|
|
His work is to be read to know the answers to various questions,
i.e., as to why Communism did not emerge triumphant in India
though it "registered spectacular success." Should
loyalty to the cause or to the party override all other
loyalties? Is Communism about geographical expansion, or should
it be a way of life? Why did the Communists boycott the Quit
India Movement? Why did they support the Emergency declared by
Mrs Indira Gandhi? In fact, besides giving an insight into
Communism, the work also covers the historic moments of the
nation. It is the history of India given by a luminary who has
lived the century and feels lucky to have got rich by the
experience. For Mohit Sen, distancing himself from the Communist
Party was an obvious one, for he believed that the Communists in
India never understood the importance of nationalism. As he
says, the Communists should have been more a ‘part of the
main.’ Prof Bhupinder Brar, Department of Political Science,
Panjab University, says, "Mohit Sen believed that
nationalism and socialism have to be put together. You cannot
pit one against the other. Sen was all for the reforms
undertaken in the now defunct USSR. In a nutshell, Sen believed
that duty to one’s country is of paramount significance and
this is reflected in his talks and in his various works."
Dedicated to his
wife, Vanaja, the autobiography takes the reader through a
journey of relationships. And the relationship that stands out
is the one he shared with his wife whom he calls the
"great-rooted blossomer."
The chapters are
well divided, and one that holds the special attention of the
reader is of the time the author spent in China when Mao was
leading the revolutionary processes. It is an amazing account as
to how Communists in China slowly spread their influence among
the masses.
Whether it is
about the national issues like Ranadive Line or "the three
Ps" document, talks with Pandit Nehru or his daughter or
his grandson; Operation Bluestar or the Ram-Janambhoomi-Babri
Masjit dispute or about other Communists like Ajoy Ghosh, P.C.
Joshi, Dange, Dr Adhikari, etc., Sen has covered each with
discussions and given his opinion as a close attentive observer.
Besides this, his account of international issues like formation
of Bangladesh, the China-USSR and US-USSR relations, India’s
endeavour to develop all have been covered minutely. In his
title he calls himself an Indian Communist, for he is a
Communist who held the interests of the nation as close to his
heart as he did the principles of Marxism. While remaining
active in his own way in politics, Sen talks of giving away the
baton to younger recruits of Communism who, he hopes, will surge
ahead on a new path to give the nation and Communism a new lease
of life. Praising the Communists of yesteryears, who struggled
for socialism and equality, he hopes the new recruits will
follow them and yet bring forth positive changes without getting
involved in the murky waste.
His explanation of
Communism, its core ideas, which influenced and attracted great
intellectuals to its fold, and about the movement in India have
been written without mincing words. A chapter, Reflections,
clears whatever doubts one has regarding Mohit Sen’s ideas and
his views on Communism.
A well-edited
book, the publishers have done justice to Sen’s memories and
his decision to put them on paper. An inspired book, it serves
its purpose of understanding the life of an Indian Communist. It
is an eloquent expression of the author’s passionate concern
for his cause and his principles.
|
"FROM
each according to his ability to each according to his needs,
"Mohit Sen sends through his work the message across as to what
Communists like him have aimed and worked for in their lives.
Believing like Lenin in the extinction of all politics, and that the
government of men will be replaced by administration of things, the
Communists want freedom from the fetters imposed by capitalism on
the developing forces of production. Reminiscing about his childhood
and past experiences, the late Mohit Sen, in simple words, thanks
the circumstances for placing him wherever he was, which helped him
in various ways to develop his thinking and assess the course of his
life. What is prominent about the work is how the author remembers
his acquaintances, friends and relatives. Besides mentioning the
various persons, he talks about the qualities, the contribution they
made to whatever cause they were living for, i.e., "for ending
oppression and ensuring human emancipation."
