Witness the manifestation of women’s power, You are theera’s pioneers, radiant with austerity. You are the very embodiment of divinity. With heartfelt emotions, we bow to you with utmost reverence”.
On July 16, 2024, (Hindu Calendar) we celebrate the 119th birth anniversary of venerable Mausiji (Lakshmibai Kelkar), the founding Pramukh Sanchalika of the Rashtra Sevika Samiti. This day is observed as a day of Sankalp(resolve),marking the beginning of the New Year for the Samiti’s work. On this day of resolve, let us remember venerable Mausiji, draw inspiration from her, and seek her blessings for our continued efforts. We shall become determined and remain perpetually active in our work.
“You are radiant, luminous, steadfast in brilliance. Birth and death occur in radiance. In radiance lies the nation’s work.”
Early Life
On October 25, 1936, venerable Mausiji awakened the Matru Shakti, making it capable of self-defence, ignitingthe flame of patriotism in its heart, and contributing to the nation’s development through organised maternal power with the spirit of Hinduism, culture, lifestyle, national values, and the motto “Rashtra Devo Bhava,” she began shaping Matru Shakti through the daily disciplines of Shakha, considering the Bhagava Dhwaj (saffron flag) as the Guru and working towards its manifestation completing 88 years. In accordance with the mantra Charaiiveti Charaiiveti (Keep moving forward), the Rashtra Sevika Samiti today successfully works in a pervasive and all-encompassing manner, touching various fields of national development through its thoughts, teachings, and methods, from individual lives to the national sphere.
July 6, 1905, Ashadh Shuddha Dashami, marks the birth date of venerable Mausiji. She entered this world adorned with the aura of brilliance. Her maternal family, the Date family, was deeply imbued with patriotic values and thoughts, greatly influenced by Lokmanya Tilak’s ideas published in Kesari. Mausiji’s home was no exception to this influence. Since her father was in a Government job, Kesari used to arrive at their home in the name of her mother, Shrimati Yashodabai. To make the sisters, who were otherwise occupied with household duties, aware of the country’s situation, Yashodabai used to gather them and read Kesari to them. This instilled a sense of social awareness and the core principles of organisation in venerable Mausiji, which she inherited from her parents. To facilitate this, Yashodabai had established the ‘Bhagini Samaj’ then.
The first lesson of patriotism was instilled in Mausiji during her childhood. Her schooling took place at Dadibai Hindu Girls’ School. From a young age, Kamal (Mausiji) was extremely bold, sharp- witted, and a staunch patriot. Even in Missionary school, her behaviour reflected patriotism and integrity time and again. In1919, she married Shri Purushottamrao Kelkar, a lawyer from Wardha. His family was prestigious. Along with the role of a wife, Mausiji also took on the responsibility of mothering the two daughters from Purushottamrao’s first marriage, and she fulfilled this role with great affection, love, and diligence until the end. Managing a large household and a regal family with numerous servants , Mausiji had to skillfully balance both the daughters, there were differences in opinions between her and her husband. However, the venerable Mausiji managed all her domestic responsibilities with great love, skill, and a sense of duty. She had six children, but when her youngest, Anand, was just four months old, she had to endure the sorrow of her husband’s demise. Subsequently, she faced many difficulties and challenges in her household. Despite these adversities, she found strength in the inspirational verse: Meaning – “Even if the path you tread seems wrong, And confusion about the direction arises, Follow the path of your goal like the Pole Star, With determination, proceed steadily.” Following this inspiring saying, she managed to stabilise herself and her household.
Aatma Manthan
Soon after, she had the opportunity to meet Mahatma Gandhi. Although she had an interest in politics, she was constantly concerned about the country’s situation. Gandhi’s thought, “The health of the nation depends on the health of its individuals,” deeply influenced her. Thereafter, with the support of her sister-in- law Umakunku, she began participating in Gandhi-led programmes whenever she could. She made her first experiment with the Swadeshi movement at home by stopping the use of foreign sugar, tea, and coffee. She also participated in the spinning programme led by Gandhiji. After 1925, unrest inthe country continued to grow. Hindu-Muslim riots were increasing, and Mausiji was disturbed by thisnews. The idea that anyone could commit atrocities or injustice against women just because they were considered weak was not acceptable to her. Thoughts and reflections were constantly churning in her mind, but she could not find a clear path or direction. Participating in Mahatma Gandhi’s programmes, venerable Mausiji once attended a discourse where Gandhi was asked who should be the role model for women.
Here plied, “Sita,” because if Sitas are created in every home, there will be no need for separate efforts for Ram. Even before this, Yamunabai Hirlekar had stated that women should not live their lives confined to the kitchen and child-bearing only but also should participate in social and political life. A phrase by Swami Vivekananda ,which she often read, remained firmly in her memory. Swamiji had said that women and men are like the two wheels ofachariot of society. Therefore, if the nation, like the Garuda, is to soar high into the sky, both its wings need to be strong, powerful, and equally capable. There should be a sense of coordination, companionship men and women, not competition. Mausiji continued to reflect and churn over issues concerning the nation and women. Something was taking shape in her mind and she was finding direction. During that time, the prevailing view among men was to see women as objects of enjoyment. Such events in society troubled and disturbed her. Women were dependent on men at every step, yet they were not secure. In the orange market of Nagpur, women faced harassment. The market was dominated by Muslims, and women, who supported their households by selling oranges on commission, were often subjected to atrocities. Mausiji thought about how even in ancient times, Sita had to protect herself with her own strength while imprisoned by Ravana, despite having a husband, Rama, who was far away. Similarly, in the Mahabharat, Draupadi had to defend herself despite having five valiant husbands. A woman’s self-strength, self- confidence, and fidelity are her Ishwara, her Shakti . Even when raising Shivaji, Jijamata had no external help. Her strength came from her immense patriotism, strong pride in Hinduism, faith in Motherland, and power.
Around this time, the Kusumbala incident occurred in Bengal, where despite having a lawyer husband, she fell victim to a thug’s atrocity. Mausiji was shaken by the incident; her mind could not remain calm anymore. She engaged in continuous discussions ,reflections, and studies on this serious issue with many friends, and like-minded people, including her supportive sister-in-law. At the same time, she deeply studied the life of Sita through various versions of the Ramayan, inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s emphasis on Sitaas an ideal. During this period, she also witnessed a circus run by a woman and was astonished by her strength. This woman managed the vast set up of the circus with self-confidence, self- strength, assertiveness, and determination, successfully and with discipline.
At that time, when she learned that the esteemed Dr Hedgewar had founded the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) with the lofty and grand aim of uniting the entire Hindu society, she felt a bit relieved. Due to the changing political situation in the country, the common man was confused. Venerable Mausiji already had an understanding of nationalistic thoughts. In 1930, Mahatma Gandhi brought about a major revolution in the perspective of women. Many women, led by Sarojini Naidu, participated in his Dandi March and one amongst them was Mausiji’s sister-in-law. However, although Mausiji was engrossed in national service and her household, she never let the spark of patriotism in her heart die out. But the sorrows, crises, and problems of domestic life did not leave her. With the death of her husband, managing a large family with six children, land, property, and legal issues, it was truly a balancing act on a tightrope. However, with the loving support of her sister-in-law, Umabai, Mausiji managed to hold her household together with immense courage and determination. At the same time, she provided a new perspective and direction to many of the superstitious and harmful practices in society and instilled a sense of service and harmony in the community. In July 1936, to ensure that girls received further education, she started a school for two girls.
Meeting with RSS Chief
It was around this time that she noticed her children taking Danda (wooden sticks) and going somewhere every evening. Despite being very busy, she was a vigilant and responsible mother. She immediately asked the children about it, and they enthusiastically replied, “No, no, we are not going to fight; we go to the RSS shakha that has started. We go to Appaji’s shakha.” The children then explained the physical, intellectual, and cultural development activities that took place at the shakha. Mausiji then went to Shri Appaji to inquire in detail about the shakha and found that it was a shakha of the RSS started by Dr Hedgewar in Nagpur, where a new generation was being shaped with the values of national devotion through the teachings of country, religion, and culture. Hearing this, she was satisfied that her children were going to the right place. All these streams of thought found direction through the all-encompassing education and values that her children were receiving at the RSS shakha.
If the RSS was doing such significant work for men, why was there no consideration for organising the eternal Shakti of society, women? Inspired by this thought, she sought a meeting with the esteemed Dr Hedgewar Ji. Accompanied by a friend, she presented her ideas on women’s empowerment for the first time. They discussed the matter from every perspective. She argued that just like men, the primary source of values, the Matru Shakti, should also be organised. There should be a comprehensive development of women from a physical, mental, intellectual, and ideological perspective. Patriotic values should also be instilled in them, so that the organised strength of Matru Shakti can contribute to the nation’s development. She asked whether the RSS would consider organising women in their shakhas. In five-six thoughtful meetings with Dr Hedgewar Ji, they deliberated on many such topics. This was also a test of how strong Mausiji’s ideological strength was. Ultimately, from all this intellectual churning, it was decided that Mausiji should start an organisation for women with the national interest as its goal. However, certain rules were established for this purpose. The initials of the RSS and the new Stree Sanghatan would be the same in English.This means that although the destination of the RSS and the Rashtra Sevika Samiti is the same, and their methods may be similar, the two organisations will operate in parallel. During this time, Hedgewar Ji gave an extremely important suggestion: understanding that your organisation is a women’s organisation, you should design its methods and programmes accordingly, without merely copying the RSS.
During this intellectual churning, Mausiji constantly sought advice from her parents. When she discussed the concept of establishing the Sevika Samiti with her father, he advised that it is like undertaking an arduous task against the current, which must be pursued with unwavering determination until the last breath. The commitment once taken cannot be abandoned. She was told to balance house hold duties and national service, harmonising domestic life and altruism. Given the overall deplorable situation of women at that time, it was essential for someone to work for them in an organised manner. Then the thought came, “Why shouldn’t that ‘someone’ be me?” With the guidance of Dr Hedgewar Ji, her resolve became firm. Initially, the organisation started only in Wardha, but later the idea spread to the national level. After discussions with friends like Veenutai Kalambkar, Kalinditai Patankar, Mai Nagle and Yamunatai Kane, a decision was made. Finally, in accordance with everybody’s opinion, the women’s organisation with the same initials, Rashtra Sevika Samiti, was established with a grand aim of “Tejasvi Hindu Rashtra Punarnirman “. Initially, self-defence physical training defence, was required by Sevikas, which was completed with the consent of Dr Hedgewar Ji, and Mausiji’s children made significant contributions.
Ideation of Rashtra Sevika Samiti
Meaning – The Sankalp (vow) we have taken is not blind. We relied on the enlightenment from Itihaasa and nature. We embraced the intense, illuminating work with wisdom, carrying the promise of a committed woman.
The concept of the Samiti’s formation is akin to a seed growing into a belief, and from that belief, a vast effort is born. The establishment and expansion of the samiti is like the birth and growth of a child, full of initial labor pains and feelings. The Samiti’s journey of seva, the dedication of its karyakartis /Sevikas , and their mutual support is pivotal. The expansion of the Samiti’s work is rooted in faith, dedication, and unwavering commitment. Daily worship, representing the samiti’s work, is the daily shakha, and the inspiration is embodied in the Devi Ashtabhuja. The victorious Bhagawa Dhwaj (saffron flag) , serving as the guru, stood as a testament to Itihas, while the goal is the rejuvenation of a radiant Hindu nation, achieved through the constant effort symbolised by Charaiveti Charaiveti (Keep Moving Forward). With this mindset and values, Mausiji first transformed herself, believing that women, families, and society are the energy source of the nation. From this belief and through daily shakhas, baithaks, and abhays varga, women began to evolve into dedicated karyakartris, driven by the inspiration of Rashtra Devo Bhava (May the Nation be Divine). The Samiti’s work, overcoming many obstacles, is now active globally.
Inspired by Dr Hedgewar leading RSS, local leaders like Man Nani Kolte from Bhandara, Van Tai Apte from Pune and Mai Limaye from Sangli, also initiated women empowerment activities locally and selflessly dedicated their work to the national cause, setting a standard of dedication and action for future by merging their groups in Rashtra Sevika Samiti founded by Lakshmibai Ji.
Observing the diverse forms of this radiant woman (Mausiji) reveals the brilliance of her extraordinary personality, her patriotism in childhood, her firmness, the responsibility of being a wife and mother at 14, the loss of her husband at 27, her unwavering commitment to her family, her sensitivity and emotional response to the injustices faced by women, and her quest for Sita and Rashtrapurush Shri Ram. Mausiji taught women to stand firm, raised awareness of national ideas and women’s co- power through intellectual movements, and founded the globally significant Rashtra Sevika Samiti. She stood as the founder Adya Pramukh Sanchalika, providing firm and courageous leadership during crises. During the Partition, shes travelled to Karachi, offering mental strength to the Sevikas there, embodying the nurturing mother. She was meticulous, strict, and expressed her motherhood in every action. Her dedication to the nation, as embodied by the Rashtra Sevika Samiti, is a flame kindled at the feet of Bharat Mata.
With great respect we bow to our revered Vandaniya Mausiji, who tirelessly worked to keep the eternal flame of ‘Rashtra Deepobhav’ (the light of the nation) burning.
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