Surat : In the heart of Surat, Gujarat, lies an unsung hero whose unwavering dedication and service to the Congress party spans over five decades. Sanmukh Maganlal Valand, a 75-year-old peon at the Surat City Congress committee office, epitomizes loyalty and commitment and the party has failed to compensate him for his tireless service, leaving a considerable outstanding due of Rs 72,000 in unpaid salary in the last one year.
Since 1972, Sanmukhbhai has been the stalwart, silently supporting the party, executing his duties with unwavering resolve despite facing significant challenges.
Valand’s daily routine involves tending to the modest Congress Karyalaya, located at Makkai Pool in Nanpura, Surat, ensuring its cleanliness, and serving visitors, party leaders, and workers with utmost care. His laborious efforts, however, remain unacknowledged as the past year has seen the Surat Congress failing to compensate him for his tireless service, leaving a considerable outstanding due of Rs 72,000 in unpaid salary.
Working on a meager income of Rs 9,000 a month, Sanmukh Valand’s story speaks volumes about selfless dedication. His commitment to his responsibilities knows no bounds, reflected in his long tenure working alongside 28 Surat Congress presidents. Yet, the disheartening aspect of his narrative lies in the struggles he faces due to the non-payment of his dues, compelling him to sell plastic items outside the very office where he serves.
“I have given my sweat and blood for the party in five decades long service” said Sanmukh Valand. “This is not the first time that they (Congress) are not paying my salary as I have encountered this issue earlier as well. I have a long standing offer from the BJP to join them, but I have refused due to my loyalty and dedication to the party”
Sanmukh Valand can speak in Arabic, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Marathi, Adivasi dialect etc. He remember how he joined Congress Seva Dal from Janta Party in 1972 during the stint of Janta Party leader in south Gujarat, Jairam Patel.
Sanmukh Valand also remember how he was beaten up the police when he approached in the vehicle of former prime minister Indira Gandhi during her visit in Surat in 80’s.
Hailing from the historic town of Bardoli, known for its significant role in India’s freedom struggle during the Bardoli Satyagraha led by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Sanmukh Valand embodies the values of resilience and perseverance ingrained in the country’s history.
His disappointment in the leadership, especially amidst the visible contrast when high-profile Congress leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi offer electoral freebies, echoes a poignant truth about the stark disparity between the dedication of the grassroots workers and the actions at the upper echelons of the party.
His ordeal sheds light on the paradoxical situation where a committed worker faces financial hardships while witnessing resources being allocated differently.
“Sanmukh Valand’s story is a compelling reflection of the need for recognition and support for grassroots workers, highlighting the disconnect between the leadership’s promises and the ground realities faced by dedicated individuals like him” said Darshan Naik, general secretary of Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC).
In his silent yet powerful stance, Valand’s unyielding commitment to duty amidst adversity beckons the attention of the Congress leadership. It serves as a poignant reminder for the party to honor and value the unsung heroes who embody the spirit and ethos of the party, urging them to prioritize the welfare of their loyal workers.
Sanmukh Valand’s story is a powerful testament to the values of perseverance, dedication, and the stark realities faced by grassroots workers. It calls for a reevaluation of the party’s priorities, urging a reflection on the treatment of its steadfast workers and the values they hold, resonating far beyond the corridors of the Surat City Congress committee office.
