Gokarna Peethadhishwar Shankaracharya Raghaveshwar Bharati received the 20th Dr Hedgewar Prajna Samman in Kolkata on June 13. Instituted by Shree Burrabazar Kumarsabha Pustakalaya in 1989 the Samman was presented by RSS Sarkaryavah Shri Sureshrao Joshi who is popularly known as Bhaiyaji Joshi. The Samman consists of a cheque of Rs 51,000, a memento and a citation.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Joshi remembered the life of RSS founder Dr Hedgewar and described his personality in three words—conviction, dedication and mission. He said Dr Hedgewar came to Kolkata for his studies of medical science. It did not mean that there was no arrangement of studying medical science in Maharashtra in those days. He basically came to Kolkata to be a part of the freedom movement, as Kolkata was then the prime centre of revolutionary activities. Consequently, the second RSS Sarsanghachalak Shri MS Golwalkar too spent many years in Bengal. Today, there are people who want reward in exchange of their services. There are also people who want reward even without doing anything. But Dr Hedgewar was the person who in spite of becoming a doctor did nothing for his personal gain and fully worked for the upliftment of the Hindu society.
Receiving the Samman Swami Raghaveshwar Bharati said since it is no ritual for a saint to receive such honour, I dedicate it to the gomata. Swamiji has preserved as many as 32 rare breeds of Indian cows and he is the prime inspiration behind the Vishwa Mangal Gau Gram Yatra to be taken out all over the country this year. He compared Dr Hedgewar with Adi Shankaracharya. “Both started their work against the tides of the society at that time and succeeded in their endeavours. Adi Shankara-charyaji lived only for 32 years and worked only for 16 years and established Math-Mandirs throughout the country. Similarly after the foundation of RSS, Dr Hedgewar worked for 15 years only and today we found that Sangh work has reached the length and breadth of the country as well as abroad”, he said. Presiding over the function noted industrialist and head of the Imami Group of Industries Shri Radheshyam Agarwal said the Kumarsabha Pustakalaya selected the proper person for the Samman.
(By Basudeb Pal)
