Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh ideologue, a distinguished writer and senior journalist, Madhav Govind Vaidya passed away on Saturday at a private hospital in Nagpur. He was 97 years old.
His funeral was conducted at Ambazari Ghat (Crematorium ground in Nagpur) at 9:30 am on Sunday. RSS Sar Sanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday paid last respects to MG Vaidya at his residence. “His life was an encyclopedia of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. He lived RSS and its ideology,” the Sarsanghchalak told reporters in Nagpur.
On Saturday, in a joint statement, RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat and Sarkaryavah Shri Bhaiyya Ji Joshi said: “We at the Sangh have lost an elder brother. He was not only an eminent journalist but a multi-talented personality who excelled in all fields and tasks he undertook. He was a witness to Sangh’s work across all spheres and its rise across the socio-political forums over the years.”
“Through his writings, he used to present the Sangh’s views on various matters. His life teaches us to remain true to our cause and follow the duties in our life. We pray that his soul rests in peace,” the statement added.
Dr Manmohan Vaidya, RSS Sah-Sarkaryavah and son of MG Vaidya in a tweet said, “Shri MG Vaidya, my father breathed his last today at 3.35 pm at Nagpur after completing 97 years of active, meaningful and inspiring life. He was a veteran journalist, a Hindutva “Bhashyakar” and active Sangh (RSS) Swayamsevak for 9 decades.”
As soon as the news of the passing away of the veteran RSS leader broke, tributes started pouring in from all quarters. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the passing away of noted writer and journalist MG Vaidya. Prime Minister in a tweet said, MG Vaidya contributed extensively to the RSS for decades and also worked to strengthen the BJP. Shri Modi also expressed condolences to his family and admirers.
“Shri MG Vaidya Ji was a distinguished writer and journalist. He contributed extensively to the RSS for decades. He also worked to strengthen the BJP. Saddened by his demise. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti,” the Prime Minister tweeted.
Ma Go Vaidya along with his wife Sunanda and son
Dr Manmohan Vaidya
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday condoled the death of RSS ideologue Madhav Govind Vaidya, describing him as a nationalist and an institution by himself. “Deeply saddened by the demise of veteran RSS functionary and Sanskrit scholar M G Vaidya. He was a nationalist, a prolific writer and an institution by himself,” the Vice President Secretariat tweeted quoting Naidu.
Paying his tributes to the RSS veteran, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said, “My humble tribute to Baburao Vaidya. Baburao was fortunate enough to work with all Sarsanghchalak. It was a firm belief that Baburaoji would be a centenarian, but destiny had something different in mind. It is sad that a pious and sage-like personality has passed away. May God grant peace to the departed soul. Peace.”
Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari has condoled the demise of great thinker, ideologue and former Editor of Tarun Bharat M G Vaidya. In a condolence message, the Governor said he was deeply saddened to know about the demise of Vaidya. He said through his insightful writings, Vaidya awakened and enlightened the society on several issues of national and international interest. The Governor further said Vaidya who had served as Editor of Tarun Bharat was instrumental in mentoring several generations of journalists. He added that in his demise, Vidarbha has lost a scholar and ideologue.
Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Devendra Fadnavis also expressed grief over the demise of M G Vaidya. Describing Vaidya as one who had a sea of knowledge and a sage-like personality, Fadnavis said that his profound knowledge of Sanskrit language, his ability to explain any complex subject easily, his mastery of Marathi language and grammar was extra-ordinary. He added that a committed Swayamsevak, M G Vaidya dedicated his life to spread the thoughts and ideology of RSS among the people. Maharashtra BJP state unit chief Chandrakant Patil also expressed sadness over the demise of M G Vaidya.
Maharashtra Journalists console ‘MaGo’ Vaidya’s demise
Maharashtra Union of Working Journalists (MUWJ) and Nagpur Union of Working Journalists (NUWJ) condoled veteran journalist M G Vaidya’s demise. “His demise is a huge loss for journalism in Vidarbha region. We will remember him for an important attribute of respecting the thoughts of others even while being firm on own thought. He had affection for MUWJ and NUWJ both,” stated the condolence message issued jointly by Pradipkumar Maitra, MUWJ President; Brahmashankar Tripathi, Secretary; Shirish Borkar, NUWJ President; Vishwas Indurkar, Vice-President of Tilak Patrakar Bhavan Trust; Vinod Deshmukh, Prabhakar Dupare, Joseph Rao and others.
The Swayamsevak who witnessed entire trajectory of Sangh’s evolution
MG Vaidya was ace journalist, ex MLC, Sanskrit scholar and first official spokesperson of RSS. Born on 11 March 1923 at Taroda village in Wardha district of Maharashtra, Shri Vaidya became a Sangh Swayamsevak at the age of eight, when Doctor ji was the Sarsanghchalak. In his nine-decades-long journey as a swayamsevak, Shri Vaidya was closely associated with Guruji and all other Sarsanghchalaks of the Sangh. He held several important responsibilities in the Sangh like ‘Akhil Bharatiya Baudhik Pramukh’ and ‘Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh’ and national spokesperson of the RSS.
In 1944, Shri Vaidya passed his BA in first class with the gold medal for his performance in Sanskrit. In 1946, he was awarded the Daji Hari Wadegaonkar gold medal when he cleared his MA exam. From 1978 to 1984, Vaidya was a member of the legislative council in Maharashtra. From 1977 to 1999, he was the president of Bharatiya Shikshan Mandal.
A noted nation first thinker, Shri Vaidya has written dozens of books on various topics, ranging from politics to literature. An autobiographical account of being in RSS — titled ‘Main Sangh Mein, Mujh Mein Sangh (I am in Sangh, Sangh is in me)’ is one his popular works. Many of his books have been translated into many Indian languages. Shri Vaidya edited the Marathi newspaper ‘Tarun Bharat’ for several years. His popular column titled “Bhashya” in ‘Tarun Bharat’ ran for 25 years, and is considered one of the longest-serving newspaper columns.
His son Dr Manmohan Vaidya is Sah Sarkaryavah of the RSS, while his second son Dr Shri Ram Vaidya is Sah Sanyojak of Vishwa Vibhag.
