“Ashokji’s life is an open book, which one can read any time. It is the quality that should be emulated by one and all. We should also try to emulate the feeling of devotion to the nation that Ashokji has. We can learn discipline, commitment, devotion, service feeling, love to the nation, farsightedness and many other such qualities from him,” said RSS Sarsanghachalak Shri Mohan Bhagwat, while releasing a book on VHP patron Shri Ashok Singhal’s life in New Delhi on October 1. The Hindi book, Ashok Singhal: Hindutva Ke Purodha has been written by Shri Mahesh Bhagchandaka. The function was organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad on Shri Ashokji’s 90 birthday. Describing Ashok Singhalji as a tapasvi, Sarsanghachalak Shri Bhagwat further said the book is worth reading and emulating by all. He recalled his long association with Ashokji. Veteran saint and founder of Bharat Mandir Haridwar Swami Satyamitrananda Giri said he look at Ashokji as a “social person and a Mahatma”. “I feel we should have called Ashokji as a Mahatma at the age of 60 only. One who has patience is a Mahatma. Every nerve of Ashokji has patience. Such Mahatmas are rarely born on the earth,” he said.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said Ashokji never crossed limits in his life. He is an asset to the nation, he said. He underlines Shri Ramjanmabhoomi movement as a big event of Independent Bharat. On this occasion Shri Ashok Singhal said organisation and not an individual is important in the Sangh. “What I am today is because of the blessings of my Gurudev. It was because of his blessings that I worked for the Sangh in Kanpur for 18 years, while serving him. My Guruji used to say that Bharat will rise again, which seems to be true today,” he said.
Writer of the book Shri Mahesh Bhagchandaka said Ashokji is a warrior who fought for protection of Hindutva and Hindu culture throughout the world. He dedicated 65 years of his life to the nation as a Sangh Pracharak. “This book will help the readers understand Shri Ramjanmabhoomi movement, campaigns against untouchability and above all the Hindutva,” he said.
In the beginning a documentary on the life of Ashokji was shown. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, RSS Sarkaryavah Shri Bhaiyaji Joshi, BJP president Shri Amit Shah, Swami Chinmyananda, Didi Maa Sadhvi Ritambhara, Swami Chidananda Muni, Shri Rameshbhai Ojha, Shri Govinddev Giri, Swami Gyanananda Maharaj, Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avadheshananda Giri, Swami Ramanandacharyaji, etc expressed their feelings about Ashokji through the documentary.
VHP general secretary Shri Champat Rai conducted the proceedings. Prominent among those who were present on the occasion included RSS Sarkaryavah Shri Bhaiyaji Joshi, senior Sangh Pracharak Shri Madhubhai Kulkarni, veteran VHP leader Shri Vishnu Hari Dalmia, Didi Maa Sadhvi Ritambhara, Union Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, etc. On this occasion Shri Vishnu Hari Dalmia conveyed a message to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi through Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh to “gift Sri Ram Mandir in Ayodhya to Ashok Singhal on his 90th birth anniversary.
