Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 24 2010:
CPI National Council member Dr M Nara has hailed Cuba as one nation which stands firmly for the oppressed, poor, working class people of the world.
Dr Nara made this remark at the Vth Asia-Pacific Regional Conference of Solidarity with Cuba held at Laos capital Vientiane on March 19 and 20 .
Speaking to media persons after his return from Vientiane at Irabot Bhavan here today, Dr Nara said that the conference jointly hosted by Laos-Cuba Friendship Association and Cuban Institute for Friendship with the People was attended by 197 delegates from different countries.
Several recommendations were adopted during the conference.
Some of the recommendations were release of five Cuban heroes being imprisoned in a US jail for the last 11 years by US president and Nobel Peace Prize winner Barack Obama, return of naval base Guantanamo, being occupied by US illegally, to Cuba, rejection of the US attempts to build up military bases in some Latin American countries and defence of the right to self-determination, sovereignty and independence of the people of Argentina and Cuba, Dr Nara said.
Cuba has demonstrated to the world that working class people too can live with dignity without being oppressed.
He claimed that the Solidarity of Cuba campaign has been successfully intensified worldwide.
Out of 32,000 foreign students studying medical sciences in Cuba, 800 students are given free education.
Around 118 countries of the world recognise and maintain relation with the Cuban medical system.
So far, Cuba has restored eye-sight of around seven lakh foreign nationals.
Dr Nara asserted that the socialist ideas of Cuba which has also earned the distinction of being the highest producer of sugar and dairy need serious study in Manipur.
As part of his journey to the conference, Dr Nara also visited Bhutan where he met Education Minister of the Bhutan Government Thakur Powyel.
During the brief meeting, Thakur Powyel reportedly proposed Dr Nara to send some prominent teachers of Science, Mathematics and English from Manipur to Bhutan.
The proposal of the Bhutan Education Minister would be taken up at Government level and necessary efforts would be made to fulfil the proposal, Dr Nara added.