People's Democracy

AIPSO Observes 120 Birth Anniversary of Ho Chi Minh in Delhi

THE All India Peace and Solidarity Organisation (AIPSO), together with the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam has organised a public meeting to commemorate the 120 birth anniversary of legendary Communist leader Comrade Ho Chi Minh in New Delhi on May 19, 2010. The meeting was attended by leaders of various political parties, Indo-Vietnam friendship association, ambassadors and representatives of various countries and large number of people who cherish the memory of Comrade Ho Chi Minh and fraternal ties between the two countries.

His Excellency Vu Quang Diem, the ambassador of Vietnam in India, in his opening address thanked the organisers of the meeting and expressed hope that it would help in broadening and deepening the understanding of Ho Chi Minh's life, his thought and further develop the close bonds of traditional friendship between the two countries and people. Tracing briefly the legacy of Ho Chi Minh, he stated that it not only belongs just to the people of Vietnam but also to the world people at large. He recalled the hardships Ho Chi Minh had encountered in his struggle against colonial yoke, against exploitation and for a socialist society. He remembered the support of the Indian people and its leaders to the Vietnamese struggle and hoped that this would continue in the days to come.

Sitaram Yechury, Polit Bureau member of the CPI(M) recalling his recent visit to Vietnam, applauded the development that was taking in the country and their efforts to reduce poverty and reach the millenium development goals well before the stipulated time. Quoting from Ho Chi Minh, he said imperialism, capitalism and individualism are the three important enemies of our times and, as directed by Ho Chi Minh, should be fought resolutely. He pointed to three important facets in the legacy of Ho Chi Minh – one, his application of Marxism-Leninism to the colonial question, two, emphasis on the unity of the party and three, maintaining live contacts with the masses. Saluting the Vietnamese people for defeating imperialism and their efforts in building a socialist society, he ended his speech by again quoting Ho Chi Minh who said, “We have to win for the enemy to be defeated”.

Amarjeet Kaur, member of the secretariat of the National Council of the CPI and Geetesh Sharma, leader of the Indo-Vietnam friendship association also spoke on this occasion. Ambassadors of Cuba and Laos too graced the occasion. Pallab Sen Gupta, secretary of the AIPSO presided over the meeting while G. Devrajan, member of the secretariat of Forward Bloc proposed the vote-of-thanks. A brief documentary on Ho Chi Minh's visit to India was shown in the meeting.