Comrade Balanandan, finest communist, inspires with exemplary life”

Amalapuram – Andhra Pradesh: The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) launched a year-long centenary celebration for Comrade E Balanandan, the revered labour leader and former All India President, with a leadership workshop in Amalapuram on April 11-13, 2025. The CITU hailed Balanandan—India’s finest communist—whose life of unwavering dedication to workers’ rights inspires united struggles against corporate exploitation.

Centenary honours a revolutionary icon

The CITU All India General Council kicked off Comrade E Balanandan’s centenary, marking his birth on June 16, 1924, with a vibrant call to celebrate until June 16, 2026. At Amalapuram’s UTF Home, a leadership workshop held on April 11-13, 2025, doubled as a Balanandan Jayanti tribute. Leaders hailed him as the epitome of communist ideals, urging workers to follow his path of relentless fight for justice.

From humble roots to labour legend

Born in Shaktikulangara, Kollam, to a working-class family, Balanandan’s early life was marked by struggle. Forced to abandon education, he toiled in shops and as a daily wage labourer before joining the Indian Aluminium Company in Aluva by 1940. Later, as an electrician at General Electrical Company, he emerged as a fearless organizer, building Kerala’s labour movement from the ground up. His journey reflects a life molded by the working class’s grit.

Unyielding defender of workers

“Balanandan, fondly called “Swami,” stood as a towering advocate for workers’ rights, never tolerating compromises on their dignity or ideological clarity. Though without formal higher education, his self-taught mastery of political theory empowered him to simplify complex ideas, making them accessible to the most marginalized workers. His leadership in CITU cemented its role as a bulwark against exploitation, inspiring generations with his principled resolve”, said CITU State President AV Nageswara Rao

Workshop ignites collective resolve

Presided over by Comrade K Roy, the Amalapuram workshop drew leaders All India Vice President G Baby Rani, and Godavari district leaders including DNVD Prasad, Nookala Balaram and Kaarem Venkateshwara Rao.

Nageswara Rao rallied attendees to deepen political education and unite against corporate-friendly policies, echoing Balanandan’s vision. The event pulsed with commitment to carry forward his fight for systemic change.

A legacy of empowerment

Balanandan’s genius lay in blending theory with action. His scientific curiosity and ability to teach resonated deeply, uplifting workers to challenge inequities. The workshop reaffirmed his enduring influence, with CITU leaders calling for intensified labor movements to honour his life of sacrifice. His belief in the working class’s power to reshape society remains a guiding light for today’s struggles.

A life to emulate

Comrade E. Balanandan’s centenary is a clarion call to emulate India’s finest communist. His life—rooted in sacrifice, fueled by conviction—offers a timeless example for workers battling corporate dominance. As CITU channels his spirit in Amalapuram and beyond, Balanandan’s legacy inspires a united front to forge a just, equitable future.