Homage to Comrade Janaki Ballabh

Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) pays respectful homage to Comrade Janaki Ballabh, a long term associate of CITU centre who played vital role in adding dimension to the International Department of CITU. Comrade Vallabh was an eminent Sinologist and efficient in Chinese translation literature who passed away on 30 December 2022. He died due to age related ailments in China where he has been staying with his sons since a decade. He was 94. Remarkably he was elected to the Working Committee of CITU.

Born in 1928 in the village of Dalakot in Almora district in Uttarakhand, comrade Ballabh moved to China in 1956, after achieving his masters degree. He joined the Foreign Languages Press in Beijing, translating a range of Chinese works into Hindi.  Some of his prominent works include   'Selected Works' of Mao Zedong, Chinese classic novel 'Journey to the West', works of prominent Chinese writer Lu Xun. In recent times, he translated the first volume of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s book 'The Governance of China' and completed the translation of its second volume at the age of 90. His wife, Shyama was Radio Beijing’s first Hindi announcer.

In 1961, he was given the Peace and Friendship Award by the then-Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai.

Comrade Ballabh worked with the Chinese Embassy in India. After he was relieved from his job in the Chinese Embassy, he came in touch with Comrade M K Pandhe and CITU. In recognition of his experience in international affairs, he was assigned the responsibility of International affairs in CITU.  He joined CITU centre in 1998 and helped developing a well functional international department in CITU centre under the guidance of Comrade Pandhe. With his vast knowledge in international affairs, he had helped CITU in establishing relationships with Trade union movement in various countries. His contribution to CITU will always be remembered.

He had to shift to China with his son, following an illness. However, he continued to help CITU in many ways, especially with the international delegations. He was very particular in meeting the members of CITU who would visit Beijing in various delegations.

He is survived by his sons Atul who is working as Executive Director, FICCI in Beijing and Akhil a Singapore based Shipping Executive. CITU expresses it's grief at his demise and conveys heartfelt condolences to his sons, family and friends.

Tapan Sen
General Secretary

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