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Letters

‘Jasood’
No Communist revolutionary, let alone woman revolutionary has arguably contributed more to the Communist revolutionary movement in Maharashtra as veteran Communist Sunder Navalkar. The author can’t express his admiration for the tenacity of this veteran woman crusader who is active till this day, in spite of crossing 90 years in age. In spite of so many journals being discontinued ‘Jasood’ continues till this very day. This journal illuminated the flame of Marxism Leninism Mao tse Tung thought in the hearts of activists. This year is the 40th anniversary year of journal ‘Jasood’, which was inaugurated in May, 1973. No journal ever in Mumbai has so consistently defended the polemics of Marxism-Leninism-Mao tse Tung thought as ‘Jasood’. For 40 years it has defended Mao thought in every aspect-be it trade union movement, peasant movement, essays on Lenin, Marx, Stalin and Mao, exposing communalism, exposing state repression in Kashmir etc. The tribute of ‘Jasood’ to Mao tse Tung on his 100th birthday on December 23rd is unique. Also highly illuminating are the essays published defending Stalin and Socialist USSR in 1991, document opposing the communal riots in 1992-93 after the demolition of the Babri Masjid, the 30th year commemoration of the Naxalbari movement in 1997 and the recent articles defending the struggles of the CPI (Maoist). Memorable reports were posted on the railway workers strike of 1974, the mill workers strike of 1982, the bus workers (BEST), sweepers, securitymen, construction workers, students, doctors and the peasantry. Other notable articles were those on the 1982 solidarity movement in Poland, the critique of the Dengist regime in China and articles on the cultural revolution in China, on the Arab-Israeli conflict. Publications were brought out of Mao’s red book and of Lenin and Stalin. Finally reports have also been posted on martyrs from the Air India workers.

No political journal in Maharashtra so staunchly defended the line of Naxalbari, re-organization of the Leninist party and the formation of the CPI(ML) in 1969. It stood like a rock when Marxist Leninist positions were attacked in 1989 and 1991 after the fall of regimes in east European countries and the fall of the USSR. The journal brilliantly refuted the ideology of ’Perestroika’ and tooth and nail defended the Socialist USSR regime from 1917-56. It also defended the armed movements of the erstwhile CPI(ML) People’s War Group in Andhra Pradesh and Dandkaranya. Today the journal although it opposes the CPI (Maoist)’s adoption of formulation of ‘Maoism’ and differs with the party on urban work and nationality question, staunchly defends the struggle of the Maoists. On the urban front it consistently brings out reports on the struggle of Air India Workers. It was the veteran Communist revolutionary Sunder Navalkar who played a leading role in the Air India workers winning their right to permanency. Navalkar has played an invaluable role in the formation of Central Team of the CPI(ML) in December in 1978 which at the time defended the polemics of ‘Mao Thought’ more than any revolutionary party. She did meticulous work in educating workers with study classes and never allowed  economism to replace political  struggle. ‘Jasood’ became a weapon in the hands of political activists and played a brilliant role in educating political workers.

In 1998 Suniti Kumar Ghosh wrote a complement to ‘Jasood’, stating it consistently defended revolutionary theory of Marxism-Leninism-Mao tse Tung thought, more than any other magazine in Maharashtra. In it’s 40th anniversary this year many hope an English translation of articles in ‘Jasood’ would be made available.

Notable writers who so far contributed to ‘Jasood’ were Shashi Shekhar Pradhan, Haridas, Sudhakar Sheikh, Radhakrishnan Kariyiketh, P N Khere and Damodar Ahire. Sashi Shekar Pradhan made a monumental contribution to the 1992 edition on 25 years of Naxalbari.
Harsh Thakor, Mumbai

Chairpersons and Members
It refers to recent press-release dated 03.10.2013 from Union Finance Ministry silently mentioning exorbitant pay-hike to rupees 4.5 lakh per month for chairpersons of nine regulatory bodies in the country. Even members of these nine regulatory bodies will be getting monthly salary of rupees 3.75 lakh. Even though these salaries are inclusive of car and house allowances, yet it is highly improper that some selected few as public-functionaries get salaries several times that of even President of India. Union Finance ministry which in itself is the main regulatory body for 'austerity-drive' should issue necessary clarification such exorbitantly high monthly salaries hiked just after launch of austerity-drive in the country.

There are too many commissions and regulatory bodies in India many of which are chaired by retired judges. Extra large number of such bodies is there for rehabilitation of persons retired from high posts. Instead of spending huge public money on such large number of bodies, some of these can and should be merged for large saving of funds. Many chairpersons (and members) get huge amount of funds spent on their residential-accommodations through the bodies of their postings and even through public-sector-undertakings attached with their controlling ministries. Study should be made about over-spent of public-money by chairpersons and members of such bodies with names of misusing their official posts public. Rather guilty-found persons should be sacked from their posts.
Subhash Chandra Agrawal,
New Delhi

Frontier
Vol. 46, No. 20, Nov 24 - 30, 2013

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