'Castro inspired the world and not just Communists'

BENGALURU: The death of legendary Cuban leader Fidel Castro, who led his country for nearly five decades and took on the mighty United States, was mourned by many  in the city, especially those associated with the emancipation of workers and backward classes. “I met Fidel Castro in 2000 and heard his speech. Even though he spoke in Spanish, his sentiments were moving.” said Dwarakanath Chokka, former chairman of State Backward Class Commission and a city based advocate.

“In all 182 countries were a part of the conference and without any discrimination we all put forth our thoughts and idea in front of him. He was as humble as he was great. It is a disheartening loss to us,” he added. Justice Gopala Gowda, a former Supreme Court judge, echoed similar sentiment.  “The world has lost a great revolutionary. I say world and not just communists, because he was indeed a great leader and led his country to a much better position. In the current times, a developing country like ours needs a leader like him,” he told Deccan Chronicle.

He felt the youth must be told about Castro’s legacy. “The youth must know how a country, despite economic struggles, can succeed. His ideals will inspire people for a long time to come,” he added. DYFI state president Muneer Katipalla said, “Che Guevara and Fidel Castro have influenced the Indian youth in many ways. Their comradeship is an outstanding model for all activists engaged in fighting for the cause of the people as a whole. For all those who are involved in social activism, the US is the first enemy. Castro showed the world how to take on a giant like the US even though his country was small. He is a role model for all. Even though he is no more, he will continue to influence the youth in the country through his ideals.”

National Federation of Indian Women Karnataka president Jyoti A remarked that Castro was the voice of the underdogs in the society and will always be cherished. “Castro was a voice of the oppressed and a revolutionary. His contributions to women’s rights and equality are remarkable. It will not be an exaggeration if we call his demise a loss for the oppressed people everywhere. We are deeply saddened by his death,” she said.

R.N. Padmanabha, a professor of Journalism and Communication Studies, University of Mysore, said Castro was a symbol for resistance to the US, and he showed people that size of one’s international borders didn’t matter, but what mattered was unity. “One thing is for certain, he brought his country forward. The US used every political mantra to beat him over but they could not. The world should learn from Castro’s example that you can withstand the greatest hurdles, even if you are small. One should have the dedication, selflessness and the will to serve,” he remarked.