- D. Ayyappan

Com Lawrence Fernandez, former President of the Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association passed away on 28th July, 2023 at a hospital at Kochi, Kerala.  He was 74 years.  He was not keeping well for the last few years and was not moving out.  

Com. Fernandez, hailing from a Catholic family of Trivandrum city in Kerala, joined government service in Andaman & Nicobar Islands during 1969 as a Primary School Teacher. From the very beginning of his service, he was associated with the Non-Gazetted Govt Officers’ Association, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, the vanguard organization of government employees in the islands.  From an ordinary member, he rose to the position of President of the Association.  He retired from government service as Headmaster (Primary) on 31st December, 2008.  After retirement from service, he stayed in the islands for more than four years, guiding the younger generation in the Association and vigorously participating in the activities of CPI (M).  Subsequently, though unwilling, he had to leave the islands and join his daughters on the mainland with his wife.  At the time of leaving the islands for mainland, he was a member of the CPI (M) Rural South Andaman Area Committee. 

He took keen interest to organize the government employees wherever he was posted. Throughout his service career, Com Fernandez had played an important role in building the government employees movement in the islands.  He was in the forefront of all the agitations organaised by the Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association and trade unions in the islands since early 1970s. Com Fernandez was a relentless fighter, challenging the authoritarian and autocratic decisions of the Andaman & Nicobar Administration and the Education Department in particular, which led to his frequent transfer from one place to other.  He had served many interior areas in the North & Middle Andaman and in Nicobars District. He worked with total commitment and dedication for the objective of organizing government employees and conducting movements in the islands. He knew by name hundreds of teachers of Education Department who were members of the Association or worked with him in the schools.  

Com Fernandez will be remembered for his untiring service rendered to the working class movement in general and government employees’ movement in particular.  Com Lawrence Fernandez is survived by his two daughters Preethi and Priya. His wife CJ Mary, also a retired Headmistress, passed away last month which further worsened his health condition.  

Red Salute to Com Lawrence Fernandez!