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. Karl Marx was born 200 years ago on May 5, 1818.  He died on March 14, 1883 at the age of 65.

Below we publish the welcome address by BV Raghavulu, chairperson, reception committeeCOMRADES and Friends,Leaders of fraternal left parties, delegates, observers, guests, invitees, veterans, Friends from media and public,On behalf of the Reception Committee, I welcome you all to this inaugural session of the 22nd Congress of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) which is being held in this historic, cosmopolitan city of Hyderabad. Earlier, the 17th Congress of the Party was held here in 2002.

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).

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.The engine of economic change for which Kerala is justly famous in India and the world is the investment that it makes in its people. This effort was spearheaded by the first Communist Ministry of 1957 and continued by the Left Democratic Front Government today.

AN impressive rally of Red Shirt volunteers was held on April 22, signaling the culmination of the 22nd Congress of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). The most significant aspect of the rally was it predominantly constituted of young comrades, who are below 25 years of age. More than thousand drummers matched the marching Red Shirt volunteers with their rhythmic beats. Together, they enthralled the citizens of Hyderabad, who had never before witnessed such a spectacle of Red Shirt volunteers march.