A smiling Rampukar Rai (right) at his farewell. Picture by Bhola Prasad

Jamshedpur, Sept 1: Union leader Sardar Rampukar Rai twirls his handlebar moustache a bit longer as his eyes gleam in gratitude at the glossy gifts, which include a Maruti car, a gold medal and a silver stick. His beloved workers had lined up the goodies to give him a fitting farewell on his retirement today.

At the same time, this veteran trade union activist of Food Corporation of India (FCI), who co-founded the FCI Workers? Union seemed surprised by the affections the workers showered on him for getting them a permanent job. Not to mention his happiness at the benevolence shown by the staff who had decked up with flowers the otherwise-deserted depot.

Avdhesh Kumar Mishra, a committee member of the FCI Workers? Union, revealed that about 180 workers pooled-in Rs 2,025 each, from their average salary of Rs 7,000 per month to give Rai the farewell. ?We were ready to pay even half of our salary to make this function a grand success. He fought for the rights of the temporary workers and got us permanent jobs,? said Mishra.

?My brothers and sisters (the FCI workers) have humbled me with this honourable gesture,? said Rai, smiling.

The whole area, which normally witnesses movement of trains, trucks with constant loading and unloading of food grains, dazzled in decor. Five elephants and an equal number of horses stood guard at the entrance of the decked-up tent (shamiana) while the drummers played patriotic tunes for over three hours.