THIRTY Nine years ago, on this very day in 1975, as we go to press today, “Internal Emergency’ was declared by the then Congress party government at the centre headed by late Indira Gandhi. As the sun rose that day, thousands of people were arrested and jailed, thus, heralding the darkest chapter in the history of democracy in independent India. It was only after a relentless struggle by the people of our country that this emergency regime was defeated in an election that Ms Gandhi was forced to call in early 1977.

THE Left Front’s 72 hour sit-in demonstration started on June 29 afternoon in Kolkata protesting against the ruthless attack on democratic rights in the state. Thousands gathered in the initial rally braving rains. The sit-in continued uninterrupted through the night with leaders of Left Front including Biman Basu staying on the road.

THE life and legacy of Comrade Jyoti Basu would always be the guiding light for the party so as to come out of the hard days that the party is facing today, and to carry forward the cause of the toiling masses that the party has been striving for. This was the essence of the points made by speakers at an overflowing hall meeting on the occasion of observance of Jyoti Basu’s birth centenary year at Rabindra Shatabsrshiki Bhavan, Agartala on June 15.

THE Midday Meal Workers Union (CITU) organised on June 4 a state level convention of midday meal workers in Desh Bhagat Yadgar Hall of Jalandhar (Punjab). Over 800 midday meal workers from every corner of the state participated in the convention that turned to be a big success. Harpal Kaur (Barnala), Charanjeet Kaur (Boparai) and Jasmel Kaur (Sangrur) jointly chaired the convention.

Below we publish the text of the greetings sent by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) to the Communist Party of the United States of America on its 30th National Convention held in Chicago from June 13-15, 2014.