Pradeep Rao Ketkar, a veteran Swayamsevak and Sah Sanghchalak of Nashik Mahanagar passed away on March 2 in Nashik, Maharashtra.
Pradeep Rao Ketkar was a dedicated Swayamsevak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) who was not confined to the geographical boundaries, said former Sarkaryavah and the current member of Akhil Bharatiya Karyakarini Bhaiyaji Joshi on Thursday (March 17) in Nashik. He was speaking at the condolence meeting of Late Pradeep Ketkar, the Nashik city Sah-Sanghchalak of the RSS.
“Ordinary people belong to a particular area or district but activists like Late Shri Ketkar belong to the RSS. He was a dedicated personality who worked for the country and society. He was an ideal personality who could pass on the thoughts followed in his own life to the next generation,” Bhaiyyaji Joshi said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent his condolence message to the Ketkar family. Expressing his deep sorrow on the passing away of Ketkar, PM Modi said, “I am deeply pained to learn about the passing away of Shri Pradeep Rao Ketkar Ji. Heartfelt condolences to the family in this hour of intense grief.”
“The demise of Shri Pradeep Rao Ji, a source of constant energy, cannot be expressed in words. A pillar of strength, he provided inspiration and energy for the family,” the prime minister further said.
A veteran Swayamsevak and Sah Sanghchalak of Nashik Mahanagar, Pradeep Rao was earlier Sanghchalak of Jalgaon district and served in Sanskar Bharati. Since his childhood, he was associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
On multiple occasions, he had narrated how RSS inspired him to take up tasks to serve Maa Bharati since his childhood.
During the Emergency imposed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Pradeep Rao was Nagar Shareerik Pramukh and worked underground. Later he was arrested and spent 14 months in jail.
He joined the Income Tax department as an officer and retired as Assistant Income Tax commissioner. He was an active participant in the Ram Janmabhoomi Satyagraha.
Pradeep Rao was a fatherly figure who guided Swayamsevaks towards the path of enlightenment and seva of Maa Bharati.
Speaking in the condolence meeting, Paschim Maharashtra Prant Sanghchalak Nanasaheb Jadhav reminisced about the work he did with Late Ketkar while he himself was Sangh Pracharak in Jalgaon district. He said that Late Ketkar had done great management of a triple work of family, job and RSS.
RSS Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosbale and All India President of Sanskar Bharati Vasudev Kamat also sent their condolence messages to the Ketkar family.
Prafulla Ketkar, Editor-in-Chief of English weekly Organiser and son of Late Ketkar, said that despite being in government service, he did not allow any hindrance in the RSS’s work. Being a born teacher, he guided many individuals in English and mathematics.
The introduction of the dignitaries was done by Nashik Shahar Karyavah Sanjay Chandratre. Prathamesh Gangal, Anil Rudre, Dr Ambadas Kulkarni of Ayurveda Seva Sangha, Prashant Kulkarni, Paschim Maharashtra Mantri of Sanskar Bharati, Nana Vani, Ram Kadam, Suresh Jathar, Sanjay Kirtane, former Shahar Pracharak Dnyaneshwar Rakshe, Shahar Sanghchalak Vijay Kadam and others expressed their views.
Vibhag Sanghchalak Kailas Salunke was present on the stage. Paschim Maharashtra Prant Prachar Pramukh Dilip Kshirsagar, Vibhag Karyavah Pramod Kulkarni, Shahar Sah-Sanghchalak Dr Vijay Malpathak, MLA Rahul Dhikale, office bearers and volunteers of various organisations were present in the condolence meeting.
