r/ussr

Born in Dagestan to a Mountain Jewish family, Abramov survived being wounded six times as he literally fought his way on foot from the Battle of Stalingrad all the way to Berlin. His most legendary exploit occurred in Poland during the brutal fight for a fortress in Poznań. When his battalion commander was killed in action, Abramov immediately took command. Under heavy fire, he physically scaled the fortress wall to gain entry, leading his men to breach the defenses and conquer the stronghold. For this, he was awarded the highest distinction: Hero of the Soviet Union.

[The book is in Bengali language]

The book is written by the renowned Indian astrophysicist Meghnad Saha. In 1945, after the war, he travelled to Soviet Russia at the invitation of Leontyevich Komarov to attend the 220th anniversary of the USSR Academy of Sciences. The book is a travelogue by Dr Saha, along with his political reflections on the communist revolution of 1917 led by the Bolsheviks.

But it is more than that. Dr Saha writes about the industries, dams, research institutes, and universities established and agricultural developments under Stalin and the broader developments that followed. The book shows how one of the poorest countries on earth, which once produced less electricity than a single Indian city like Kolkata in 1917, became one of the most developed countries in the world.

As a scientist, Dr Saha also examines the scientific approach used to deal with various aspects of life in Soviet Russia. He compares how scientists were treated under the Tsar and later under the Soviets, especially during the leadership of Lenin and Stalin. He highlights how strong institutional support and a scientific outlook helped the country become one of the most scientifically advanced nations.

The book also draws comparisons with the USSR to understand what steps India should take after independence to become a developed country. Dr Saha contrasts the scientific socialist approach of the communists with what he describes as the “mediaeval” philosophical methods of Gandhian thought, while still maintaining full respect for Mahatma Gandhi.

I think this book should be read by every Indian who is anti-communist or anti-Stalinist in general, to better understand the scale of Cold War propaganda we have been exposed to over the years. It is one of the most insightful books I have ever read.

I've tried searching them, but nothing like these hats appeared.

Just thought you might know what they are called.