Jyoti Basu is a prominent figure in Indian politics for over fifty years, first as a young Communist party worker and legislator, than as a leader of opposition in West Bengal legislature and finally as Chief Minister of West Bengal for an unprecedented five terms, from 1997 onwards.

8^th July 1914 was an unceasing rainy day when Jyoti Base was born in a rented house at 43/1, Harrison Road. His father, Nisikanta Basu, was distinguished medical practitioner. When Basu was six years old, he was admitted to Loreto Kindergarten at Dharamtala. In 1921 he was admitted to the second standard of St. Xavier’s school after he left Loreto. By passing senior Cambridge from St. Xavier School in 1931, he had taken admission to Presidency College, Calcutta, and completed his graduation with English (Hons.) in the year 1935. Basu sail for London in October 1935 and takes admission in University College of London.

From the very young age, Basu started taking interest in politics. In 1936 he joins London Majlis and elected as Secretary of London Majlis in 1937. Basu returns to India on 1^st January 1940 and formally joins the Communist Party in India. He married to Basanti (Chabi) Ghosh on 10^th January 1940. On 11^th May 1942 his wife Chabi dies of typhoid and his mother Hemlata Basu also passes away. After 6 years Basu again get married to Kamal Basu on 5^th December 1948 and gave birth to a male child Subhabrata (Chandan) Basu on 12^th September 1952.

Basu was selected as a PCO (Provincial Committee Organizer) of the Bengal Provincial Committee. He takes part in all kind of political activities across the world. Basu laid a good foundation stone for Marxist in India. In 1977 he won the assemble seat from Satgachia and sworn in as Chief Minister of West Bengal. On 21^st June onwards continuously for an unprecedented five terms.

As Basu approaches his eighty sixth year, though he is still very fit and not ageing fast at all, he longs for a respite from the arduous pace of work and the responsibility which he has been carrying over the last sixty years.

It is needless to say, even if Basu relinquishes the chief minister ship, he will remain one of very few towering statesman in India. Basu have the ability to took beyond the immediate tasks as a committed party worker. As such Basu had no political guru, he was self-taught, but he learnt much from Kakababu (Muzaffar Ahmed) and Saroj Mukhopadhyay. He works as the sole coordinator between various ministries. Every flimsy problem tends to cross his desk. He dislikes procrastination and inept administration. On the national scene, Basu has emerged as a compelling mediator and arbitrator at time of stress. In moments of national crises Basu’s has always been the voice of sanity and strong common sense. All though in his political life, he had never suffered from indecision.

In brief, his achievements will be judged by the extent to which he has transformed his ideas into reality. The major achievements of Basu in domestic affairs, since he came to power, are political stability and democracy; land reforms and betterment of rural economies; a thoroughly non-communal ambience in the state; and evolving a viable and multifaceted industrial policy even with limited powers. The industrial scene in the state has already changed significantly over the past few years and he intends to step up the pace much more. These contributions form quite an impressive record as a statesman.

Joined politics on his return to India. Became Member of the communist party and tradeunionist  particularly in the Railway workers' Front.

• Secretary, West Bengal Provincial Committee of Communist Party of India (1952 - 57)

• Elected to Bengal Legislative Assembly in 1946.

• Elected to West Bengal Legislative Assembly in 1952, 1957, 1962,1967, 1969, 1971, 1977, 1982, 1987, 1991, 1996.

• Leader of the Oppostion (1957 - 67). Deputy Chief Minister, Government of West Bengal (1967, 1969). Chief Minister since 1977.

• Member, Central Committee and Politbrureau of C.P.I.(M).