People's Democracy

May Day Celebrations

RANCHI

ON the occasion of May Day this year, Ranchi witnessed a 10 km long two-wheeler procession, organised with flags, festoons and banners by the Workers and Employees Coordination Committee. The procession, aimed to express international solidarity of the working class, was led by the said committee’s general secretary J M Sansharna and the CITU’s Jharkhand state general secretary Nihir Choudhary.

This impressive procession began from Shahid Chowk and covered areas like Kuchary Chowk, Kantatoli Chowk, Sujata Cinema Chowk and High Court, before reaching the CITU state office in Sector II, HEC Colony.

The processionists raised slogans against the US-led imperialist attack on Iraq, against globalisation and anti-people economic policies of the central and state governments, and against the forces of communal fascism. To mark the day, street corner meetings were also held at Kalpur Chowk, Sujata Cinema Chowk and Hinoo Chowk; these were addressed by S K Das and other Coordination Committee leaders.

On May Day, senior party leader Ajit Biswas hoisted the red flag at the state office of Communist Party of India (Marxist). Floral tributes to the martyrs were paid. A colourful procession was also brought out from Sainik Bazaar covering the main road and it culminated in a mass meeting. State CPI(M) secretary J S Majumdar, secretariat member Sudhir Das and others addressed the meeting.

J S Majumdar condemned the US-UK attack on Iraq and the threat of aggression on other countries in the name of war against terrorism, and urged upon the people to join the unprecedented protest actions worldwide against US designs on Iraq. He also asked the people to join the May 21 general strike in great numbers.

(INN)

NAGPUR

IN Nagpur (Maharashtra), May Day this year was celebrated under the Banner of Kamgar Sanghatana Samyukta Kriti Samiti. The Samiti comprises the CITU, AITUC, HMS, UTUC(LS), and the organisations and federations of the central government employees, state government employees, bank, insurance, railway, telecom and postal employees, medical & sales representatives, etc. 

This year, May Day was celebrated as a day against imperialist war and communalism and for world peace and for national unity and integrity. For the campaign, 25,000 badges were distributed, and 5,000 leaflets, 2,000 posters and 50 banners and festoons were printed. Red flags were hoisted on every factory and offices in the city and rural areas. Workers took the pledge to forge unity, intensify the struggle against the policies of globalisation, defend the unity and integrity of the country and fight against the imperialist offensive.

In the evening, a massive procession with red banners, flags and placards started from Yashwant Stadium Ground. The main attraction was a colourful truck with big cartoon hoardings made of thermocol, prepared by students of the Government Arts College. The procession was attended by a sizeable number of women as well. Having passed through the busy streets of Nagpur, the procession culminated into a mass meeting that was addressed by leaders of the constituent organisations.

(Bhimrao Khobragade)