PUNJAB: CPI(M) State Conference Calls for Intensifying Struggles against Anti-People Policies

THE 21st Punjab state conference of the CPI(M) was held from January 15-18 at Jandiala Manjki in Jalandhar. The conference gave the call to unite and strengthen the struggles against the anti-people policies being pursued by the NDA governments in the state and at the centre.A massive rally was organised at Jandiala Manjki village on the opening day of the three-day conference. Party general secretary Prakash Karat, Polit Bureau member S Ramachandran Pillai, Central Secretariat members Nilotpal Basu and Joginder Sharma, and state secretary Charan Singh Virdi addressed the gathering.

The Real & Insidious Nature of 'Ghar Wapsi’ Campaign

‘GHAR’ is one of the most loved and evocative words in Hindustani. It conjures up a place that is always welcoming, always accepting, not only to those who belong to it but to their friends and comrades. The doors of a home are always open, the space in a home is also elastic, capable of enveloping as many as want to enter the haven that it offers. ‘Ghar wapsi’ therefore signifies a happy return home. From a voyage, from a long absence, from a holiday. It is a happy home-coming not only for a family favourite but even for a prodigal son (or daughter). In short, it is

Greater Economic Burdens Instead of Ache Din

THERE is predictable hype being built over US President Barrack Obama’s presence at the 2015 Republic Day parade as the chief guest. This is the first time, since independence, that a serving president of the USA would be the chief guest at our annual Republic Day parade where the president of India as the `supreme commander of the armed forces’ will take the “salute”. When the supreme commander takes the salute, it is the signal for all the wings of the armed forces to move into, what is called in military parlance, “war mode”.

Sham of Lowering Petrol & Diesel Prices

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement on January 17. THE central government has for the fourth time since November hiked the excise duties on petrol and diesel which will bring the government revenue of Rs 20,000 crores rupees. Thus instead of the people of India benefiting from the 55 per cent decrease in the global price of crude oil since June 2014, the government is exploiting the situation to fill its own coffers. These steps of the government also expose its totally hypocritical approach regarding deregulation.

Central Committee Adopts Review Report & Draft Political Resolution

THE Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) began its three day session at Pragati Nagar in Hyderabad from January 19-21. On behalf of the Polit Bureau, General Secretary Prakash Karat placed the Draft Review Report on the Political Tactical Line, in the morning session.

Mumbo Jumbo as Science in the Science Congress

THE 102nd Science Congress did not distinguish itself by inviting speakers, who offered mumbo jumbo as science. It was not helped by the union minister for science and technology, Harsh Vardhan talking about how India had discovered the Pythagoras “formula”, and algebra well before Greeks and Arabs but generously gave them the “credit”. The past is no longer about scientifically discovering what really happened, but a race of who did what first.

Changing Policies and the Way Forward: A Discussion in AIDWA

USHERING in the new year with the recognition that for this to be a happy year for the mass of working and poor women and men, and indeed the entire country, strong popular resistance against the aggressively authoritarian pursuit of neo-liberal policies and bigoted communal polarisation by the NDA government has to be launched. If the first week is anything to go by, 2015 will bring even greater economic hardships and social discord for the people through anti-constitutional means. The slogan of ‘development and prosperity’ by the Modi government has proved to be a chimera.

Coal Strike: Govt Resorts to Misleading Statements, Distortion of Facts

THE two-day coal workers’ strike on January 6-7 was total and joined by seven lakh permanent and contract workers of public sector Coal India Ltd (CIL) and Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL) in 40 coal-bearing districts of the country. The strike brought mining, loading and unloading, transportation and other related works to a grinding halt from the very first shift on January 6 and had an effect on lakhs of other workers engaged in outsourced activities.

The Length, Breadth & Depth of TCS’ Lay-offs: Why it is Completely Unjustified to Lay-off its Employees

TCS, the largest Indian company by market capitalisation has recently stated that it would restructure the organisation. This restructuring could potentially lead to the loss of jobs of around 30,000 associates of the world’s third largest employer in the technology sector according to some newspaper reports.Although lay-offs are not uncommon in the IT industry, something of this scale and magnitude is unprecedented in the recent times. What also adds to the woes is the fact that the TCS is otherwise perceived to be a very employee-friendly organisation.

Demystification of Modi

NARENDRA Modi has launched his new year with Pravasi Bhartiya Sammelan and seventh vibrant Gujarat festival of three days where he extended an open invitation to investors from capitalist countries, whether NRI’s or private capital investors of multinational corporations to accelerate their engagement in the ongoing process of capitalist development of India led by Indian monopoly capitalist fractions of the ruling class.

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