May 1st is celebrated as International Workers' Day or May Day in many countries around the world, including India. It is a day to celebrate the achievements of workers and the labour movement and to reflect on the ongoing struggles for workers' rights and social justice. In India, May Day has a long and rich history. The labour movement in India can be traced back to the early 20th century, when workers began organizing themselves into unions to demand better working conditions and wages. The first labour organization in India was the Madras Labour Union, formed in 1918 by B.P. Wadia and V.V. Giri.

One of the most significant events in the history of the labour movement in India was the textile workers' strike in Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1928. More than 50,000 workers went on strike to demand better wages and working conditions, and the strike lasted for nearly four months. The strike ultimately ended in a victory for the workers, marking a turning point in the labour movement in India.

Since then, May Day has been observed as a public holiday in India, and it is marked by rallies, demonstrations, and other events organized by labour unions and workers' organizations. These events are held in almost all districts across the country. They bring together workers from all sectors of the economy to demand better wages, working conditions, and social protection.

Over the years, the labour movement in India has achieved many significant victories, including the right to form unions, the right to strike, and the implementation of minimum wage laws. However, workers in India still face many challenges, including low wages, unsafe working conditions, and job insecurity.

In recent years, May Day in India has taken on new significance as a day of protest against the growing power of corporations and the increasing precariousness of work. For example, many workers in India took to the streets to demand better wages, working conditions, and social protections in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. As India continues to develop and modernize, the challenges facing workers and the labour movement will only become more complex. However, May Day serves as a reminder of the power of collective action and the importance of workers' rights in building a just and equitable society.