Schemes like ‘Illam Thedi Kalvi’ inspired by Russian leader Lenin, says former Chief Secretary V. Irai Anbu

Schemes like ‘Illam Thedi Kalvi,’ were inspired by Russian revolutionary leader Lenin’s initiative to educate women in their houses, said former Chief Secretary V. Irai Anbu.  

Speaking at the book launch of Lenin- selected works (a set of 12 books) published by New Century Book House (NCBH) here on Sunday, he said, Lenin when heading the government, proclaimed that abolishing illiteracy was his first step towards achieving other dreams.  

“To compare it with our State, ‘Arivozhi,’ movement which educated rural masses, went hand in hand, though in different time periods, in abolishing illiteracy,” he noted.  

To escape prosecution and avoid getting identified by the rulers, Lenin, throughout his life had written in about 153 different pen names, Mr. Irai Anbu added.  

Akin to Lenin, former Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai, had also written in about 21 different pen names, for almost similar reasons, he said. 

“The younger generation, who loses hope even for trivial reasons, should read Lenin and his works to learn how he had spent 54 years of his life for the welfare of others,” Mr. Irai Anbu added.  

“The huge volume of books he had written were not a product of his thoughts born during his leisure time. He thought and reflected his ideas amidst escaping oppressors, organising protests and living in prisons,” he noted.  

Lauding NCBH, he said, the publishing house was one of the major reasons for him to take up reading habit during his college days.  

“The NCBH books used to be sold at very cheap price outside our college in Coimbatore. If not for these affordable books, many of the students would be unprivileged to read about great scholars, thinkers and histories,” he added.  

The content produced by the publishing house was extremely rich in the subject and any person reading their books would get a holistic idea about the particular topic, he lauded.  

Communist Party of India State secretary R. Mutharasan said, “Lenin, who proclaimed to make education available for all sections of people, that too in their own language, was one of the appropriate leaders for Tamil Nadu.” 

“Lenin, who is popularly known for its Communist ideology, is usually associated with Communist parties, but he is a leader who should be read and celebrated for his intelligence and his work towards achieving a just society,” he added.

Published - December 15, 2024 09:27 pm IST