R. Raveendran, one of the most senior Sangh karyakarthas in Keralam, breathed his last on the midnight of June 7. He was the former State General Secretary of VHP Keralam. He also served as Aluva Zilla Karyavah and Ernakulam Vibhag Karyavah. He was a retired employee of HMT near Kochi. He was jailed under MISA (Maintenance of Internal Security Act) during the entire period of the Emergency (1975–1977).
Raveendran, popularly known as Ravichettan (in Malayalam, chettan means elder brother), joined the Sangh in 1957 as a Bal Swayamsevak. He climbed the ladder of Sangh responsibilities from Aluva Taluk Karyavah to Aluva Zilla Karyavah and then to Ernakulam Vibhag Karyavah. Later, he worked for VHP. He served as the State General Secretary of VHP for several years until his health deteriorated. When the Sangh started Seva activities in Aluva, he was selected as the Vice Chairman of the Grama Seva Samiti in 1980.
Ravichettan was one of the prominent organisers of the legendary Vishal Hindu Sammelan held in Kochi in April 1982 under the leadership of Pranth Pracharak late K. Bhaskar Rao, senior Pracharaks Ranga Hariji, P. Madhavji and P. Parameshwarji.
Ravichettan played crucial roles in spreading the Sangh activities in the rural areas of Ernakulam district. He inspired hundreds of workers despite attacks from Communist goons and religious fundamentalists. He gave a patient hearing to the grievances and hardships of the Swayamsevaks. He was an organiser par excellence in central Keralam.
When the Sangh gained wider acceptance after the Emergency, he played an active role in starting new shakhas. He earned the respect and regard of senior police officers while helping to settle disputes arising out of physical clashes in society.
Last year, Ravichettan was felicitated by Bal Samskar Kendra on Deepavali Day. A couple of weeks ago, Aluva-based Thanthra Vidya Peetam, launched by Swarg. P. Madhavji, conferred the Madhavji Puraskaram on Ravichettan. Since he was hospitalised, his son received the award on his behalf.
After receiving the Bal Samskar Kendra felicitation, he said: “Our activity is not egoistic but idealistic. Over time, older workers are replaced by new ones. But our work is perpetual and eternal.”
