THE National Committee for Solidarity with Cuba, in association with the Embassy of Cuba celebrated the 90th birthday of Comrade Fidel Castro.
Marileydis, Chargé d'Affaires of the Cuban Embassy briefly spoke about the historic contribution of Fidel in the construction of socialism in Cuba. She stated that Fidel is an inspiration to all Cubans and is loved by them as a father figure. The real tribute one can pay to Fidel, according to her, is to continue the fight against injustice anywhere in the world and striving for an equal world where everybody can lead a dignified life.

Sitaram Yechury, general secretary of CPI(M) in his brief remarks recalled his meetings with Fidel Castro and Fidel’s penchant for details and his emphasis that without a thorough grasp of ground realities one cannot fight capitalism or build socialism. Yechury said, Fidel through his in-depth command over various fields of knowledge which he put to use to change the conditions of people, is a role model to be emulated by people all over the world. Yechury also said that unlike imperialist countries which always try to run their writ over third world countries by occupying their markets and resources, Cuba under Fidel stood out as a country that was always willing to extend its solidarity with the people all over the world. He reminded the audience of the numerous brigades of doctors sent by Cuba to fight diseases like Ebola, Zika fever etc and also help them during natural disasters like floods, cyclones and earthquakes. Cuban doctors and medicine are renowned for furthering the frontiers of treatment in neurological disorders and eye care. The vision of Fidel in understanding history and anticipating future is extraordinary. Yechury concluded by thanking Fidel for his words of wisdom he shares regularly through his ‘Reflections’ and wished him all health and many more years in the service of humanity.
Sudhakar Reddy, general secretary of CPI, highlighted the advances made by Cuba in the fields of education, particularly in the elimination of illiteracy within   three years of the revolution. This is due to the dynamism of Fidel and his foresight. He brought to the notice of the audience the more than 600 attempts made by CIA on Fidel’s life and stated that imperialism always wanted to nip the Cuban revolution in the bud itself, but had spectacularly failed. Fidel has led the revolution and Cuba to withstand the imperialist attacks and its attempts to isolate Cuba. The US today stands isolated and is increasingly exposed of its inhuman economic embargo imposed on Cuba. Today the Left and progressive governments and movements in Latin America take their inspiration form Fidel and Cuba, he observed.

Siddharth Varadaragan, editor of the Wire and an eminent journalist, analysed the various phases in the life of Fidel Castro and highlighted how he swam through all the obstacles that were posed before him in all these phases. The contributions of Fidel in resisting imperialism, in the fight against apartheid, in building South-South unity are immense. It is these efforts that make Fidel one of the world’s tallest statesman and a living legend.
Nilotpal Basu, convenor of Solidarity Committee conducted the proceedings.  Professor Sonya Gupta, Pallab Sengupta, Devarajan and others sat on the dais. A documentary on the life of Fidel was shown on the occasion. Revolutionary songs performed by the student group Dastak and the Janasanskriti group made the audience join them in dance. These cultural programmes were the fitting finale to the celebrations.    

AIPSO West Bengal Observes Fidel’s 90th Birthday
THE All India Peace and Solidarity Organisation (AIPSO) West Bengal state committee had organised a discussion on the eve of Fidel Castro’s 90th birthday on August 13, 2016 in Kolkata and the theme of the discussion was ‘Fidel means live head high.’ Many people from various walks of lives gathered in Rammohan Hall in Kolkata to make the programme a grand success. The age old auditorium where the programme took place is also closely associated with the rich culture of Bengal where Rabindranath Tagore, Acharya Prafulla Chandra Roy delivered historic speeches.
Biman Basu, chairman of West Bengal Left Front Committee, was the chief speaker of the programme. He said that even today the nonagenarian Cuban leader is the inspiration for anti-imperialist movements of the entire world. He said Castro has become an icon for social change. The veteran Indian Communist leader said that in the context of today’s threat of parochial nationalism, one should take lessons of patriotism from Fidel. In his candid speech, Biman Basu also threw light on his memorable experience of meeting Comrade Fidel.  He elaborated how US imperialist forces organised attacks on Fidel’s life; 634 times they conspired to unleash attacks on Fidel’s life. He also said that Fidel has inspired not only countries of Latin America but several others from different parts to form anti-imperialist movements. How can one forget his support to the African country Angola in their freedom struggle, said Basu. He further expressed his concern on the fact that the conspiracy against Cuba is still continuing.
Probodh Panda, West Bengal state secretary of CPI, also addressed the gathering. He emphasised how young Fidel acted his own prosecutor during the trial after attack on Moncada garrison and spoke for five long hours. Fidel elaborated the aims and objectives of the Communists and publicised their ideology in that lecture which ultimately became the manifesto.
National general secretary of AIPSO Rabin Deb and former parliamentarian Manoj Bhattacharya were present on the dais.  Eminent young poet Mandakranta Sen recited her poems, especially what she recently composed on the 90th birthday of legendary Fidel.  Subhaprasad Nandi Majumder’s enthralling singing and Rina Deb’s spirited recitation was also appreciated by the gathering.
Professor Asok Nath Basu, former vice-chancellor of Jadavpur Universty presided over the programme. Professor Saumendranath Bera, general secretary of AIPSO West Bengal state committee, said in his welcome address that Fidel’s contribution to the history of humanity cannot be erased. He recollected how Kolkata welcomed Fidel when he visited the city on September 17, 1973.