People's Democracy

50^th Anniversary of the Cuban Revolution Commemorated

A meeting to observe the 50^th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution was organised by the Delhi state committee of the CPI (M) in New Delhi on January 6, 2008. The meeting was addressed by Cuban Ambassador to India, Miguel Ramirez Ramos and Prakash Karat, general secretary of the CPI (M). Polit Bureau members, M K Pandhe and Md Amin were also present on the dais. The meeting was presided over by P M S Grewal, secretary of the Delhi state committee.

The programme commenced with poetry recitations and songs on Cuba performed by students from Jamia Millia Islamia. Ambassador Ramos begun his address by saying that the Spanish poems and songs made him feel as if he was at a home away from home. In his address, Ramos highlighted the achievements of Socialist Cuba, especially in education and health, in the face of the economic blockade imposed by the US since decades. He reaffirmed that Cuba would continue to strengthen its socialist system and uphold internationalism. He also cherished the strong bonds of friendship between the people of Cuba and India. He fondly recollected that under the initiative of Comrade Harkishan Singh Surjeet, a shipload of foodgrains was collected by the CPI(M) from common people of India and sent to Cuba.

In his speech, Prakash Karat outlined the historical significance of the Cuban revolution, highlighted its outstanding achievements and mentioned about the crucial role played by Cuba in the contemporary period in the political changes sweeping the Latin American region. Prakash emphasised on the eradication of illiteracy, the massive expansion of primary and higher education and the tremendous achievements in public health in post-revolution Cuba and held it as a model for progressive governments across the world. He also remembered the glorious internationalist role of Cuba under the leadership of Fidel Castro and Che Guevara, like fighting for the liberation of African nations like Angola against the army of the then racist regime in South Africa. Cuba has also played a pivotal role in inspiring progressive change in countries like Venezuela and Bolivia, which have now embarked upon a similar progressive path, he said.

Prakash castigated the US for sponsoring terrorism against Cuba and recalled that Fidel Castro has survived repeated assassination attempts made by the CIA under ten successive American presidents. Despite 185 countries voting in UN to end the inhuman economic blockade against Cuba, the US shamelessly continues with it. Only Israel supports such imperialist policy of the US against Cuba because they themselves want to perpetuate the economic blockade of the Gaza strip in order to make the Palestinians suffer into submission. He asserted that these barbaric acts of oppression will never succeed in breaking the heroic anti-imperialist resistance of the people.

The well-attended meeting ended on an enthusiastic note amidst the slogans of �Long Live Cuban Revolution� and �Long Live Comrade Fidel�.