ON the occasion of the 111th birth anniversary of Jyoti Basu, the state secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Md. Salim, urged activists to draw inspiration from the life of this prominent Communist leader to address current challenges. Speaking at the construction site of the Jyoti Basu Centre for Social Studies and Research (JBCSSR) in Jyoti Basu Nagar (New Town), Salim highlighted the stark contrast between Basu's era and the present reality of Bengal. He noted, "The reality of that time, when Jyoti Basu led mass movements, spearheaded the Left Front government, and initiated a decentralized democratic system with a focus on grassroots governance in the state, has ceased to exist." Salim added, "The policies and initiatives of Jyoti Basu have been derailed." He called for a renewed commitment to Basu's ideals, emphasizing that this was the only way to truly honour his legacy.

To commemorate Jyoti Basu's 111th birth anniversary, the Jyoti Basu Centre for Social Studies and Research (JBCSSR) organised a series of activities at Jyoti Basu Nagar (Newtown). These activities included tree planting, sapling distribution, a seminar, and a cultural programme. The event was attended by leaders, activists of the Left movement, and numerous admirers of Jyoti Basu. Biman Basu, the president of JBCSSR, presided over the event, and the seminar featured speeches from renowned film director Gautam Ghosh and Party Secretary Md. Salim. Additionally, the construction of JBCSSR received generous donations from many individuals. Jyoti Basu's birthday is celebrated annually with various events throughout the state.

Biman Basu announced the construction of a six-storey building for JBCSSR. The project is currently in progress, divided into four phases based on financial requirements. Rabin Deb, Party Central Committee member and secretary of JBCSSR, stated that the first phase commenced on January 17, with Sitaram Yechury laying the foundation stone. Within the past six months, construction work has progressed rapidly. The building will serve as a museum and library, showcasing memorabilia related to Jyoti Basu, as well as supporting social research. Deb said that the construction of the Jyoti Basu Centre for Social Studies and Research (JBCSSR) is a testament to Basu's enduring legacy and the commitment to preserving his contributions for future generations.

Film director Gautam Ghosh expressed that the Jyoti Basu Centre for Social Studies and Research (JBCSSR) would successfully gather a wealth of information about mass movements and the people's struggles, utilising state-of-the-art technology. Ghosh also highlighted his production of a documentary about Jyoti Basu, aimed at helping future generations understand the essential aspects of this influential political figure and gain valuable insights from Basu's significant contributions.

Md. Salim emphasized the importance of learning from Jyoti Basu's life struggles in the context of the current mass movement. He highlighted the challenges Bengal faces today, noting that the Bengal of Jyoti Basu's era no longer exists. The initiatives Basu undertook to promote industries and develop townships like New Town have been thwarted. The state's education system and employment opportunities, which were meant to be of high quality, have been destroyed. Salim stressed the need for further social research to understand the current situation and bring about transformation. He stated that Jyoti Basu's life of struggle offers valuable lessons, teaching us to overcome overwhelming challenges through perseverance. Salim firmly asserted that the research center would serve as a supportive hub for future Left Alternative initiatives.

Reflecting on Basu's leadership style, Md. Salim described Jyoti Basu as a highly disciplined individual, renowned for his impartiality, composure, and comprehensive approach. Basu had a distinctive talent for understanding the bigger picture while also considering the individual elements. As a true leader, Basu always led from the front.

Filmmaker Gautam Ghosh, who produced a documentary about Jyoti Basu's life, delivered a speech sharing personal experiences from their travels and foreign trips. He incorporated excerpts from interviews to highlight various aspects of Basu's life. Ghosh emphasized Basu's diverse interests, including wildlife conservation and environmental awareness. He recounted Basu's memories of establishing the trade union movement among railway workers, participating in the London Majlish student movement, and fostering anti-fascist unity upon his return to India. Ghosh also highlighted Basu's role in forming the 'Friends of the Soviet Union', underscoring his influential legacy.

Gautam Ghosh emphasized Jyoti Basu's unwavering commitment to the people, highlighting his involvement in relief efforts during the devastating Bengal famine of 1943, his endeavors to foster harmony during the communal riots of 1946, and his transformative tenure as chief minister of West Bengal. Ghosh commended Basu's leadership in successfully implementing significant land reforms and establishing the panchayat system, which were widely acclaimed as major accomplishments. He concluded by attesting to Basu's integrity, stating, "I have consistently witnessed Jyoti Basu speak and act with impartiality."

During the documentary interview, Basu expressed concerns about corruption infiltrating panchayats and the lack of initiatives to improve education, despite increased teacher salaries. Nevertheless, he remained convinced that the Party was actively addressing these issues and believed that progress would soon become evident.

Speaking about the Left Front government's role under Jyoti Basu in preventing planned riots against Sikhs in Kolkata after the assassination of Indira Gandhi, and Basu's efforts in quelling riots after the demolition of the Babri Masjid, Md. Salim expressed, "On numerous occasions, the fact that I belong to Jyoti Basu's party has garnered respect and admiration from diverse sections of people throughout the country, filling me with pride for this identity."

Salim praised the unwavering dedication of Jyoti Basu and his comrades during turbulent times, such as the partition riots and the Bengal Famine. He emphasized, "Even though our party was relatively small during those days, Jyoti Basu and his comrades stood resolutely by the people. The experiences Jyoti Basu gained during those hard times shaped his future course of action."  Salim urged, "Let us now draw inspiration from his example and enhance our efforts to overcome the current circumstances."

A blood donation drive was conducted on July 8, at the CPI (M) Kolkata district office to commemorate Jyoti Basu's 111th birthday. It was organised by the Pramod Dasgupta Memorial Trust in collaboration with the doctors and staff of NRS Hospital Blood Bank. A total of 130 individuals, including 15 women, generously donated blood.

Biman Basu, chairman and president of the Left Front and the Jyoti Basu Centre for Social Studies and Research, along with Md. Salim, CPI(M) state secretary,  Ramachandra Dom, Party Polit Bureau member, Srideep Bhattacharya, Central Committee member, Kallol Majumdar, Kolkata district secretary, and senior leader Niranjan Chatterjee, conveyed their wishes to the blood donors at the camp.