Following Madan Das Devi ji’s footsteps

Madan Das Devi (81 years), former Rashtriya Sangathan Mantri of the ABVP, from where he was moved to the RSS in 1992 and later elevated as Sah-Sarkaryavah and looked after the activities of the Swadeshi Jagran Manch for several years, passed away on July 24. He also coordinated between Sangh and BJP for some years after KS Sudarshan Ji was elevated as Sarsanghchalak.

Along with KN Govindacharya, he developed many leaders in the BJP at the national and State levels. Govindacharya had been moved from ABVP to the BJP in 1987, when LK Advani was the president of the BJP. Govindacharya was later elevated to the position of General Secretary in the party.

Devi Ji was a chartered accountant by training and originally belonged to Solapur, from where he had moved Pune for higher education. He joined the ABVP in 1964. He coordinated between the RSS and BJP when the NDA Government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee was at the Centre.

“We have lost a senior colleague. Devi was fighting various ailments for the last many years. He took responsibility of the ABVP as Sanghatanmantri for many years,” said RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat and Sarakaryavah Dattatreya Hosbale in their tributes on passing away of senior Pracharak Madan Das Devi Ji, who was also the first Sah-Karyavah (joint general secretary) from the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).

“Shri Madan Das Devi, a senior Pracharak of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, passed away at Rashtrotthan Hospital in Bengaluru at 5 am. He was 81-years-old. He was on the responsibility of All India Organisation Minister of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, Co-Sarkaryavah of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh,” said RSS on July 24.

“Madan Das Devi Ji did a great job of activating every person who came in contact with him in some kind of social work by inspiring him with thoughts and inner affection. Following his teachings and increasing the work will be a real tribute to him,” said Dr Mohan Bhagwat, while paying tribute to Madan Das Devi Ji on July 25. He said that let’s follow the mantra given by Madan Das Devi Ji to take our work ahead.

Dr Bhagwat said that Madan Das Devi Ji used to touch and win over the heart of a person. He was a parent who gave the right direction to life. One has to endure a lot while doing the work of organisation and connecting individuals. It’s not an easy task. At this juncture, he himself lived like a Sthitaprajna even while suffering from internal agonies. He was pleasant and happy even while departing.

‘Demise of Madan Das Devi Ji is a big loss for us. Like ascetics, he brought thousands of volunteers before us, who could work for the change in society and the country through their Sewa activity,’ said Sunil Ambekar, Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh, RSS.

Bhaiyyaji Joshi, Member, National Executive, RSS, said that to live a meaningful life in society, the body and mind should be kept pure and Madan Das Devi Ji followed high beliefs in social life.

“Due to his ideological clarity, he never compromised with situation. His words, working style and ideological clarity is still inspiration for us. His life was transparent and he was a hardworking person. His inner-consciousness was soft. He had an amazing ability to read people. He never ignored anyone in his life,” said Bhaiyyaji Joshi.

Mourning his demise, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, “I am deeply saddened by the demise of Sri Madam Das Devi Ji. He dedicated his entire life to the service of the nation. I was not only closely associated with him but also had the opportunity to learn many things from him. May God give strength to all the workers and his family members in this moment of grief. Om Shanti.”

“Madan Das Devi Ji remained connected with activists despite the unavailability of communication resources in the past. He ensured that the ideology is taken forward,” said JP Nadda, President, Bharatiya Janata Party

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Twitter, “The information of the demise of Shri Madan Das Devi, senior campaigner of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh is very sad. The departure of Madan Das ji, who selflessly devoted his life to the service of the nation and union work, is an irreparable loss to the organisation. He was like a source of inspiration for crores of workers. May God give him a place in his feet. Om Shanti Shanti”

Dr Ashwani Mahajan, National Co-Convener of Swadeshi Jagaran Manch, said, “If you had the presence of Madan Das Devi, or as fondly addressed as Madan Ji by his followers, admirers, and peers you can expect solutions to some of the most complex issues. His discipline, his honesty, his commitment to the cause commanded immense respect that solutions were obvious possibility. His biggest contribution to this nation is that he brought Swadeshi into mainstream in some of the most difficult times. Today, when PM Narendra Modi is scripting strides, Self Reliance, the dominating strokes of Madan ji’s  ‘Arthik Rashtravad’, that is, Economic Nationalism was the term coined and propagated at ABVP under his stewardship; is dominating. Born at Solapur, Maharashtra on July 9, 1942, Madan Ji became RSS pracharak, completing his M. Com., LLB and Chartered Accountancy, he devoted his whole life in the service of the nation.”

Demise of Madan Das Devi Ji is a significant loss to the nation. May his soul attain Moksha. May Bhagwan give strength to his family.