Even those of us who are not communist or even dyed-in-the-wool socialist/progressive would be well-served to pay attention. I remember having this thought on EMS Namboodiripad's death; he was the first communist anywhere on the planet to be elected to executive office. And this is a similar milestone not just in Indian, but in global political development: the retiring of a generation of communist leaders from about the only real group of communists anywhere on the planet--or at least the first--to have real electoral achievements:

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050407/asp/frontpage/story_4584986.asp