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KOLKATA, March 26

MOUMITA, Sarbari, Punam, Sanjeev and Norven, in the age group of 18-23 years have several things in common. They are children of employees of Dunlop India Ltd closed since February 1998. They have good academic records but are not able to continue with their studies because of family problems.

On Wednesday, all of them gathered at the Press Club Calcutta to receive financial assistance from Future (Foundation for United Trade Union Research & Education), a trust devoted to undertaking research on the trade union movement, labour, health and employment, holding seminars and bringing out publications on socially relevant subjects and extending help to the weaker sections.

The money distributed will enable the children to complete their studies.

But then, this is not the first time Future is extending its helping hand. It started late last year when four students, again all children of employees of closed factories, were given money for the same purpose. "A huge resources gap exists between what we wish to do and what we actually do," said Mr S.R. Sengupta, Chairman of Future. "We entirely depend on donations from both individuals and organisations," he said pointing out that Future being less than two years old was yet to reach out and mop up large funds.

How does Future select the probable beneficiaries? "Indeed, a difficult job," Mr Sengupta said. "We have a selection committee which tries to be as fair as possible."

Mr Sengupta, himself a veteran trade unionist, who was associated with the banking industry for a long time, said, "the general impression of people about trade unions and their leaders is not something to write about; they are labelled as opportunists. And perhaps not without reason. The time has come when we must do something to change that impression".

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