Pravda Centenary Celebrations Begin

 Centenary celebrations of Pravda, first Russian working class daily, started by Lenin on 5th may  in 1912, are more about rededication than nostalgia and celebrating. Not surprisingly two day celebrations began in Moscow on a distinctly solemn note with representatives from fraternal communist press visiting and paying tributes at Unknown Soldiers tomb. Here they were joined by hundred's of Red flag carrying people, both young and old, led by Zuganov, the President of Communist party of Russian Federation (CPRF). Communist members in Duma were also present in dozens. Zuganov led paying tribute at memorial of legendry Marshal Zukanov, who is considered to be military architect of the then Soviet Union's victory in great patriotic war. Subsequently delegations of communist press paid tribute at Unknown Soldiers tomb. These memorials are situated in heart of Moscow, very close to Red Square and Lenin's mausoleum. Unknown Soldiers tomb salutes sacrifices of those soldiers in Great Patriotic War, whose names may remain unrecorded otherwise.

 Delegates from around 30 major communist publications from different countries, including some of erstwhile Soviet republics that gained independence with collapse of the then Soviet Union and socialist China, Vietnam, Cuba and D P R K as well as Laos, are also participating. CPI(M) central committee organs, People's Democracy and Loklahar (Hindi) are represented by Rajendra Sharma, Associate Editor of Loklahar. Shameem Faizee is representing CPI organs. Second day of two day celebrations is dedicated entirely to discussion on current challenges before communist media through a round table discussion on "Party Press and struggle of communists in present day situation."

An interactive meeting with Pravda editorial board, before the first day's main celebratory event, at House of Unions (also called House of Pillars) brought out significant aspects of situation of Russia today and role that Pravda is trying to play as an instrument of communist movement, to change these circumstances. Boris O Komotskiy, Editor in Chief of Pravda welcoming the delegations said, 'it appears that days of 20yrs back have arrived again.' reasercher and known author, Yuiry Yemelianov also contributed to the interaction lasting two and half hours. Programme ended with cutting of a special cake with Pravda hundred years inscribed on it.

CPI(M) Greets Pravda & CPRF

The following is the text of the greetings sent by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Russian Federation and to the Editorial Board of the Pravda on May 2, 2012. CC member, Associate editor, Loklehar, Rajendra Sharma is representing CPI(M) in these celebrations.

DEAR Comrades,

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) greets the Editorial Board of the Pravda and the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Russian Federation (CPRF) on the centenary of the Pravda.

As Lenin had defined, a communist newspaper along with its 'exposure' of the ills and limitations of the present social system, should be a collective agitator, collective propagandist and a collective organiser. Pravda, a newspaper started by the outstanding communist leader Lenin, was run by him on these lines and became a model for all the other newspapers started for the socialist cause.

Indian Communists too, learning from the Russian experience, had started and ran many newspapers in the vernacular languages to expose the British rule, rouse the people into popular movements and also propagate the ideals of social justice.

Apart from the many vernacular dailies, that are continuing in the post-independent era, the CPI (M) is bringing out the weekly People’s Democracy, the official organ of the Party and Loklehar in Hindi, since the last 40 years. These organs are helping the Party to resist the ideological offensive of the ruling classes and to strengthen the Party.

In the background of the global economic crisis, the most severest since the Great Depression of the 1930s, there is all the more a necessity for the newspapers of the type envisioned by Lenin. The increasing struggles worldwide show the  growing discontent among the people. They are searching for alternatives. It is thus imperative upon us, the Communists and the media run by us to place before the people the correct path for bringing an end to their travails and exploitation. The newspapers help us in strengthening the 'subjective factor', as Lenin called it, to utilise the condusive objective factors for transforming the society – establishing a socialist system.

Once again, we extend our warm greetings to all of you, and also thank you for inviting our representative to be present with you and share thoughts on this august occasion.