Shri Amir Chand was a true sadhak of kala (art) who served art, artists and artisans till his last breath, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarkaryavah Shri Dattatreya Hosabale said on Friday (October 22) in Delhi.
The Rashtriya Mahamantri (National General Secretary) of Sanskar Bharti, Shri Amir Chand, passed away on October 16 in Arunachal Pradesh. He was on a weeklong visit to the North-East for organizational work. A prayer meeting was organized for him in Dr. Ambedkar International Center in Delhi on Friday (October 22).
“Till his last breath, Amir Chand served the art and culture. Fifty-six is not the age to go but some things are not in man’s control”, Shri Hosabale said.
He added, “He connected thousand and thousands of people to Sanskar Bharti through his hard work, soft smile and dedication.”
Amir Chand, 56, was born on August 1, 1965, in Ballia in Uttar Pradesh. In 1981, at the young age of 16, he joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). When he was 20, he was asked to look after the prachar work of the RSS in the Azamgarh region.
His close association with Sanskar Bharti started in 1987 when he was asked to look after Sanskar Bharti’s work in eastern Uttar Pradesh.
Shri Hosabale said working for art and culture will be a real tribute to him.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent his condolence message to Sanskar Bharti chairperson Vasudev Kamat. The Prime Minister wrote, “Amir Chand ji’s dedication to preserving art, literature and Indian culture was unparalleled. Although he is no more with us, his values and philosophy will keep inspiring people.”
Recalling her association with Amir Chand, classical dancer and Padma Vibhushan Sonal Mansingh said, “There was a joy in his eyes. His enthusiasm and dedication to art and culture was infectious. Twenty-two years back, I met for the first time and since then, our association only grew stronger.”
Amir Chand left Delhi for the tour of the North-East on October 11. Everything was fine till the morning of October 16 when he was in Bomdila monastery in Arunachal Pradesh.
In the afternoon, as a result of the high altitude, he complained of chest pain. Immediate medical care was provided, but the team of doctors declared him dead at 7 pm. Everything changed in about five hours.
Renowned folk singer Malini Awasthi got emotional while recalling her 25-year-long association with Amir Chand. She said, “Twenty-five years back, we met in Kolkata for the first time. He had a unique dedication and enthusiasm for art and culture. And he knew how to connect people.”
If there was one thing Amir Chand was obsessed about, it was the well-being of artists and artisans. When the Covid-19 pandemic hit early last year, stage performances all across the country were cancelled, rendering many artists penniless.
To help the artists, Amir Chand started Pir Parai Jani Re, an initiative to help the artists to overcome the financial crisis.
Similarly, he was associated with another great initiative of Sanskar Bharti, Sarhad Ko Swaranjali. It was aimed at paying tributes to the great souls who made the supreme sacrifice for the country.
It was his dream to have a Sanskar Bharti building dedicated to arts and artisans. It was fulfilled when Kala Sankul building was inaugurated by Sarsanghchalak on April 2 this year in Delhi.
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