1989 do not know about the other federation in the discussion -(AIREF). Not only that the associations affliated with AIREF. Moreover any other federations are associations functioning in railways exclusively for RAIL ENGINEERS. In southern region we follow the only and one association ie. IRTSA. Let us first introduce the profile of AIREF and other associations. So that we can also participate in the debate.

>b>Let us be torch bearers of Our philosophy and principles of IRTSA

Comments Er Nirmal Chandran on the subject of Unity Received by Email dated 17.7.2009

From Nirmal Chandran, Org. Secretary, CEC IRTSA to GS IRTSA

Sir,

With all due respects, I am sending (herewith) my comments (on the subject of Unity) for your kind attention.

Whereas, IRTSA and its leadership have shown great depth in purpose. It has stood tall and strong for the past 45 years. Our constitution was so well structured, that it has nurtured great leadership and it has guided and channelised the spirit of the members to fight for the legitimate rights in the right manner and at the right place and has achieved several progressive demands. Over the years, it has built a strong and healthy relationship with the Ministry, Railway board and both the Federations. It has earned respect from all quarters.

In my opinion, merger is welcome and is ideally speaking too good for the cadre, but it does not always work that way as we practically see in any organization. There are always factions. Though our goals are somewhat similar ( I wouldn’t agree it is same) the methods and principles vary and hence these factions stand apart and are unable to come together. But if at all, a merger is to take place, it has to be natural and in the larger interest of the cadre and not to compromise or satisfy either factions. In nature it is only natural that streams join with river and becomes a (larger) river and rivers join the ocean and become the ocean. Never does ocean become rivers and river into stream.

It is up to IRTSA to decide on any change in its constitution if at all required in future by collective decision of its members. No faction shall maintain any separate identity. This opinion is not born out of my bias towards IRTSA being a staunch member, but out of pride that IRTSA is a proven and time-tested organization with high success rate. Hence there is no need to change, alter or compromise its philosophy in any manner whatsoever and for any reason.

As far as the change in name, there is absolutely no reason to change the name. As Shakespeare said, “A rose would smell the same even if it had to be called otherwise”. There is nothing in the name and showing so much importance to change the name is sheer foolishness. IRTSA is a established name and is in the lips and minds of all including the Top officials, Federations and the employees. It is only under this name that we achieved so many demands including our designation change. Just because we are called Engineers does not mean we should immediately change our name. Just because one is educated and has become modern, he should not try to change his mother’s name who may have hailed from the village and carry a rustic name. A mother is a mother and such should be the attitude and gratitude every engineer should show towards our association. Unless we instill in us such reverence in our hearts for this glorious organization which has stood like a shield to our cadre and has brought us so much progress, we are failing in our duty to respect the sacrifices of our great leaders who have given their lives to see us at this level.

Let us be torch bearers of our philosophy and principles - And not just label bearers.

Long Live IRTSA !!!
Nirmal Chandran