Nurungukal....contd...

     When I think of my days in central warehousing corporation,the first name that come to my mind is that of Mr. P.M.Thomas. He was the adviser to Govt. of India on matters related to warehousing. I had attended many of his talks on this subject with a passion. He had an exceptional ability to enthuse your curiosity and involvement. His jokes kept you alive in the class room. It was he who told us ‘preserve or perish’ and ‘ a grain saved is a grain produced’.His remark on rats is relevant even now. “rat is a rat,whether east or west, take no rest, until you put him to eternal rest ". And much more about the devastating damages and loss caused by rats and small insects. When he explained the life cycle of a moth we can visualise even a hibernating pupae. His texts and circulars are even now considered as basic documents on warehousing,like a BIBLE. Although not of similar calibre there were a few other stalwarts in  CWC who played crucial roles like         M/sChibber[commercial],Mehtha[accounts],Mithra[personnel] etc etc. I would say that it was the joint effort of these and many juniors which was responsible for establishing a viable net work of warehouses throughout the length and breadth of our country.

       Warehouses are considered as an important link in the chain of marketing and post harvest management of agricultural produces. In the absence of scientific storage facility, the yearly loss of food grain was more than 30%. After the advent of wide spread modern warehouses it was reduced to less than 10% and we can imagine the quantity of grain saved. There are many more functions and objectives in the warehousing activity. {1} create a negotiable instrument so that farmers can avoid distress sale as they can avail short term loans against ware house receipt a  reliable document. {2}  Grading ensures an orderly marketing {3} insurance ,etc and of course a warehouse meets the time and space demand of a good marketing  strategy as the goods can be made available at the right time, in right quantity and at the right place.

             The warehousing concept was introduced as a three tire programme. Rural godowns were to be set up by local co-operative societies, State warehouses at state level markets and central warehouse to take care of markets serving a wider area. Initially there were only general warehouses, taking care of the need of traders and a very few farmers. But as our economy grew and need for a public distribution system became inevitable bigger ventures were envisaged. When the export and import activity gained momentum it was time to setup custom bonded warehouses, container depots etc to cater the needs of foreign trades. Now it has grown from seven to say several centres working day in and day out, thanks to its dedicated staff and management. I heard that recently CWC staff are benefited by a pension scheme, for which we were fighting but in vain. I hope that those who are in service now will at least remember that they are enjoying the fruits of  the toil of their fore runners and continue the journey to serve the nation relentlessly......contd....