People's Democracy

CPI(M) Holds Chintan Shibir

THE Gujarat state unit of the CPI(M) organised a three-day ideological camp (Chintan Shibir) from September 12 to 14, in the idyllic resort of Prerna Dham in Junagadh district at the foot of Mount Girnar (Gujarat’s Himalayas, as it is known). This place, Prerna Dham, is an extremely ideal place for seminars, shibirs, study and similar programmes. Serene, decent and calm, with an atmosphere of loaded clouds, trickling small rivulets, greenery and low mountains, it is an ideal tourist resort. It is considerably away from the city of Jungadh, amidst the thick forests at the foot of Girnar.

This camp was a unique one, and was the second such camp. The first one had taken place three years back and for it the party education team had prepared a course of five books, translated into Gujarati.

The second camp was very well prepared for in advance. The CPI(M) state secretary visited every district before the camp took place and saw to it that a prior district level ideological meeting was held. This ensured that those attending the state level camp came prepared in advance and that such deserving comrades came to attend it as would build the party organisation in their districts and become active organisers.

The result was that 97 such leading comrades attended from all over the state. These included 12 women.

It may be noted here that CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechury, who was one of those to address the camp, had an acute pain in his vocal chord and doctors had warned that if he missed to remain silent for a week, it would turn into an incurable cancer. It was thus a medical mandate, but yet he came to the camp. Thus he honored the promise to come though he continuously underwent pain. His whole body was aching and everybody felt that he must not be allowed to speak, but he felt himself duty bound to address. This created deep admiration on part of the comrades. In a non-stop, brilliant and new way, Yechury approach the subject of political economy, and the whole audience was spellbound. Later, he volunteered to address the public meeting as well. 

Continuously guided by Arun Mehta and Batuk Makavana, Junagadh district comrades did their best for organising the camp. The arrangements for food, transport, sanitation and stay were excellent. The participants stayed here in ventilated rooms with attached toilets and bathrooms.

Those who took the classes used their experience and skill to see that those attending received their dissertations in right sense. At the end of each class, the participants did raise their queries and doubts.