Date:02/09/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/09/02/stories/2006090220600300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Castro's 80th birthday celebration in city

Staff Reporter

Eight books will be released to mark the occasion

SPOTLIGHT ON CUBA: CPI leader R. Nallakannu points to some of the new publications brought out by NCBH in Chennai on Friday. — PHOTO: K.V. SRINIVASAN

Chennai : The New Century Book House (NCBH) and Fidel Castro '80 Celebrations committee is marking the 80th birthday of Cuban leader Fidel Castro here on Sunday.

The ailing Cuban leader turned 80 on August 13, 2006.

R. Nallakannu, CPI leader and Director, NCBH, told mediapersons on Friday that eight books on Marxism, Agriculture and Education in Cuba would be released on the occasion.

The titles are Fundamentals of Marxism, Sustainable Agriculture and Resistance, Cuba: A lighthouse for education, People's Medicine - Cuba's Unique Pathway, Disaster Management in Cuba, Cuban Literature, Cuban Human Rights and Relevance of Cuba Today.

Mr. Nallakannu said that Cuba was an example of a Latin American country which had transcended economic blockades and conspiracies, discovered an alternative agriculture through organic farming, achieved food security and had a good human rights and literary record.

Union Deputy Minister of Finance, S.S. Palani Manikkam, will participate in the valedictory programme on the same day.