Salute to the Strikers
Bruhaspati Samal
General Secretary
Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers
Odisha State Coordination Committee
They marched with hope, with hearts so bold,
Not for riches, nor for gold.
They bore the sun, the rain, the blame,
Yet rose each time to play the game.
Their voices rang through dusty roads,
With banners high and heavy loads.
For justice, rights, and fairer days,
They lit the path with burning blaze.
They stood for those who could not stand,
With empty plates and calloused hand.
They struck not for a selfish cause,
But to mend a system’s unjust flaws.
Each shout they gave, each step they took,
Is now a line in history’s book.
The wage you earn, the leave you take—
All fruits of battles strikers make.
We bow our heads with deepest pride,
To those who walk the stormy tide.
Who faced the wrath, the state's disdain,
Yet held their ground through fear and pain.
And while they stood, some turned their face,
Mocked their toil with sly disgrace.
Called them selfish, called them loud,
Unaware they spoke from clouds.
Oh critics safe in comfort’s shade,
Whose ease the strikers' blood has made,
You throw your stones from gallery height,
Yet never join the workers’ fight.
What do you know of hunger’s weight?
Of sleepless nights and workers’ fate?
Of broken backs and dreams denied,
Of promises the rulers lied?
You talk of peace, yet reap from strife,
You scorn the hand that guards your life.
The very rail, the road, the post,
Were earned by those you taunt the most.
So hush your tongue, and learn with grace,
The price of each secured workplace.
Or better still, step in the fray—
Let sweat and truth your words outweigh.
Let gratitude, not envy, reign,
Let empathy replace disdain.
For strikers stand where silence kills,
They speak when silence feeds the ills.
And when tomorrow blooms and thrives,
Know well it came from daring lives.
So honor them, both young and old—
These hearts of fire, these nerves of gold.
*****
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