#TG Life
To fight corruption and cronyism to the end has been his motto of life and he narrates his story well in his book. Published by Manas publications the recently released (December 22, 2018) book at Kochi - ‘Honesty Victimised, CBI Politicised’, penned by Rear Admiral B R Menon (Retired) and the ex-CMD of Goa Shipyard Limited, exposes how an honest and bold defence officer had the moral courage and grit to take on the CBI and the State machinery upfront. Menon who is in Goa will be discussing on his book with Adv Caroline Collasso of Human Rights Law Network at the International Centre Goa on January at 5 pm.
Describing his personal experiences dealing with CBI in his book, Menon speaks of the rot that had afflicted the system decades ago. In his book, he unfolds his saga of trials and tribulations, of an honest and high calibre Indian Naval Officer who was persecuted by the CBI as a result of deliberate political victimisation and how he fought and eventually got acquitted by the judiciary 13 years after his retirement. The book reveals how the Admiral and his wife Promila faced the CBI prosecution trials with undaunted spirit and utmost courage.
The book also reveals his side of the story - after his return to Kerala when he was handpicked by the Marxist government as their chief minister’s advisor and how he was trapped and a false case registered against him due to his firm handling of corrupt contractors who were supported by the political factions.
The book talks about his tenure at the shipyard and several experiences with the politicians, workers and union leaders. “I was sent to GSL (Goa Shipyard Limited) to clean up the shipyard of extreme militancy and I found that the yard had very little work,” he shares.
At one point he was the most hated man in Vasco and his wife could not even buy fish there as the fishermen had been asked to boycott the couple, Menon speaks about the cleansing operations of GSL - from social problems like alcoholism among workers to breaking the nexus between trade union leaders and local politicians. He brought in administrative and industrial discipline in the work place which catapulted productivity multifold.
“I am here to improve the assets of GSL but not to increase its liabilities,” was his motto and he remained obdurate.
