Red Salute Com.DPN David
LAL SALAAM COM. D.P.N.DAVID
Comrade D.P.N. David, (popularly known as 'David Sir' in Tamil Nadu and as DPN among seniors), the trade union warrior, attained RIP status and went to be with the Lord on 2nd March 2026. He served SBT for more than three decades. Easily the most popular employees union leader among SBTians in the 1980s and 1990s, DPN was the Assistant Secretary of SBTEU for SBT branches in Tamil Nadu (except KK District) and all branches outside Kerala. He was also a long time office bearer of Tamil Nadu Bank Employees' Federation affiliated to AIBEA.
I had the fortune to work closely with him in the trade union activities as a member of SBT Employees' Union (SBTEU) and as a member of SBT Officers' Association (SBTOA). I share a few of my impressions/ experiences as under:
1. Learnings about SBT and SBTEU: I was transferred to Vellore branch of SBT, along with my friend Rajkumar, within one month of joining the bank's Mount Road branch, Chennai. We cursed everyone in SBT,, though no one was at fault. Every weekend, we used to visit our homes in Chennai. Invariably, half a day will be spent in DPN's house, hoping for some miracle to come back to Chennai. For me it happened after one year, since I agreed to work in a double shift branch and Rajkumar waited for more than two years to come back. Though the purpose of the visit revolved around self interest, I learnt a lot about the bank and the employees union in particular, from DPN, who treated both of us with respect and love, as if we were senior comrades.
2. Defend comrades and maintain Principles: Those, who had their terms in trade union service, will agree that one has to work for upholding the principles and rights of members, most of the times. But there will be occasions, where you had to defend certain indefensible actions of the members, plead for leniency in punishments, considering family circumstances, make an exception for a transfer on compassionate grounds, etc. I always admired how DPN maintained the balance and was even willing to compromise self/principles upheld, in order to save the job or terminal benefits of an employee.
3. Accomplishment that lasts beyond life time: DPN helped so many comrades and their families, as a front line trade union leader. His perseverance, patience and single handed efforts secured the employment for the son of late Com. Natarajan, (President, SBTEU) who passed away suddenly, while in service. Ganesh, his only son, was a minor, when Com. Natarajan expired. Com. DPN raised the issue constantly for a few years and SBT top management finally agreed to appoint Shri Ganesh as an award staff, making the one time exception, as a matter of goodwill and recognition for the services rendered by the late leader to the bank. On any day, I will attribute this particular achievement to the faith, belief and the perseverance with which DPN handled the issue.
4. Torch Bearer of SBT employees union (SBTEU) outside Kerala: When nearly 90% of branches of a bank are situated within a state, employees working outside that state, do feel orphaned, when their issues warranted the same treatment that is met out to the employees working within the 'anchor' state. DPN along with late Com. Anandhakrishna Pillai (KK District) (President SBTEU) and Com. Sridhar (Assistant Secretary) made sure that the employees working outside Kerala never felt the step-motherly treatment, both from the management and the union.
5. Simple, jovial and humble: Me, DS (took VRS in 2000) as members of SBTOA and DPN as the leader of SBTEU toured KK District branches to canvass membership for SBTOA. We were travelling by town buses to visit the branches. On the second/third day, DPN was found wearing the same shirt. When DS asked DPN about it, he casually remarked 'unlike your dhoti, my shirt has no two sides'. (உங்க வேஷ்டி மாதிரி என் சட்டைக்கு இரண்டு பக்கம் இல்லையே). All three of us laughed heartily. Very simple, allows criticism, participates in debates and encouraged always the juniors to climb up the ladder, whether career wise or in the union hierarchy. Strongly affiliated to a regional party, but a communist in mind and life style always.
6. Affection never revealed: In 1983, I attended the interview for POs of Associate Banks (ABs) of SBI. I was asked in the interview, in which bank I would like to get posted. I said 'only in SBT'. The interview panel was upset with the word 'only' and said what might be my response if I was selected for the other ABs. Without waiting, I responded 'I may wait for my internal promotion'. Puzzled, they wanted me to tell the reasons. I said, 'When I was without a job for more than a year after my studies, I got the opportunity to work in SBT. If I get a chance to work as a PO in the same bank, having understood its culture a bit, I will be able to serve the bank better. It is a win-win for both me and the bank". When I briefed DPN, he was not happy. He felt, I missed the opportunity and said 'the response should have been to work in any ABs'. He was tensed till I broke the information that I got the appointment order for SBT. His happiness knew no bounds, as could be seen from his eyes and face. For the first time, I realized that behind this tough man's Iron face, there lies a heart filled with warmth and affection for his comrades. I never forget this incident, whenever I think of DPN.
Com. D.P.N. David Amar Rahe. Lal Salaam Comrade.
Regards.
V. Viswanathan
16th March 2026
Six of us Bhaktavatchalam, Gopinath, Ashok Kumar, me, Ramakrishnan Arasu joined SBT as clerks. In 1983, I mooted the idea, why not we write PO exam. I & Ashok joined SBT as POs, Gopi went to SBI and Bhakta got Canara Bank. The standees Ramakrishnan and Arasu could not make it, but became officers in SBT via internal promotion A/B group. The last on the right side was Shri Chidambaram, cashier and came along with DPN DAVID (Assistant Secretary of SBTEU at that time) for the photograph. I learn that Shri Chidambaram also became an officer and retired from SBT Karaikudy Branch.
Sweet memories. Very well written
ReplyDeleteGreat rememberence, of a great Leader, by a great Banker.
ReplyDeletePranams to Com.DPN David.
Well written memory about DPN as I used to call him.We belonged to the same batch of clerical recruits of SBT from Tamil Nadu.We were colleagues at SBT Madras Main branch until I got transferred to SBT Bangalore City Branch which was opened in1972.DPN gave his unstinted cooperation for all SBTEU activities within the branch when I was branch Representative and also contributed to his mite for Trade Union activities of Tamil Nadu Bank Employees Federation .He was also few of the persons who was in the close circle of friends like NSMurali whom late SNatarajan used to consult and brief on Union matters.Long live his memory.RIP
ReplyDeleteWonderful recounting of events. David sir lives in our memories.we colleagues of Vellore were in touch with him.Esp he was very fondly remembering his time with Sri.R.Rajendran who was in pondicherry for some years before returning to Vellore.Mr.Parsmasivam was our mutual friend who paved a way for moving close with David sir.R.Raman ,MSivagnam,A.Elango,Gajarajan,s.sampathkumar are other colleagues who kept their contact with him.In this connection,mr.paramasivan who left our SBT contacted & talked with him a few months ago.
ReplyDeleteWhen I met him next, he happily report his talk with Mr. Paramasivan.we also worked with DTH Thomas in Vellore.
So we're very closely moving with David sir.we colleagues of Vellore miss a good friend & Philosopher.
One more accomplishment of Com. DPN David was conducting classes for promotion of sub staff to clerical and he, on his own started it outside Kerala at Chennai. And if i remember correct, you and i were the first faculty members also. It continued till merger and at one point of time we were even engaging professional teachers from educational institutions. It became so popular that the candidates travelled from all over Tamilnadu to Chennai, well in advance and attended the classes, staying at Union Office. Our study materials were also very popular.
ReplyDeleteVery nice memories of Our David Sir. Feeling blessed to have worked in SBT under his leadership in SBTEU.
ReplyDeleteOne may agree or disagree with the employees' issues he had brought at the negotiation table. At the management level there may be disagreement about his performan'ce . There were more complaints from his family members that he did not give enough time for his family.
ReplyDeleteSetting aside all , his commitment for getting better service conditions for the employees and his admiration for the performing officers/managers had been whole hearted.
With regards to getting employment to Mr. N. Ganesh S/o of Late Com.Natarajan his admission that it was possible by the efforts taken at multiple levels by then General Manager Sri..S. Srinivasan than his sustained efforts was praiseworthy.
A true trade union leader at heart who will always be remembered by his collegues
In Mount Road Branch tenure during 1999 to 2002 AIBEA organised a Branch farewell meeting (prior to the grand farewell DPN David Sir received in Chennai). Meeting was going on. Snacks were served to all including officers. But no one officer was invited to speak. Then I went forward uninvited and started to speak. I told the AIBEA members that what they were doing was wrong as they can't claim a person like David Sir as only their own. David Sir belonged to everyone cutting across cares and I recounted my relationship with him from the time I had my 2nd branch training in 1986 in Tirupur. He used to spent sometime with me whenever he visited Tirupur and I started admiring him.
ReplyDeleteI attended the mega farewell meeting held thereafter also where officers snd staff from other states also participated in huge nos. David Sir made history that day with his towering personality not only among SBTians but also from outside the Bank. I Pray God for his Soul to Rest in Peace
V Manimaran
This is in continuation of my previous message. After my speech in Mount Road Branch about David Sir, Mr Chellam Pillai (whom I met first time) rise and in his speech he countered that whatever I said in my speech, they from AIBEA would continue to claim David Sir as their own and they take a lot of pride in making such a claim.
ReplyDeleteThat was the day I came to know about Mr Chellam Pillai and who became a great friend, brother and family friend, from my tenure in Nagercoil during 2019 - 2012, till his death
V MANIMARAN