Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (DV)
Mangaluru, May 6: Richard Moras, convener of Konkan Lekhak Sangh, Karnataka on Friday May 6 urged the state government and the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) to name the main road from Kadri Park to Lalbagh after George Fernandes.
Addressing a press meet at the press club here, Richard Moras said, “We are thankful to the central government and the Prime Minister for conferring ‘Padma Vibhushan’ on him posthumously for his monolithic achievements as national leader. There is a saying that great leaders are not rightly honoured in their native place. But let it not happen in the case of George Fernandes who was born in Bejai, Mangaluru and extended his scope of work to the whole of India.”
He also informed that a delegation will visit the MCC urging the city corporation to name the Kadri Park to Lalbagh road in the name of George Fernandes in the coming days.
Titus Noronha, Konkani poet and activist, Divakar K, former mayor of MCC, Ronald Gomes, former district governor, Lions Club International, and William Pais, author and columnist were present.
About George Fernandes
George Fernandes was born on June 3, 1930 in Bejai, Mangaluru as the eldest son of six children of John Joseph Fernandes & Alice Martha Fernandes. He rose to prominence as a household name in India for his dedicated and committed service to downtrodden poor and weaker sections of society. Influenced by socialist ideology he moved to Mumbai and emerged as a trade union leader. His mission to organize unions for workers, and to address their problems and grievances as a leader and mentor is exemplary. He served as a member of Bombay Municipal Corporation from 1961 to 1968.
George was a hero for the poor masses, vehemently fought for their rights, leading protests and shutdowns for which he was jailed many times. In 1974, he called the strike of 1.4 million railway workers and brought the service to a halt in whole of India which no other union leader has done. Social welfare of all was the criterion and he consistently fought for it with unwavering credibility.
From 1967 to 2004 he has won 9 Lok Sabha elections which depict his immense popularity as a national leader of repute. He despised corruption & nepotism, dynasty, dictatorial acts and communalism of any kind. He fought against the draconian emergency reflecting dictatorship which has left indelible stains on the walls of the Indian parliament.
George Fernandes held prominent positions in the Union cabinet as Minister of communications, Industry, Railways & Defence and judiciously handled the responsibilities with integrity. As Industry minister in Prime Minister Morarji Desai cabinet, he forced Coca Cola and IBM out of India which is characteristic of his nationalism and patriotism.
He is the architect of Konkan Railway which is the second-largest railway network in Asia. The grit, determination and visionary zeal in planning and executing the project is commendable. As defence minister he deftly handled the Kargil War. Pokhran II Nuclear test during his tenure as Defence Minister is yet another feather in his cap of credentials.
He often used to visit defence forces and used to spend time with them listening to their necessities & grievances. He paid a record 32 visits to the world’s highest battlefield at Siachen glacier. He also directed bureaucrats to visit desert posts when the temperature is very high & freezing cold in winter to understand the genuine problems which soldiers face. George provided the soldiers with snow scooters for the first time when he was the defence minister.
George was a powerful orator who could convert the parliament into pin-drop silence with his prolific speeches on various subjects.