Sitaram Yechury

Sitaram Yechury, born on 12 August 1952 in Chennai to S.S. Yechury and Kalpakam Yechury, hailed from a Telugu-speaking Brahmin family. A prominent Indian politician and leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), he played a significant role in shaping the political landscape of India. Throughout his life, Yechury was deeply committed to his beliefs, often standing up passionately for the causes he supported.

His involvement in politics began during the turbulent Emergency period when he became actively involved in student protests. His leadership skills were evident when he was elected President of the JNU Students' Union three times in a single year (1977-78). In 2015, Yechury became the General Secretary of the CPI(M), solidifying his position as a key figure in Indian politics. He was also a long-standing member of the Politburo of CPI(M), serving from 1992 until his passing.

Beyond his political life, Yechury had a keen interest in writing, having authored several influential books, including Left Hand Drive, What is this 'Hindu Rashtra', and Socialism in 21st Century. He also edited works such as People’s Diary of Freedom Movement and The Great Revolt: A Left Appraisal. His writings reflected his deep engagement with economic, social, and cultural issues, with a focus on communalism and secularism.

Yechury had a personal love for lawn tennis, a sport in which he excelled during his university days, even captaining the team and becoming the champion at the inter-college tennis competition at Nizam College, Hyderabad. In his leisure, he enjoyed reading, writing, and listening to music.

He was also an active contributor to the literary world, regularly publishing articles in party publications and mainstream media. He edited Marxist, the theoretical quarterly of the CPI(M), and wrote various booklets addressing key issues like communalism and economic policy.

Yechury was married to Seema Chishti Yechury, and together they had two sons and a daughter. Yechury passed away at the age of 72, after battling respiratory illness, leaving behind a legacy as a steadfast leader and thinker.