Indra Sen's Correspondence with The Mother

9 April 1946

A worker who was absent two days ago told me frankly that he had gone to attend the labour union conference. I asked him what had happened there and I showed sympathy for the workers' aspirations. Then other workers collected around me and we had a good talk for about fifteen minutes. I explained to them the fundamental offers in your recent "Declaration".¹⁹ I was surprised that they had not comprehended it very well. In the end one of them asked how they could form a separate union of their own and where they could hold their meetings. I said that you might allow them to meet in the Press itself.

They have already formed a union of their own—they have elected a President and are holding meetings at a place lent to them by me for that purpose.

I felt quite happy to have had that contact with them. But it appeared that they needed a little guidance so that they may not get mixed up with the outside agitators and may realise the benefits of their contact with you.

Yes, it is good to speak to them from time to time.

9 April 1946