Remain United in Proletarian Struggle, Says Che Guevara’s Daughter Aleida

The daughter of the legendary Communist leader Ernesto Che Guevara, Dr Aleida Guevara, arrived in Kolkata for a two-day visit. She was welcomed by large crowds—most of them students—who gathered at College Street sporting Che Guevara t-shirts and caps.

“The warmth and enthusiasm of the people of this city have remained the same over the years,” said an overwhelmed Guevara in her speech, which was met with cheers from the crowd. She has returned to the city after 24 years. She was also seen breaking into a dance to the tune of the Cuban song Guantanamera.

Dr Guevara was greeted by a choir comprising of 100 artists, led by renowned composer Kalyan Sen Barat. They performed Bengali translations of Cuban songs such as Guantanamera by Jose Marti and Until Always by Carlos Puebla. With clapping and a Mexican wave, the crowd displayed their enthusiasm.

Earlier on Friday, a felicitation ceremony was held for Dr Guevara and her daughter and economist Estefania Guevara at Jadavpur University by the Arts Faculty student’s union led by the Students' Federation of India (SFI). Speaking at the ceremony, the human rights activist advised the students to keep the flag of the proletarian struggle high.

Dr Guevera spoke in Spanish which was translated into Bengali by one of the SFI activists.

“As my father believed, one should not concede defeat in the struggle. You will have to fight and move towards the path of victory. So, comrades, move ahead. Study more and fight more. Be a good professional in your respective areas. Never retreat. Always be with people despite whatever heights you may achieve. Always be in touch with the masses. You must be united in your proletarian struggle. That was a lesson from Commadante Che Guevara,” she said after the felicitation programme as the tune of Hasta La Victoria Siempre played in the background. The students responded cheerfully with slogans such as ‘Inquilab Zindabad’ and ‘El Pueblo Unido Jamas Sera Vencido (The people united shall always be victorious)’.

Speaking at the gathering of Doctors at the NRS Hospital in Kolkata on Saturday, the physician said that Cuba is providing the best quality health services, including cancer treatment and surgery, to its people and that her country is eager to work with Indian doctors for the people in need here.

“Despite various economic obstacles, Cuba continues to provide the best quality health services in the world with equal rights to all sections of its people. Cuba is leading the world in the discovery of cures for various diseases, including cancer treatment and surgery,” she added.

“Like in the past, Cuban doctors and health workers are still working in several countries on different missions and they will continue to do so in the future to show solidarity with the hardworking people of the world,” said Dr Guevara.