THE Communist Party of Vietnam hosted the 18th International Meeting of the Communist and Workers' Parties, which was held for the first time in a socialist country, from October 28-30. The theme of the meeting was, “Capitalist crisis and imperialist offensive - strategy and tactics of the communist and workers’ parties in struggle for peace, workers’ and peoples’ rights, socialism.” M A Baby, CPI(M) Polit Bureau member and head of the international department attended the meeting.

THOUSANDS of people took part in various programmes organised across the country on November 7 to mark the centenary of the Great October Socialist Revolution in Russia, a historic event which stimulates every struggle for the emancipation of humanity from all kinds of exploitation. On the call of the CPI(M) Central Committee, rallies, public meetings and exhibitions were organised in many state capitals and other areas.   WEST BENGALThousands marched in Kolkata to mark the centenary of the historic event. A public rally took place after the procession.

THE Soviet educational system stemmed from the Great October Socialist Revolution.  `Land, Peace and Bread’ were the clarion slogans which inspired the workers, peasants, soldiers and toiling masses into the revolutionary upsurge.  After the revolution, the Bolshevik government underlined the importance of laying a strong educational foundation for the building of socialism.

THE Communist Party of India (Marxist) held a two-day workshop on caste oppression for the Hindi speaking states. 68 comrades from 10 states attended the workshop. The workshop underscored that for developing the Party and the Left and democratic movement in the Hindi-speaking states, it is essential to take up social issues. Among the various social problems, the major issue is of the deep-rooted caste system and the caste oppression engendered by it. Class exploitation and caste oppression are inextricably intertwined.

When I look for the grandest day of my life,rummaging in all  I’ve gone through and seen. I name without doubt or internal strifeOctober 25, 1917. The Smolny throbs in a buzz of excitement. Grenades hang on seamen like partridges. Bayonets zigzag like flashes of lightning.Below stand machine-gunners belted with cartridges. No aimless shuffling in the corridors;with bombs and rifles  no one’s a novice. “Comrade Stalin wants to see you.Here’s the orders:armoured cars –to the General Post Office.” “Comrade Trotsky’s instructions.”“Right!” ─he dashed forwardand the man’s navy ribbons flashed: “