LIC PENSIONERS CHRONICLE

I used to see aeroplanes circling around the city as they could not get clearance from the Air Traffic Control. When Hyderabad airport was in Begumpet in the centre of the city this was a daily occurence. On some occasions after a strenuous journey from New Delhi when our train was stopped at the outer signal for more than one hour and not allowed to steam in to the platform we used to scream and pull our hair. The passengers cursed the driver, the guard, the

railway administration, the station superintendent - almost everyone of the Railways. Understandable as the passengers were anxious to get off the train, reach their homes and have a hearty meal with family after eating all sorts of stuff on tour. For some the need to attend on the sick at home or visit them at hospitals also was there. Some had to appear for interviews or examinations. But all their anger won't move the train. Movement of the trains does not depend on the thoughts of passengers.

So also with judiciary.

Indian legal system is heaven for lawyers and those who eke out their livelihood on the system. For litigants expecting quick justice it is a constant reminder that the wheels of justice move slowly. Afterall not all cases involve high and mighty. Not all are politically important. I feel the system itself decides what is important and what can wait.

We are at the lowest rung of the social pyramid and we have to bear with delays. Some of us may argue that by the time the cases come up some precious lives would be lost but it does not

evoke any sympathy from the administration. Adminstration is sans emotions.

Many of us now in sixties, seventies or even eighties know all this. But then how is it some of us lose patience and exhibit frayed nerves when a well meaning person like M.Srinivasa Murthy says that he is trying to get things speeded up. May be others who are leading the cases also are trying but that may be unknown to Mr. Murthy. It is for others to make public their efforts.

I feel this is all due to the extreme expectation that something 

miraculous would happen soon after the Supreme Court opened. 

Our private prayers do not reach the court. 

What is important and what counts is how best our representatives 

and our counsels present the case before the bench and how 

unitedly we appear before the Court. 

I know that not only pensioners of LIC, but also retirees  

from Banks and others are eagerly watching our legal battle.