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EEFIElectricity Employees Federation of India

Publication · March 2025

Swami: The People’s Comrade

E. Balanandan’s Legacy in Labour Rights

Cover of Swami: The People’s Comrade, published by EEFI, March 2025
In the pursuit of justice, true leadership emerges not from authority, but from unwavering dedication to uplifting the voices of the many.

Released at the 10th National Conference, Thiruvananthapuram. Printed and published by the National Centre, B.T.R. Bhawan, New Delhi.

Chairman
Sudip Dutta
Editor
Dr. M. G. Suresh Kumar
Editorial board
Unnikrishnan C. · Jasmine Banu · Pramodu · Pramod Sreedharan
Download the book (PDF)

Preface

The years 2024–25 mark the birth centenary of Comrade E. Balanandan and the fortieth year of the Electricity Employees Federation of India. The book was released at the 10th National Conference, Thiruvananthapuram, 10–12 March 2025.

Comrade E. Balanandan devoted his life to the rights of workers. From the aluminium factory at Eloor he rose to lead CITU as President, and he led the electricity employees’ movement at the national level until his death. He was the founding President of EEFI.

These pages collect tributes from comrades who worked with him, and one essay in his own hand on power-sector “reforms”. The book is meant as a guide for a new generation of cadres — not a closed memorial.

Contents

  1. PrefaceEditorial board
  2. Dignified Thoughts and Simple LifePinarayi Vijayan
  3. Remembering Comrade E. BalanandanTapan Sen
  4. Militant Blue-Collar Factory Worker to President of CITUSwadesh DevRoye
  5. A Life Devoted to the Cause of the Working PeopleA. K. Padmanabhan
  6. A Pillar of the Working-Class Movement and Marxist LeadershipPrakash Karat
  7. Some Memories with Great Leader Comrade E. BalanandanHarbhajan Singh
  8. Honouring Comrade E. Balanandan: A Pillar of Hope and ResistanceElamaram Kareem
  9. Comrade E. BalanandanDr. Hemalatha
  10. Reflections on Comrade E. Balanandan: A Legacy of Clarity and UnityDr. M. G. Suresh Kumar
  11. Power Sector Reforms and Their Risky ConsequencesE. Balanandan
  12. An Unparalleled Revolutionary Genius Emerging from the Working ClassK. Chandran Pillai

O voice of labor, fierce and bold, A beacon bright in red and gold. From factory floors to union halls, You stood unshaken, heard the calls.

Cover design: Abhinav. Art: Aswath Madhavan. Layout: Anilpookkode. First edition, March 2025.

About the federation he founded · 10th National Conference

Essays from the volume are on this site as separate articles. The bound PDF can be downloaded above.