THE Maharashtra state committee of the Democratic Youth Federation of India has organised a three-day study camp at the state level in which 108 youth leaders from 17 districts participated. The DYFI Pune district committee and well-wishers in Pune district hosted the camp which was held from June 13 to 15, 2014 at the Shramik Bhawan at Akurdi.

DYFI founder state secretary and CITU state vice president Mahendra Singh inaugurated the camp on the morning of June 13. Speaking on the current political scenario, he dealt with the challenges posed by the new BJP-led central government to the secular fabric of the nation as well as to employment and means of livelihood of the people.

On the first day, CITU Pune district president Ajit Abhyankar took a class on the ‘Role of Black Money in the Working of Capitalism in India’. In the evening there was a screening of the progressive social film ‘Fandry’.

On the second day, June 14, there was a study session on ‘The Marxist Conceptualisation of Capitalism, Imperialism, Fascism and Socialism’. Former DYFI all India vice president and AIKS all India joint secretary Dr Ashok Dhawale was the resource person in this session.

In the afternoon, there was a street theatre workshop led by Malavika Jha, Omkar Khembudkar and Kishore, followed by a mass fund collection drive from the people.

The morning of June 15 was set apart for a discussion on the state of Marathi literature and arts. It was led by the progressive writer and intellectual Dr Uday Narkar.

The session on DYFI organisation building was held that afternoon. The all-India general secretary of DYFI, Avoy Mukherji, led the discussion. A meeting of the DYFI state committee that was held in his presence took important decisions for the coming months.

A Marathi version of DYFI’s updated programme and constitution was released at the camp by former DYFI state secretary Shailendra Kamble.  

The three-day camp was an energising experience in brainstorming and learning for all participants. All the activists went back from the camp with greater enthusiasm and resolve to expand and strengthen the democratic youth movement in Maharashtra.