The Hindu

Mangalore, Dec 31: A resounding applause rent the air as a participant at the "Senior Citizens' Day" celebrations, organised by the Dakshina Kannada Postal and Telecommunication Pensioners' Association here on Sunday said: "Let us not call any guests from outside the association for our next meet."

The hundred-odd retired employees of the Department of Post & Telegraph had invited T.N. Sudhindra Kumar, Principal General Manager of Dakshina Kannada Telecom District and M. Jagadeesh Pai, Senior Superintendent of Post Offices, Mangalore Division, as chief guests, for the function. The participants, including some people who had travelled from as far as Sullia and Puttur, were annoyed as they waited for almost two hours for the guests. While Mr. Jagadeesh Pai did not even tell the organisers of his inability to be present, Mr. Sudhindra Kumar informed them about half-an-hour after the scheduled start of the event. One participant said: "Is this not indicative of how we are treated? Forgotten, sidelined and silenced."

M.A Naik, president of the association, a retired Senior Superintendent of Post Offices, said: "We did not invite them because we want to air our grievances. Most of us have served with these officials. An opportunity to meet again and share a few light moments."

Mr. Jagadeesh Pai told The Hindu that he could not attend the event because of personal commitments. Mr. Sudhindra Kumar was not available for comment.

Mr. Naik said that there were several issues of concern facing the association and its members. "However, the representatives of the association got a cold response from the officials Postal or Telecom departments," he alleged. According to M.A Venkatachalam, secretary of the association, dearness allowance arrears for retired staff had been pending for many years. Another issue of concern raised was the alleged disparity in medical allowances between pensioners of Post and Telecom departments and other Central government departments.

Notwithstanding the absence of chief guests, the people gave an affectionate hug to their old colleagues and spoke voluntarily.