SANGRUR: The four day, 10th national convention, of the All India Youth Federation (AIYF), the youth wing of the Communist Party of India (CPI), which began here, on Sunday would mark a major break with the past to keep pace with the changing social reality.
The convention would formulate a new policy program, shed ding the parochial approach. Said Tara Singh Sandhu, its president, “The ATYF would not solely depend upon Marxism and Leninism, but also seek inspiration from Guru Nanak and Buddha.”
He said the Indian cultural heritage was rich in content and the effort now would be to seek ideological inspiration from great Indian leaders, including Mahatama Gandhi.
Delegates from about 35 fraternal youth organizations from abroad are participating in the convention, along with more than S00: delegates from within the country.
Present on this historic occasion was CPI general secretary Indrajit Gupta, MP, who inaugurated the convention and the veteran cine artist A.K.Hangal. In tune with the major shift, Gupta did not dwell On any party thesis but confined himself to the attack on communal forces, AIYF would no more function as a wing of the CPI, but, open its doors to all cutting across party lines, Sandhu said efforts had been made to broad base the convention with invitation to the youth leaders and activists from other organizations having secular credentials, The CPI red flags were conspicuous by their absence. The Participation was massive going by the CPI standards.
Veteran party leaders were in a different company in accordance with the changing mood. Instead of revolutionary songs blaring from the loudspeakers, it was smart Punjabi folk singer Parminder Sandhu gyrating on stage, something unheard of until a few months ago.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 1, 1993
