Thengadiji wanted change through People

New Delhi: “The individuals or institutions which are part of the system cannot ensure desired change in the system. It needs extensive awareness in the society. We also need to create the organisations which work dedicatedly for that particular cause taking all segments of the society together. Following the philosophy of integral humanism in practice Dattopant Thengadi ji did it successfully,” said RSS Sarsanghachalak Shri Mohan Bhagwat, while delivering Dattopant Thengadi Memorial Lecture on November 10, the birth anniversary of the founder of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) and many other organisations at Dr Abmedkar International Centre.

The Lecture was organised by SJM. National convener of SJM Shri Arun Ojha, joint convener Shri Saroj Mitra, Rashtriya Sangathak Shri Kashmiri Lal also shared the dais. In the beginning, Shri Saroj Da shared his memories with Thengadiji. Shri Arun Ojha introduced the topic of lecture while sharing his long association with the trade union stalwart. The lecture series was started by SJM in 2005.

Shri Bhagwat further said Thengadiji focused on ‘man making’ and built the dedicated team of workers who are now taking the organisations formed by him to new heights. “He wanted desired change in the society through the people and not through the governments. His book ‘Karyakarta’ that focuses on man making is worth reading by one and all. He adopted holistic attitude towards all and built an army of ideal and committed workers. His dedication to building dedicated workers could be understood from the fact that he used to meet the workers wherever he went during his tours even by 1.00 am. He never thought for his comfort, but always focused on the needs of the workers. He was for free and frank discussion with the workers. He never thought of the immediate gains, but always focused on long term gains. He used to say that the status loving leaders and comfort living workers can bring no positive change in the society,” the RSS Sarsanghachalak said adding that during the Chinese attack he called upon the workers in India to work overtime for the nation without seeking anything in exchange. His style of working and ideological philosophy are worth studying and emulating. By following such a great personality we can do lot of good to the entire universe.

Another quality that we can learn from Thengadiji was that he adopted whatever good idea he got from anywhere. “We all know that MG Bokare was a hard core Marxist. Once he presided over a function organised by BMS in Nagpur. Impressed with the committed team of BMS workers he said you people too are doing the same thing that other trade unions are doing. Why don’t you take your own line and think in broader perspective. At that function itself Thengadiji said we are trying to build our base while following the existing system and once we gain sufficient strength we would create the desired change. The large forms of the organisations like BMS we see today is because of that vision only,” Shri Bhagwat said pointing out that Thengadiji extensively studied Marx and adopted whatever useful he found there.

He also studied the stories of Prophet Mohammed, Mahavir, Khali Gibran, etc they found a place in his writings. It is because of this openness that even the organisations following opposite ideology are now following the BMS in trade union movement. His views are relevant for the entire world. Even China followed his thinking.