Through his meticulous work and a distinct style of showing the path, Sureshrao Ketkar will remain a guiding force for millions of Swayamsevaks
Pramod Kumar
Veteran Sangh Pracharak Suresh Ramchandra Ketkar passed away at Swami Vivekananda Hospital at Latur, Maharashtra, on July 16. He was 82. He was unwell for some time following Parkinson disease and was undergoing treatment in Latur. Apart from a big family of lakhs of Sangh workers who enjoyed his guidance and affection for about six decades, he is survived by a brother and a nephew in the family.
Originally a swayamsevak of Pune, Sureshrao Ketkar after completing B.Sc and B.Ed did teaching at the Alegaovkar School in Khiraki for about a year. But, he left the job to become a Pracharak in 1958. He worked as Pracharak in Sangali and Solapur districts and then Latur Vibhag. Later on he became Sharirik Shikshan Pramukh of Maharashtra Prant and then Kshetra Pracharak. Soon he became Akhil Bharatiya Sharirik Shikshan Pramukh. He also held the responsibility of Sah Sarkaryavah. Apart from it he guided the workers of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) and Sanskar Bharati.
Highly energetic personality, Ketkarji was a guardian for lakhs of Sangh workers across the country. Every task designed and executed by him reflected the affection that he possesed towards the workers. He had very sharp memory. However some time back he was advised bed rest due to health problems and thus discontinued active participation in the Sangh activities. Since he had deep interest in the physical activities, he contributed a lot in this field in the organisation. He was known as a ‘Karmath Pracharak’. Before his health started deteriorating, he regularly did physical exercise and Suryanamaskars and encouraged others too for it.
Recalling the guidance and affection that the Sanskar Bharati workers received from Ketkarji for more than a decade, Sanskar Bharati national joint general secretary Dr Ravindra Bharati described him as a “dedicated Rashtra Bhakta and strong organiser”. He said Ketkarji guided the Sanskar Bharati workers for more than 12 years i.e. from 1990 to 2003. “That was the time when Sanskar Bharati was growing and assuming the shape of a national
organisation, based on the ideals and perspectives
suggested by Dattopant Thengadi, Nanaji Deshmukh and Balasahab Deoras. He guided the Sanskar Bharati with a clear vision to stand up and move forward. He motivated it to move forward with utmost discipline, honesty,
commitment for the cause with absolute dedication,” Dr Bharati recalls while talking to Organiser.
He further said Sureshraoji made it conceptually clear that Sanskar Bharati is not a ‘Kala Bharati’ because ‘Art is not for the sake of Art’. “Art is for the aradhana (worship). Art is to inculcate human values in the society and to make the life patient, beautiful, peaceful and devotional to the motherland. He pleaded that the various forms of Indian Art have been cherished with its pious ethnic achievements and it is the need of the hour to make them richer and precious with exquisite beauty. Sanskar Bharati stands for it. It has to reach to the last man of the society with the treasure of Indian thoughts, values and assumptions especially Indian concept of nationalism with the medium of various forms of Arts and artists,” he added.
Recalling the contribution of Sureshrao Ketkar in strengthening the Kisan Sangh work, Dr Dinesh Kulkarni, Akhil Bharatiya organising secretary, says: “Sureshraoji guided the Kisan Sangh work from 1995 to 2005. Since he led the Sharirik Vibhag for years, the Kisan Sangh work was new to him. Neither did he had any association with the farming, as he was a teacher. But he studied all the issues related to the farmers and discussed them seriously with the experts. In those days, the farmers were fighting against GATT under the leadership of Dattopant Thengadi. He mainly focused on two aspects of the agriculture—goupalan and organic farming. He was expert in presenting any complex issue with simplicity. That is why what he wanted to convey was easily grasped by the audience. He also focused on workers training and payed attention to their needs.”
Patron of Vidya Bharati Shri Brahmdev Sharma “Bhaiji” said: “Since Sureshraoji had been a teacher before becoming a Pracharak, he played a key role in strengthening the work in education sector of Maharashtra. He insisted that the Vidya Bharati should patronise that work. And the Vidya Bharati actively looked after the work. When he was in Uttar Pradesh, he actively guided the Vidya Bharati Acharyas and management committee members. He knew the art of presenting any topic with simplicity.”
Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh organising secretary Shri KC Mishra said: “Sureshraoji looked after the BMS work at his ripe age i.e. from 2002 to 2008. Even in that age he guided the workers with a highly energetic way. He had the habit of deeply studying the issues and for that he discussed with the experts. Even then if he did not understand any point he did not hesitate to discuss that point with even a junior worker. During that period wherever he toured for the Sangh work, he simultaneously focused on strengthening the BMS work. He did not believe in delivering long speeches. Rather, preferred to motivate the workers through small stories and incidents, which were very impressive.”
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