On the night of 22 April 1870, in the town of Simbirsk a small outpost of the Russian empire, a child was born to Ilya Ulyanov and maria Alexandranova. He was Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov “Lenin”, a man who would be head of the October revolution which led to the creation of the Soviet Union. Few figures throughout history have been as divisive as Lenin. But on the eve of the 150th anniversary of Lenin, I wish to talk about a man who was and is a huge inspiration to millions- me included.
Born and brought up in a prosperous middle-class family, Lenin turned to revolutionary activity after the execution of his older brother in 1887. He joined the Russian social democratic labour party (RSDLP) and rose through its ranks. However, in 1903, due to an ideological difference, he formed his own faction- the Bolsheviks, which split from the RSDLP. The Bolsheviks were responsible for the October revolution, which pulled Russia out of world war 1 and led to the Russian civil war. The war ended with victory for the Bolsheviks, enabling Lenin to set up multiple socialist republics which merged to form the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). However, Lenin did not live long enough to enjoy the fruits of his labour and passed away in 1924 at the young age of 53.
Like for many communists, Lenin has always been a hero and a revered figure for me. Despite the fall of communism globally and mainstream media quiet often portraying (quiet unfairly might I add) Lenin and communism in a poor light, Lenin still continues to be a massive figure all over the world. His body, which lays in a mausoleum in red square, continues to have endless lines of visitors from around the world.
Many are quick to dismiss the USSR as an authoritarian and oppressive regime, but conveniently discount all the reforms and policies enabled by Lenin which have directly benefited the lives of millions. Under him, Russia had established universal adult franchise, something that was a vague concept in so called “democracies” of the UK and US. Lenin was a huge advocate of equality among gender and classes, perhaps even the most popular feminist of his day. His progressive policies such as legalising abortion, criminalizing martial rape and decriminalizing homosexuality, were unheard of back in the day. Additionally, he ensured free education and health care for all citizens in the USSR. He was also a great believer in the right to self-determination of colonized nations around the world and firmly supported the India movement for independence (the USSR was in fact the first nation to recognize India’s bid for freedom).
On a personal note, Lenin remains a towering figure of the October revolution and a man who freed the oppressed masses and with an undying will and tireless( he worked 18-20 hours a day, which contributed to his early death) brought around massive change and inspired generations to come to believe that a fairer and just world was always possible. He cared not for personal gains, leading a modest life and working to better the lives of the ordinary masses who lived in a backward agricultural empire, lacking equal and fair opportunities and facilities. Lenin always sympathized with the colonized world, being a staunch opponent of imperialism. Many communists and leftists from across India followed his teachings including freedom fighters and revolutionaries such as bhagat Singh, raj guru and Sukhdev.
To conclude with a quote of Lenin, “sometimes history just needs a push”. In a world plagued with rampant disparities, corruption, injustice, exploitation, discrimination, racism, misogyny, bigotry and repression from the US to the middle and even in our own country, it is pertinent to for the ideas and thoughts of Lenin to be kept alive in the collective memories of the people of the world. The people’s love for him despite the circumstances show that he will forever live on in our hearts. So, this 22nd April, on his 150th birth anniversary, lets keep his struggle for a better and brighter world alive and in his words, “May the revolution live on forever!”.
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