[Reader-list] Remembering the Leader

[T Peter]

Remembering the Leader

A meeting was organized by Kerala Swathantra Matsyathozhilali
Federation (KSMTF) at Mannam Memorial Hall, Trivandrum on 4.1.2010 to
condole the sad demise of Shri Harekrishna Debnath, the greatest and
beloved fishermen leader of India. Many fishermen leaders and fish
workers were attended the meeting to express the grief on the death of
Shri. Harekrishna.

Shri. V.Vivekanandan, Advisor, SIFFS had delivered the Harekrishna
remembrance speech. He described Harekrishna as the ever-time greatest
fishermen leader who have worked for the sector. He said that the
legendary leader was a striking force in the fight against the present
deep sea fishing policy of Government of India. His leadership in the
anti CMZ struggle has forced the Government of India to withdraw the
draft CMZ notification, he added. The modified CRZ notification
expected to come out shortly and would benefit the coastal people in a
larger way, he hoped. With the withdrawal of CMZ notification due to
the anti CMZ Campaign led by Harekrishna, Government of India was
forced to acknowledge the rights of fishermen and Central Government
has now come forward to publish a draft bill on “the traditional
coastal and marine fisher folk (protection of rights)”. Shri. Vivek
recalled his close association with Harekrishna which has helped a lot
to work with fisher folk in new areas in the North Western region.
Born in Bangladesh, Harekrishna was a student leader of Awami League
of Mujeeb Rehman of Bangladesh. Harekrishna was sent to India by
Mujeeb Rehman as his emissary to Smt. Indira Gandhi. Thereafter he
stayed in India to work among the common fishermen of India. He worked
as the General Secretary of National Fisher workers Forum and he
became the NFF Chairperson later. He was the first Secretary General
of WFFP. His professionalism and straightforwardness only enhanced
Harekrishna, the phenomena. His contributions to the fisheries sector
will always be remembered for ever, Shri. Vivek concluded.

Shri. T. Peter, Secretary, NFF pointed out that by honouring
Shri.Harekrishna and his legendary memory may not merely fulfill our
responsibility, but his inspiration to the younger generation to
aspire to reach the standards set by him. The coastal people of India
have lost a strong voice fighting for the coastal environment. T.Peter
recalled, the leadership of Harekrishna for the anti CMZ campaign in
all the coastal states which led to the Victory of the fisher folk of
the country. Harekrishna’s effort to bring all traditional and small
scale fishermen group within a single umbrella will always be
remembered. Harekrishna was most importantly a humanist and his
simplicity has attracted all those whom he had associated in his
successful public life. The fisher folk of the nation are always
indebted to Herekrishna for his vision and perspective to the
fisheries sector.

Shri. Maju Varghese remembered his close association with Harekrishna
and stressed the irreparable loss due to the sad demise of
Harekrishna.

Shri. S. Ravindran Nair, Retd. Joint Director of Fisheries, Kerala,
Shri.M. Ambrose, Shri.Ajayakumar ,Shri. Wilfred Varghese, Shri.Anto
Elias(KSMTF), Sr. Mercy Micheal and many others spoke on the occasion.

Let his soul rest in peace and his spirits may continue to guide us always.

http://www.keralafishworkers.org