A veteran Swayamsevak and Sah Sanghchalak of Nashik Mahanagar, Pradeep Rao Ketkar, who selflessly dedicated his life to the service of motherland, passed away on March 2 morning at Nashik, Maharashtra. He was undergoing treatment for cancer. His son Prafulla Ketkar is the Editor of Organiser.
A multi-faceted personality, Pradeep Rao Ketkarji, worked tirelessly at grassroots level throughout his life, whereby he reached out to every worker of RSS. He was unwavering in his commitment to humanity, revolted against the Emergency and was a workaholic even in his twilight years.
In his condolence message to Organiser Editor Prafulla Ketkar, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarkaryavah, Dattatreya Hosabaleji, said, “Very sad to know the demise of your esteemed father Manya Pradeep Rao Ketkar. My heartfelt condolences to all in the family. In his passing we have lost an ardent karyakarta, an affectionate guardian and a committed social worker. I pray almighty to give you strength to bear the grief and grant Sadgati to the departed soul. ॐ शान्ति.”
Earlier, Pradeep Rao Ketkarji was Sanghchalak of Jalgaon district in Maharashtra and served in Sanskar Bharati. Since his childhood, he was associated with the RSS. On multiple occasions, Pradeep Rao Ketkarji narrated how RSS inspired him to take up the task to serve Maa Bharati since his childhood.
During the draconian Emergency, Pradeep Rao Ketkarji fought for the protection of democracy, due to which he had to undergo imprisonment for 14 months. In 1990s, he played an important role in increasing the work of Sanskar Bharati in Devagiri province. Lively contact with the workers along with continuous reading were his priorities. Contemplation made his personality an inspiration to all. He was a workaholic. Pradeep Rao Ketkarji had taken over the responsibility of West Zone in Sanskar Bharti for a
few years.
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