“ECONOMIC equality, social harmony (Samajik Samarasata) and cultural nationalism formed the base of the thought process of the late Dattopant Thengadi. He has not only propagated and preached these values, but also created institutional framework for transforming these ideals into practice. Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS), Swadeshi Jagaran Manch (SJM), Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat, are some of the institutions which are instrumental in transforming economic, social, and cultural ideals preached by the late Thengadiji. He was a great thinker, expert organiser and social activist. His life was his mission.”
The above views were expressed as tributes to late Dattopant Thengadi by Nitin Gadkari, National President of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) while delivering the first Dattopant Thengadi Memorial Lecture organised by the Late Dattopant Thengadi Smriti Pratishthan, Nagpur.
The programme was held at Arvi, in Wardha District, the birthplace of late Thengadiji. Shri Madan Das Devi, Akhil Bharatiya Pracharak Pramukh of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) presided over the function while National Secretary of BJP Shri P Murlidhar Rao, who was close to Thengadiji, and former convenor of Swadeshi Jagaran Manch (SJM) also graced the occasion as special guest. Well-known cardiologist of Arvi Dr Arun Pawde was prominently present on the occasion.
Addressing the virtually over-flooded auditorium Shri Gadkari quoted a biblical saying “the best should suffer so that the rest can prosper” mentioned that this was the central theme of the entire thought process of late Thengadiji. He always cared for the uplift of the depressed and exploited sections of the society. He was selfless worker and great thinker. The views expressed by him would be studied and implemented for making India a strong, prosperous and vibrant nation in the world, Gadkari said to the thunderous applause from the audience.
Senior RSS functionary Shri Madan Das in his presidential address said that the late Thengadiji was a true swayamsevak of the RSS. Thengadiji’s greatness lies in the fact that while working within the frame work of the RSS he created organisations for transforming the society into a single Hindu family. In his last days Thengadiji was not holding any post in any of the organisations he created, yet he was respected by all. This showed his ‘unattached involvement’ as a true swayamsevak, Shri Madan Das said.
Shri Madan Das further said that Thengadiji gave a new dimension to the Swadeshi thought and movement. Globalisation was nothing but transforming the world into a one integrated global market. Thengadiji said that the world was not a market. We should work as a one family. The process of globalisation was aimed at exploitation of the Third World countries by the developed nations and as such Thengadiji was opposed to it as he was against any kind of exploitation.
The RSS functionary, who was very closely associated with Thengadiji, said that he was opposed to Capitalism and Communism because both the systems were exploitative in nature and divisive in action. Thengadiji’s thoughts were very much relevant to tide over the present global economic crisis, Shri Madan Das said.
Shri P Murlidhar Rao in his speech said that the late Thengadiji was not only a good organiser, labour leader and a thinker, but he was also a visionary. When he entered the labour movement, the Communists were dominating that field with their ideology of class war between the exploiter and the exploited. Thengadiji stressed on the ideology that the industrialists and workers were members of the one family. He introduced the family concept in the labour movement and said that the problems should be solved by both the parties through mutual conciliation and trust. The workers should be given their due return for their work. He gave a call to nationalise the labour and industrialise the nation, Shri Rao said.
Today the world is in crisis. Communism has failed and Capitalism is also counting its last days. Thengadiji wanted an alternative to these two thoughts and ideological systems and he gave his “Third Way” to overcome these crisis, Shri Rao said and added that the “Third Way is the only solution for the present economic crisis the world finds itself engulfed with.”
Principal Suresh Tapas, Working President of the Pratishthan made the introductory remarks about the organisation and its objectives. He said that the Pratishthan would focus on the thoughts, ideas and ideals Thengadiji practiced, preached and propagated all his life and would also conduct deep research into their practical application in the present context.
Anil Joshi proposed vote of thanks. Gunakar Deshpande presented a solo song while Smt Ghogle recited Vande Mataram at the end of the programme.
The ancestral house of the late Thengadiji was also visited by each one who came for the programme from far off places in Vidarbha region and paid floral tributes to the leader.
Prominent amongst those who attended the programme were Arvi MLA Dadarao Keche, Sakoli MLA Nana Patole, President of the Pratishthan Principal Yoganand Kale, Secretary Prof Shrikant Deshpande, Shri Udayrao Patwardhan, SN Deshpande and Vasantrao Pimpalapure of BMS, Dr Annaji Murkute of BKS, Shri Rajabhau Pophali of Grahak Panchayat and thousands of admirers of the late Dattopant Thengadi.
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