THE Centre of Indian Trade Unions has inaugurated its P Ramamurti Trade Union Education and Research Centre on December 15, 2017, in the presence of hundreds of its members, supporters, well wishers and leaders of central trade unions. The trade union education centre envisaged to be developed as a permanent school for CITU cadres was named after the founder general secretary of CITU and a legendary leader of the working class movement of the country, P Ramamurti. The day was the 30th death anniversary of P Ramamurti. Comrade PR’s daughters, advocate R Vaigai and Dr Ponni and his two grandsons were present at the inauguration ceremony. Panudda Boonpala, director, ILO Decent Work Technical Support Team for South Asia and Country Office for India, was also present.  

The programme started with the hoisting of the CITU flag by its president, Hemalata. AK Padmanabhan, vice president of CITU unveiled the statue of P Ramamurti. Sitaram Yechury, former MP, Rajya Sabha, who was the chief guest, inaugurated the building and delivered the address as the main speaker in the meeting presided over by Hemalata. Swadesh Dev Roye, secretary, CITU welcome the gathering and introduced the team of architects, engineers and others who helped in the construction of PR Bhawan. Tapan Sen, general secretary of CITU and R Vaigai also spoke. Amitava Guha, working committee member of CITU proposed the vote of thanks.

Highly appreciating the efforts by CITU to provide political and ideological education to its cadre and constructing a trade union education and research centre, to fulfil the dreams of P Ramamurti, Vaigai promised to extend support through endowment for taking up research. Dr Ponni presented a cheque for Rs 10,000 in the meeting for working women related activities of CITU and promised to donate the same amount every month for this cause. On behalf of CITU, Hemalata thanked both of them.

A calendar with PR’s photo, sponsored by COTEE (Central Organisation of Tamil Nadu Electricity Employees) was released on the occasion by A Soundararajan, vice president of CITU. Tapan Sen released a booklet on PR authored by R Vaigai and N Ramakrishnan.