MY POLITICAL MENTOR COMRADE GEORGE FERNANDES

GEORGE FERNANDES AND DRAVIDA PERAVAI

 

 

The picture above taken at Socialist Conference held at Tuticurin reminds me of his greatness. I went as observer to the conference. George Fernandes  called me to stage and asked me to translate his speech. In that speech he announced the launch of Sethu Samudram project, a dream of 138 years unrealized till that date. At the concluding time, he started introducing me to the audience saying my friend Comrade Nandhivarman who translated my speech is running a progressive political party in Pondicherry and showered praise for 5 minutes. I stopped translating his speech and told since it is praises on me I find it difficult to translate. His replies to all my letters will be published in the proposed book which is being planned to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the launch of Dravida Peravai since 30.10.1996. All our work during this decade will be recorded in two books titled " Arikaigal Aiyiram Arasiyal Payiram" and "Puthuvai Varalatrin Pugazh Mighu suvadugal".

Now looking down the memory lane, I wrote a letter to George Fernandes on 27 th September 1984. For which George Fernandes replied on 19 th October 1984. The reason to reproduce few lines from that letter is to record the regard George Fernandes had and has for DMK President Dr.Kalaignar M.Karunanithi. in that letter George Fernandes states " I can never forget the help and support given to me by Mr.Karunanithi during the dark days of Emergency. Our friendship had survived all the vicissitudes of political turns and twists".

In 25th January 1985 he was admitted in a hospital in Bombay. From there he replied to my letter. " Dear Nandhivarman... Thank you for your beautiful letter. With men like you around, we shall win our struggle, no matter what price we have to pay.

India sent IPKF to Srilanka. I wrote a letter condemning Rajiv Gandhi. In that letter I wrote " The curse of our race will see the dawn of your doom". A copy of the letter sent to Rajiv Gandhi was sent to George Fernandes. He replied "It is a shame for India that Mr.Gandhi should have chosen to do the dirty job for the President of Srilanka. That he is doing this at the behest of America makes it all the more dirty." This is George Fernandes comment on IPKF episode.

Dravida Peravai was publishing a news letter titled Green Politics. George Fernandes reproduced one interview which came in our news letter in THE OTHERSIDE [1.10.1997] issue. The Other Side was edited by George Fernandes. He wrote an introductory note for the interview titled 'AUROBINDO ASHRAM TAKE OVER BY CENTRAL GOVERNMENT DEMANDED....... Dravida Peravai General Secretary N.Nandhivarman speaks"

He wrote " There has been a persistent demand for the takeover of the Aurobindo Ashram in Pondicherry by various individuals and institutions. In the forefront of this campaign is the general secretary of the Dravida Peravai N.Nandhivarman. Nandhivarman has over years been exposing for public view the unsavoury goings in the Ashram, which have brought this once hallowed place into disrepute. We are publishing hereby a question-answer report which is an interview with Nandhivarman. We hope the authorities will take note of this report and take action in the matter before it is too late to stem the rot."

On 1998 25 th September Union Defence Minister George Fernandes wrote an official letter to Home Minister L.K.Advani seeking protection for me when I was heading a 15 party struggle committee against land house grabbing in Pondicherry. He could have just sought protection. But his affection for me comes to the fore when he uses extra lines to introduce me. " I have known Mr.Nandhivarman as an indefatigable fighter against corruption in all its manifestations. He has been engaged in a long standing campaign against corruption at various levels of administration in Pondicherry" so goes on his letter.

In Union Territory of Pondicherry three nominated MLA's could be nominated. Usually men of letters and scholars alone could be nominated. But in practice party men were filling these posts. Opposing this I wrote to Attorney General, President of India, Prime Minister etc. I suggested Former Chennai High Court Justice David Annousamy,Tamil scholar Dr.Era.Thirumurugan and Vasudevaraju I.A.S [retd]. Forwarding my letter to Union Home Minister L.K.advani, Comrade George saab wrote " Mr.Nandhivarman is the General Secretary of the Dravida Peravai and in the many years I have known him, he has been a selfless public worker taking up public issues, apart from fighting corruption in Pondicherry. The names he had suggested in his letter to Attorney General provide proof of his public concerns"

Well all these are recorded here not for self boast. I do not belong to his party. Lifelong I am a DMK follower. Even DP though a splinter of DMK is run as true DMK. I had fought emergency with my pen. But all these years not even once my leader Dr.Kalaignar acknowledged me or gave me my due recognition. If Aringnar Anna would have been alive my position within DMK would have been different. By monetary yardstick a man will not be evaluated by Anna. In George Fernandes I saw the nobility of Aringnar Anna. Nearly four decades we had been friends. I never joined his party. But for his Samata Party, I was a special invitee to its National Executive. Could you imagine this in Indian politics. Another party invited to National Executive. George Fernandes in public and private acknowledged me. I am ever grateful to him. In my life George Fernandes has a unique position equal to that of Aringnar Anna.

N.Nandhivarman General Secretary Dravida Peravai  Pondicherry 605013 India