MUMBAI: “Dr Ashokrao Modak was a living example of what an ideal academic personality should be. In many ways, he was an ocean of virtues. Whether the subject was the Sangh or Hindutva, he possessed deep and thorough knowledge. Ashokrao was the very embodiment of humility,” said Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarkaryavah (General Secretary) Dattatreya Hosabale, while addressing a Shraddhanjali Sabha (condolence meeting) held in memory of eminent thinker and organiser, former National President of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and former MLA, the late Dr Ashokrao Modak. The Sabha was held at the Principal BN Vaidya Auditorium, Dadar (East), Mumbai, on January 21.
Recalling his personal association with Ashokrao Modak, Shri Hosabale said, “At that time, I was a city-level worker in Bengaluru. In 1974, during an ABVP convention held in Dadar, I received a message fifteen days in advance to join the preparations. Ashokrao was entrusted with the responsibility of organising the procession for the convention. It was then that I first came in contact with him, and from that moment onwards, my deep and affectionate bond with Mumbai began.”
He further observed, “In today’s Google era, a great deal of information is readily available. Earlier, this was not the case. Even then, Ashokrao was a diligent scholar committed to original study and research. Every word of the Sangh prayer line ‘Man samarpit, tan samarpit aur yah jeevan samarpit’ (Mind dedicated, body dedicated, and this life dedicated) was reflected in his life. If each of us adopts at least one ideal from his life in our own conduct, that would be the true tribute to him.”
Speaking on the occasion, the Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh of RSS, Sunil Ambekar, said, “Ashokrao’s simplicity was deeply endearing. He often said that one must consciously shape one’s own nature, and that study proves this. Ashokrao undertook the challenging task of preparing and nurturing the younger generation.”
Members of Ashokrao Modak’s family, including his wife Dr Anjali Ashok Modak, were present at the Sabha. Several eminent personalities including Maharashtra’s Minister for Higher and Technical Education Chandrakantdada Patil; Abhay Bapat, Maharashtra–Goa State Head of Vivekananda Kendra; Vasantrao Kane of Konkan Padvidhar Manch; Dr Vaidehi Daptardar, Secretary of the National Social Science Council; Vice-Chancellor of the University of Mumbai Prof Ravindra Kulkarni; Nayana Sahasrabuddhe of Bharatiya Stree Shakti; Abhiram Patil of Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini; ABVP National Executive Member Milind Marathe; and B. Surendran, Organising Secretary of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh paid tribute by recalling Ashokrao Modak’s life and contributions.
