International Worker’s Day, popularly called ‘May Day’

International Worker’s Day, popularly called ‘May Day’ Celebrated on May 1ST by workers around the World.
Brig. K.G. Behl (Retd.)
President, All India Consumers Council, Uttarakhand Around the world, on May 1st, millions of men, women, and
children flood the streets of towns and cities, waving flags and joyously shouting slogans, laughing, marching, cheering – all over the globe. Masses of people join or watch on that day keeping aside, racial, religious, linguistic and even National feelings and boundaries to celebrate the greatest of supranational secular holidays – International Workers Day.

Working Class means that one works for one’s own living. That’s all. To pay bills one has to have a job, as opposed to those who could, if they chose to, live on their investments, inheritance, or income  from property. If you could do that, if your money – or Capital – could provide you with a reasonable living, you would be a Capitalist. If, however, you must work – if you are someone else’s employee in any way to pay your bills, you are a Worker. If you own a business which you must work at to cover your basic living expenses, you are a Worker/Owner. A Police Officer who beats back strikers or does his other duties as an employee of the State to earn his living is a worker, even though doing an unpleasant job. For which he is paid. Independent Contractor is also a Worker. Again an Artist too is a
Worker. Doctor, Lawyer, butcher, baker, panty maker are all Workers. The vast majority of American too fall in this category of Workers. You are a Worker if you must work so that someone else will pay you, whereby you can afford the necessities of life.
This global celebration of Working Class is celebrated with pride everywhere – except in the United States. It is, of course, ironic, since May Day was created as a celebration of the struggle of American Workers. International Workers’ Day is the commemoration of the Haymarket Massacre in Chicago in 1886, when Chicago police fired
on and killed workers during a general strike for the Eight Hour Day, the resulting riot, and to memorialize the execution of four Anarchists sentenced to death for not successfully discouraging someone, they did not know, from throwing a bomb. That’s right – all benefit from an eight hour day but May Day commemorates the people who
died protesting for it.
The concept of  working class differs in countries with capitalistic and socialistic approach. As a matter of fact lines have been drawn on capitalism and communalism. In America capitalist has been defined differently and they feel that there is no separate working class. According to them admission of belonging to the Working Class is tantamount to admitting failure, that Workers are only workers because they are not willing to try harder to succeed, and that anyone who confesses to being a proud member of the Working Class is self-evidentially too stupid to get rich in the land of easy money, which is available in plenty.
In capitalist countries it is noticed that very few politicians of either party even talk about the Working Class anymore. What they do talk about is The Middle Class – a term that doesn’t even have an agreed upon definition. Middle Class is just a Worker with a bigger debt, who has been brainwashed into thinking that belonging to
the Working Class is somehow a bad thing. And because they control the media, and the political machinery, this message of the Capitalists – that being a worker is something to be ashamed of. That the Boss is their best friend, and the Unions are the enemies. It is better and somehow nobler to dream of individual riches than identify with your
fellow Workers and strive to improve the lot of your entire class. According to them a united Working Class is the greatest threat to Freedom.
In the countries where working class is predominant, those workers who build the roads, cars. bridges, planes,  their fellows workers feel proud of them. It is not that Capitalists have no place in a vibrant economy,  but their profit and riches are  not the noblest objects of pursuit, as it generates the feeling that a united Working Class is the greatest threat to Freedom. Until it is felt  by them  that  are proud of workers and  can stand up and say that they are members of the Working Class.  Workers feel that they will always be prey to the machinations of those who would use them, swayed by the propaganda that separates  workers from capitalists. But in the changing circumstances the realization is coming that every one is a worker  in its own sphere but all have to work together to achieve results in
order to make progress not only in the that industry but for the development of the country.
So, Workers, celebrate this day, and admit that most frightening of things – that you are in the Working Class. Give yourself permission to rejoice in yourself and your fellow Workers. Find joy in unity, and reject the lie that you and your fellows organized is somehow your worst nightmare. Only the enemies of the Workers would despise a united Working Class, just as enemies of Democracy despise free and fair elections.
This year the tragedy in Nepal and some areas around in India caused by  the severe Earth quake leaving thousands dead and many of whom are still lying buried under the debries, has dampened the spirits  as most of the people died are workers.  But the way Govt. and people of India have provided prompt  assistance  and other countries too are rendering necessary help, it revives the spirit behind the May day. While keeping alive the spirit of May day we pay homage to all those who died in the tragedy and pray that their souls may rest in peace. Let  us all contribute to the cause  to enable the sufferers to come back on their feet and realize the power of workers.