Our great country is celebrating the 79th Independence Day on today, the 15th August, 2025. It was on this day in 1947 , India became free from the British imperialism. In the prolonged struggle for independence, thousands of freedom fighters had to sacrifice their life. So let us remember those brave hearts, the martyrs and pay our respectful homages to all of them.

During the 78 years of freedom , India has been able to make progress in many fields and has become as a force to reckon. At the same time, we are facing serious challenges, particularly in the living condition of the people. It is a worrisome fact that still 23.4 cr Indian people out of 140 cr are in extreme poverty. But we have 191 billionaires ( 26 added in 2024) and 85,698 super rich. These figures glaringly show the alarming inequality among the people. Employment opportunities have become a distinct possibility for the youth. Permanency is a dream of yester years with introduction of contract workers and outsourcing of even government jobs. So ,to suit the new situation, the hard won 29 labour laws are replaced with four labour codes. The super rich and the corporates are being given concession after concession while the PSUs are neglected and eliminated. These challenges are being resisted by the working class and the latest being the General Strike on 9th July, 2925 , 23rd after implementation of LPG.

Constitution and Secularism are facing serious threats and almost all the constitutional institutions have been made loyal to the ruling class. Concerted efforts are there to divide the people in the name of religion and caste. People belonging to the minorities and the Dalits are being attacked . These are the biggest challenges and have to be vigilant and cautious. So our prime duty is to safeguard the Constitution and Secularism.

Another attack is inflicted on the pensioners in the name of Validation of Pension Rules with the intention to divide the pensioners and deny the due benefits. It is being resisted organisationally and legally by forging unity of almost all Pensioners Organisations . The remaining phases of agitational programme of Forum of Civil Pensioners Associations have to be made most successful.

So, on the occasion of this Independence Day, let us renew the pledge to continue our fight against all the injustices and for the legitimate rights.