The Indian Republic is completing 62 years by tomorrow, 26th January 2012. India won independence from the British imperialists in the midnight of 14th-15th of August 1947 after a long period of continued struggles under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. There have been ups and downs many times, but at last the British were compelled to leave India for good. The Constitution Committee including many stalwarts under the leadership of Dr.B.R.Ambedkar  drafted the Constitution and India was declared as a sovereign Democratic Republic on 26th January 1950.

Yes India has passed 62 years after it became a republic. Many achievements have been made during this period. But much more is to be done. Crores of young people are having no jobs; crores of children have no chance to study and are illiterate; while there are many crorepatis, crores are still under  the poverty line unable to have even a meal in a day. The corruption has enmeshed the entire society. Yes, there is a lot to do to improve the situation. Only then, we will be able to say that we got real independence, political as well as  economical.

My Hearty Greetings to all comrades, friends, and well wishers !

The Supreme Court’s direction to the UPA government to give the state minimum wage to the workers engaged in the NREGS is most appropriate and correct decision. The SC told the Central Government to resolve the issue through discussion.

The Central government has gone on appeal to the Supreme court against the judgement of the Karnataka High Court ordering for payment of minimum wages to the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) workers. The Supreme Court  suggested that the government, instead of appealing to SC, should resolve the issue through a consultative process.

It is reported that certain Ministers including Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh had proposed to the PM that the Government should implement the Karnataka High Court decision, instead of approaching the Supreme Court. This proposal was overruled by the PM.

The Central Government which should at least ensure the minimum wages to all workers, going against that to the Supreme Court shows its lack of sincerity to implement the minimum wages. It also exposes the its double role, on the one hand its claims of supporting the poor and on the other hand denying even the minimum wages to the workers. The Central Government should withdraw its petition in the SC and issue necessary orders for implementing minimum wage. Then only justice will be meted out.

While at Calicut, I went to the Reception Committee office of the 20th Party Congress of the CPI(M) to be held in the first week of April  4th to 9th, 2012. Even though there are still two full months for the Congress, the preparations have already started. The Reception Committee Office is accommodated in a building newly being constructed in the main Bank Road easily accessible. Sub-committees are formed and have already started functioning. A large number of seminars are being held participated by political leaders as also experts on the various subjects.

There is no doubt that the Congress will be a memorable event of Calicut.