New Delhi: On May 3rd, the All India Youth Federation (AIYF) celebrated its 67th foundation day with great joy, high energy, and a new revolutionary pledge. The celebrations took place all over India, stretching from the central office in New Delhi to states like Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Bengal, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. Countless events were organized at the state, district, and local levels, which included flag hoisting ceremonies, tree planting, seminars, and large public gatherings. During all these events, the national and state leadership called upon the youth of the country to unite in one voice. They announced a stronger fight against rising unemployment, out-of-control privatization, dangerous levels of drug addiction, and increasing social inequality.
At the historic central office in New Delhi, National President Roshan Kumar Sinha officially inaugurated the main event by respectfully hoisting the organization's flag. Young cadres present on this dignified occasion emotionally remembered the great sacrifices of martyrs Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru by offering flowers to their portraits. Addressing the public gathering, Roshan Kumar Sinha spoke in detail about the proud and struggling history of the organization. He reminded the youth about Guru Radha Kishan, a fiery communist and the youngest municipal councillor of Delhi, whose historical initiative and vision led to a massive six-day conference in New Delhi from April 28 to May 3, 1959, attended by more than 250 representatives from 11 states. AIYF was born out of the womb of this historic conference, with the main goal to spread the scientific ideas of socialism and become a strong part of the international youth movement by connecting with the World Federation of Democratic Youth. He proudly recalled that at that time, famous actor and leftist thinker Balraj Sahni was elected as the first National President, Sarada Mitra as the General Secretary, and P.K. Vasudevan Nair as the Chairman of the Executive Committee.
National Secretary Harish Bala, National Executive Member Dr. Rakesh Vishwakarma, and All India Students Federation (AISF) National General Secretary Dinesh Sreerangaraj deeply analyzed the current political and economic situation during the event. The speakers stated that the youth today are deeply depressed because of the government's anti-people and communal policies, and job opportunities are continuously shrinking. During this, Central Office Secretary Arshad Siddiqui, Delhi State Vice President Georgekutty, and former State Secretary Shashi Kumar Gautam, along with a large number of students present, stressed the need for student-youth unity and declared a final battle against the government's policies.
Just like in Delhi, young people organized foundation day events in states like Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal. In Punjab specifically, the youth promised to take the ideas of martyr Bhagat Singh to every village and neighbourhood in the state, swearing to fight a decisive and long battle against the drug trade and continuously rising unemployment, which have become the state's biggest problems. In Bihar and Bengal in eastern India, the youth also raised their voices loudly against the commercialization of education and the blind selling of government properties.
The excitement and echo of the foundation day were unprecedented in South India as well. At the AIYF state headquarters in Himayat Nagar, the capital city of Telangana, Hyderabad, State President Dr. Syed Wali Ullah Qadri hoisted the organization's flag with full revolutionary energy. Addressing the youth, he said that they need to be more aware of their rights in today's times. A special tree planting program was also held at Makhdoom Bhavan, the Communist Party of India (CPI) state headquarters in Himayat Nagar. Here, State Working President N. Srikanth and other senior leaders planted a red rose sapling as a symbol of the organization's progressive thinking, the sacrifices of the martyrs, and their responsibility towards environmental protection. Under the Medchal district council of Telangana, the foundation day at Neelam Rajasekhar Reddy Bhavan in ECIL was marked entirely as a 'Struggle Day'. State General Secretary Kalluru Dharmendra hoisted the flag and gave a powerful speech. He heavily criticized the central and state governments for massive cuts in government jobs, promoting the contract labor system, and the skyrocketing cost of education. Highlighting the major demands, he said that the 'Bhagat Singh National Employment Guarantee Act' must be implemented immediately at the national level, all empty government posts must be filled within a fixed timeframe, completely free and high-quality higher education must be ensured, the government must have strict control over fees, and special financial help should be given to small and medium industries to strengthen the rural economy so that youth can get jobs in their own villages.
The 67th foundation day of AIYF was celebrated very grandly at Nalamalla Giriprasad Bhavan in Khammam city of Telangana. Here, AIYF District in-charge Kondaparthi Govinda Rao hoisted the flag, roared, and directly questioned the people in power about where the jobs are and where the employment promises have gone. He gave a strict warning that if the rulers delay issuing job notifications any further, the youth know how to snatch their rights. He made it clear that their movement will not stop without achieving the goal of education for all and work for all. In the same program, District Secretary Nanabala Ramakrishna expressed deep worry and anger over how easily drugs and marijuana are available in the district and the entire state. He said the drug mafia is intentionally targeting depressed and jobless youth, while the administration remains a mute spectator. He appealed to the youth to become soldiers of movements for social and political change instead of ruining their lives by getting caught in this deadly trap of drugs. Hundreds of young people attended this event, including District Assistant Secretary Mamindala Srinath Reddy, Chintala Ramesh, Malleboina Upender, District Working President Maddoj Shravan, and District Vice President Ganaparapu Upender.
The festival of foundation day was also celebrated with full enthusiasm at Dasari Nagabhushanam Rao Bhavan in Vijayawada city of Andhra Pradesh. Here, AIYF State Secretary M. Yugandhar hoisted the organization's red flag. On this occasion, a large number of youth and students attended, including AISF State President G. Valaraju, State Vice President Lanka Govindarajulu, City President Bhargava, City Leader Singamsetty Mohan Prasad, I. Anjaneyulu, Srinu, Vijay, Stalin, Kanaka Rao, and Shiva, presenting a strong example of leftist student-youth unity.
All these grand and energetic programs organized across the country concluded with the sky-piercing slogans of 'Long Live AIYF', 'Long Live Youth Unity', and 'Inquilab Zindabad' echoing in the air. Through these events, the youth of the country have given a clear message that they will no longer remain silent spectators and will fight until their last breath to establish a society free from exploitation, free from drugs, secular, and providing equal opportunities.
