Prof Aijaz Ahmad speaks on the transformations sweeping across the continent of hope. He discusses Emir Sader's important book, The New Mole; the results of Venezuela's recent elections; he takes issue with Slavoj Zizek's assessment of the revolutionary process in Venezuela; and he discusses the idea of 'twenty-first century socialism', and how it differs from the socialism of the previous century. His interlocutor in this conversation is Sudhanva Deshpande of LeftWord Books, and the venue is May Day Cafe in New Delhi.

On 1st May, Leftword opened along with its bookshop, a Cafe. This is part of a cultural complex which houses also a Theatre Studio, a place where theatre groups like Jan Natya Manch can rehearse and cultural activists get together. On this occasion Taimur Rehman of the well-known Laal Band of Pakistan sang a song of Faiz remembering martyrs, particularly Julius and Ethel. Newsclick has done a feature remembering martyrs who have died in the struggle for a just world, starting with Hay Market Five, Bhagat Singh, Che Guevara, Amilcar Cabral and many others.