Souribandhu Kar: His Fighting Spirit Continues To Inspire Trade Unions

Bhubaneswar: Souribandhu Kar’s dedication to social work surpassed his commitment to his job as a Canara Bank employee. As a trade union leader, always standing up for the cause of the rights of workers, he earned an enviable reputation in Odisha and the respect of many. A year after his death on April 13, 2020, he is remembered as the person who was the voice of many voiceless people.

Born on April 2, 1948, in village Khanditar in the undivided district of Cuttack (now in Jajpur district) to Ananthbandhu Kar and Subhadra Devi, he lost his father when he was a child. His mother took the entire responsibility of his upbringing.

He learnt discipline and moral values from his mother. In a way, his future personality was shaped by the early socialisation he had in his village under his mother’s care and guidance. After completing his M.A. degree in Political Science from Utkal University, he joined Canara Bank on July 20, 1972. Souribandhu started his banking career in the city of Berhampur in Ganjam district. Subsequently, he was posted in different branches of Canara Bank in Odisha and retired on April 30, 2008. 

He was committed to the welfare of the employees of the Canara Bank. He became the Secretary of the Bapuji Nagar, Bhubaneswar Branch of the Canara Bank in 1974. He became a member of the Central Committee of the Union in 1980 and was elected as the Vice-President of the Union at the national level in 1985. He led many struggles for the fulfillment of genuine and longstanding demands of the employees of the Bank. He was also associated with the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) and took up the organisational responsibilities of both the state level as well as national level. 

His dedication, sincerity, and fighting spirit earned him national recognition as a prominent trade union leader. He was the General Secretary of the AITUC, Odisha. He joined the Communist Party of India in 1985 and rose to become a member of the State Secretariat of the party in 2005. He had immensely contributed to strengthening the party in Odisha and was committed to the communist philosophy. 

An ardent follower of Swami Vivekananda, he was associated with the Ramakrishna Mission. Souribandhu was inspired by the ideas, vision, and teachings of Swami Vivekananda. He tried his best to propagate the message of the great leader, especially his Vedantic socialism.

He also had a philanthropic approach to life as well as his activities. He had a keen interest in literary pursuits and carved a niche for himself as a prolific writer of the state. He had many publications to his credit. These include short story and essay collections, biographies, translations, and children’s books. He had a reputation as a popular columnist contributing to the major vernacular dailies of Odisha on various issues.

Besides, he delivered lectures at different universities of the state as well as other reputed institutions in India and abroad. As a Trade Union delegate, he attended international seminars held at Damascus, Hanoi, Geneva, Cairo and other countries. He was associated with many social, cultural, literary, and sports organisations as well as educational institutions of Odisha.

Souribandhu Kar was a multifaceted personality. As a social activist, he devoted his entire life to bringing about social change. As a leader of the working class, he fought for them till the end despite his age and health problems. He was a capable organiser, a prominent trade union leader of national repute, a powerful orator, and a great lover of Odia language, culture, and literature.

A self-made man, his life was an example of selfless struggle and sacrifice. His death took away a prominent leader from the public life of Odisha. His life and achievements will inspire the future generation. May his noble soul rest in peace.