New Defence Production Policy: Alice in Wonderland!

THE government recently announced a long-delayed Defence Production Policy (DPP 2018), coming after many years of continually updated defence procurement policies whose emphasis was on purchase of military hardware, invariably from foreign sources. These columns have long advocated the need for a defence production policy, with an emphasis on indigenous technology development and manufacturing, without which India would continue on the path of serial imports with consequent external dependence, security risk, and erosion of sovereignty.

Marxism as a Force for Change Today

Below we reproduce the text of the speech delivered by Sitaram Yechury, CPI(M) general secretary at the ‘Marx 200: International Conference’, organised by Marx Memorial Library in London on May 5, on the bicentenary of Marx’s birth.

Comrade Ashok Mitra

ASHOK Mitra who passed away on May 1, 2018, was the doyen among Left intellectuals in the country, held in the highest esteem by one and all for his absolute integrity, his outstanding intellect and his commitment to the cause of the working people.

How to Change the World

AS we observe the bicentenary of the birth of Karl Marx, one cannot but be struck by the innumerable times Marxism was declared dead or irrelevant after he had left the scene a hundred and thirty five years ago. However, Marx and his thought, kept bouncing back to public attention. This is because the ideas of Marx, concern social and historical change and that is something which cannot become anachronistic at any period of time.

Inaugural Sessions’ Concluding Address

Below we publish the concluding address by Manik Sarkar, chairman of inaugural session

AT the outset I would like to thank and express our gratitude to the people of Telangana who have extended their whole hearted support to organize our Party Congress in this historic city of Hyderabad.

It is the constitutional mandate of our Party that after every three years we have to organize our Party Congress. Accordingly after Visakhapatnam we are meeting here for our 22^nd Congress.

Welcome Speech at the Inaugural Session of the Party Congress

Below we publish the welcome address by BV Raghavulu, chairperson, reception committee

COMRADES and Friends,

Leaders of fraternal left parties, delegates, observers, guests, invitees, veterans, Friends from media and public,

Inaugural Speech of the Party Congress

Below we reproduce the speech of Sitaram Yechury, CPI(M) general secretary, at the inaugural session of the 22nd CPI(M) Congress, Mohd. Amin Nagar, Hyderabad, April 18, 2018

Dear Comrades and friends,

I thank all of you for accepting our invitation and joining us at this inaugural session of the 22nd Congress of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). I am pleased to see the presence of eminent public figures, veteran leaders of the people’s movements and leaders of different contingents of the people’s struggles here.

Terms of Reference of the 15th Finance Commission

The 22nd Congress of CPI(M) expresses deep concern about the anti-federal and anti-democratic underpinnings of the Terms of Reference (TOR) of the 15th Union Finance Commission (FC).

Unnao and Kathua atrocities and increasing sexual assault against minor girls

The 22nd Congress of the CPI(M) expresses its horror and anguish at the unending spate of rapes and murders, especially of children, that have been taking place in the last few months.

A report released on the 18th April, 2018, by CRY, an NGO working on child rights, states that a sexual offence is committed against a child in India every 15 minutes.

Solidarity with the Left Democratic Front Government in Kerala

The 22nd Congress of the CPI(M) salutes the people of Kerala, and commends the commitment of the Left Democratic Front Government led by the CPI(M) to defending the historical gains of the toiling people, and building a secular, democratic, Left alternative for social and economic development.

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