Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 3 Jul: In a special Labour Appreciation Ceremony organised by the Uttarakhand Congress Labour Cell here, today, 237 newspaper hawkers were gifted raincoats, recognising their tireless work in delivering newspapers during the rainy season.
The event was held under the leadership of the Labour Cell’s state president, Dinesh Kaushal, and had senior Congress leader and PCC vice-President (Organisation), Suryakant Dhasmana, attend as the Chief Guest.
Addressing the gathering, Dhasmana said that Mahatma Gandhi always emphasised that true freedom does not merely mean freedom from British rule but also lies in ensuring dignity and justice for the most marginalised members of society. “A true Congress worker must continue organising Antyodaya-inspired programmes,” he asserted.
Highlighting the challenges faced by workers and small traders, Dhasmana stated that today’s ruling governments — both at the Centre and in the state — are primarily serving the interests of the wealthy, capitalists, and large businesses. “Malls and online commerce have devastated small traders. Demonetisation and GST have only made matters worse,” he said.
He noted that job opportunities have shrunk drastically, government employment has become nearly unattainable, and labour laws have increasingly favoured corporates over workers.
Referring to a specific request from newspaper hawkers facing difficulties in delivering papers during the monsoon, Dhasmana shared that the Devbhoomi Human Resource Development Trust, at the behest of hawkers, decided to gift raincoats to all hawkers. “Today, through the Congress Labour Cell, we are officially presenting raincoats to these hardworking individuals,” he said.
Labour Cell President Dinesh Kaushal emphasised that the Congress party aims to organise every worker in the state — particularly those who lack a voice or representation. He commended Dhasmana for having consistently supported the marginalised for decades.
Dehradun Metropolitan Congress President Dr Jasvinder Singh Gogi stated that only Congress is genuinely raising its voice for the poor and underprivileged today and pledged to launch a major movement for their rights in the coming days.
Congress State General Secretary Jagdish Dhiman and State Spokesperson Giriraj Kishore Hindwan also addressed the gathering and extended their support.
Lalit Joshi, President of the Newspaper Hawkers’ Association, expressed heartfelt gratitude to Dhasmana on behalf of all hawkers.
Association Vice President Pradeep Raturi remembered the COVID-19 period, saying, “While neither the government nor the ruling party helped us, Dhasmana provided ration kits and warm blankets to all hawkers — not once but twice.”
Other key attendees included Sardar Harpreet Singh, Kailash Semwal, Rajesh Kumar Bhatt, and Rakesh Sharma, among others from the Newspaper Agents’ Association.
The event concluded with the distribution of 237 raincoats to newspaper hawkers by Suryakant Dhasmana.
