THE Centre of Indian Trade Unions, in a statement issued on January 7, expressed shock and grief at the sudden demise of Comrade Chandi Prasad, veteran leader of the working class movement in undivided Bihar and former national vice president of CITU. He passed away on January 7, 2016 at Patna. He was 88. Comrade Chandi Prasad joined the public life in his early youth and, thereafter, joined the trade union movement and worked for organising the workers in both the organised and unorganised sector in the undivided state of Bihar. After the formation of CITU, he took the lead in organising the CITU in Bihar and led the Bihar state in various capacities including as its general secretary and president for three decades. He also contributed in the national leadership of the CITU as its vice president for more than a decade. Owing to old age and ill health, he relinquished the post of president of the state CITU three years back, but continued to guide it despite his ill health. He was elected twice as MLC from Bihar and played active pro-worker, pro-people role in the state legislature also. Comrade Chandi Prasad was widely respected in the state owing to his simplicity, accessibility to all and strong commitment to the cause of the working people. CITU expresses heartfelt grief at the demise of the departed leader, pays rich tribute to his memory and conveys condolence to his bereaved family members and comrades.