When CPM sent wheat to Cuba in crisis

Gagandeep Singh

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Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, November 26

During the economic crisis in Cuba in early 1990s, it was Punjab that came forward to bail Cuba out at the call of Harkishan Singh Surjeet, former CPI(M) general secretary, when the communist country was under the presidentship of Fidel Castro.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union and the socialist rules in East European countries, Cuba faced the hardest time ever because of the economic crisis. The period is also known as ‘Special Period’ in Cuba.

Comrade Harkishan Singh Surjeet made efforts to contribute for the biggest solidarity aid ever to the communist country. He called upon farmers in Punjab and some other states to collect grain and other things, including soap.

Gurchetan Singh, Harkishan’s son, said, “My father gave a call to farmers in Punjab to donate grains and other essential articles. He wanted to send a ship loaded with these to Cuba. Consequently, he sent over 10,000 tonnes of wheat and other articles that cost crores of rupees to transport through ship.”

Sandeep Singh, grandson of Harkishan Singh Surjeet, said bread made of wheat sent by his grandfather was called ‘Bread of India’. In response, Fidel Castro termed the move as an inspiration and moral encouragement.

Gurchetan Singh said, “Fidel Castro used to consider his father as his elder brother. And for my father, Cuba was like a second home.”