Thiruvananthapuram, Sunday 09 May 2010: CPM general secretary Prakash Karat inaugurated the new headquarters of Deshabhimani, the CPM organ, in the presence of a galaxy of luminaries from different walks of life.

In his inaugural address, Karat said it was heartening to note that Deshabhimani had become a major newspaper in Malayalam and the voice of the working people of Kerala.

The paper had passed through harsh times to reach its present stature. Under the British Rule, the paper was subjected to repression, but every attempt to ban it had only enabled the Communists raise more fund to revive and sustain it, he pointed out.

Karat said the paper’s strength was its roots among the people and its role in the anti-imperialist and working class struggles besides its efforts to express the aspirations of the people of Kerala.

Switching on the new printing machine installed on the new premises, Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan said the paper had scaled great heights after being launched as a weekly way back in 1942.

Chairing the meeting, CPM State secretary Pinarayi Vijayan said Deshabhimani was the voice of the oppressed and the underprivileged and a frontline campaigner for the toiling masses.

Offering felicitations, actor Mohanlal said the way Deshabhimani articulated issues had special significance in Kerala society.