The Phoenix Moment: Challenges Confronting the Indian
Left by PRAFUL BIDWAI
Praful
Bidwai (1949-2015) one of our finest public intellectual, outstanding
journalist contributed a lot in almost
all the progressive and left journals has authored the above book with all
seriousness. I have seen that book first at com D.Gnanaiah’s residence some
months back and com D Pandiyan repeatedly mentioned about this book in the
course of his lecture at Pondicherry last month
The
wrapper of this great book (great labour of Praful ) goes like this."The
Phoenix Moment seeks to understand how a communist movement, almost unique
within the world’s capitalist democracies, flourished for so long in India, and
what accounts for its initially gradual and then rapid decline. It also asks
how far and in what manner the Left has accomplished its goals; whether it
could have achieved more and what its future prospects are. Crucially,
political analyst Praful Bidwai investigates whether the Left’s core agenda of
progressive or socialist transformation can yet be reinvented and restored to
relevance – either with its own agency or through other forces, formations and
initiatives. Given the paucity of analytical literature on the mainstream Left
at the national level, Bidwai’s timely and deeply insightful book fills a
crucial void."
Praful
took great pains and narrated in various chapters about the origin, growth,
achievements and decline of left specially CPM
(also CPI). In the Chapters of WB, Kerala and Tripura one can find fine analysis of Bidwai from various
sources like books, research papers, thesis, Govt docs, Party docs etc. He has
projected his five axes narratives for what is to be done for rejuvenation of
left forces and movement in the coming days. One need not agree with all the
suggestions but ignoring many will not help Left to advance. He has with utmost
seriousness debated against democratic centralism and advocated for free
internal debate and even right to bring the same in the public domain in order
to safeguard the organization of the party and left. I think no communist party
will accept this suggestion. This book must be read by all English knowing
people interested in contemporary Indian politics - especially comrades
of left movement should read and react. Though mere criticism will not help but
any constructive dialogue should be welcomed and should get its prime
importance in left circles without ignoring or showing indifference
The
book itself is a voluminous one(586 pages) also ends with voluminous Notes and bibliography
even to 100 pages
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