May 3, 2008

BOOK REVIEW
Against Capitalism: The European Left on the March by William A. Pelz; Peter Lang, New York; 2007; pages: 159 + ix.
In an age dominated by the spirit of neo-liberalism at one end and postmodernism at the other, it is a somewhat challenging job to indulge in writings concerning any history of the Left. The present book, authored by a distinguished American labour historian, who has over the years written extensively on various aspects of the revolutionary working class (…)

Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah, during his second tenure as head of the Jammu and Kashmir Government, inducted a prominent National Conference (NC) leader from Baramullah, Mubarak Shah, into his Cabinet. After Shah had got ensconced in his ministerial position, he one day invited mediapersons to his official residence near Zero bridge in Srinagar for an informal chat with him. During the course of interaction with him, we found Shah to be an engaging talker. He told us many interesting things (…)

Who is there today who does not know Lenin and does not blow his head when his name is uttered?… For the crores of poor people of the world he has become a star that lights their way towards freedom… Lenin was born in Russia. But he belongs to the whole world, and we too seek our path in that light. It is but proper that we remember this great man and strengthen ourselves with his memory. —Jawaharlal Nehru (From the Hindi message on Lenin Day, 1938)
GENERALLY, Trotsky’s role in the (…)