BHUBANESWAR: Gurucharan Jena, known as the “Bhagirath of the RSS” in Bhubaneswar, senior RSS Swayamsevak, naturopath, social karyakarta and scientist associated with the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), passed away on Sunday morning at the age of 77.. His demise has cast a pall of grief over the RSS and the wider social and ideological circles associated with his work.
Colleagues and well-wishers remembered Jena as a dedicated karyakarta who remained committed to social service and organisational activities for several decades. His associates described his simple personality and commitment to national service as qualities that inspired many people, particularly young Swayamsevaks.
Early life and role during the Emergency
Jena was born on September 21, 1949, in Brahmanabada village near Kandarpur in Cuttack district. He became associated with the RSS during his youth and subsequently remained actively involved in its activities.
While serving at OUAT, Jena lived through the Emergency period. According to accounts associated with his life and work, he went underground and continued his activities during the period. He was subsequently arrested under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) and remained in jail.
His role during the Emergency became an important part of his public and organisational life. Even after that period, he continued to remain associated with the RSS and devoted himself to organisational and social activities.
Contribution to RSS activities in Bhubaneswar
Jena was regarded by his associates as a committed RSS Swayamsevak whose simple way of life and dedication to national service influenced a large number of people. Several young people came into contact with the organisation through his guidance, and many of them subsequently became RSS pracharaks.
He also played a role in expanding RSS activities in Bhubaneswar. During his association with OUAT, he encouraged students of the university to become acquainted with the organisation. Several of those students later became pracharaks and, according to his associates, continued to remain active in RSS activities.
Jena was also among the founding members of Saraswati Shishu Vidya Mandir at Unit-8 in Bhubaneswar. His association with the institution remained an important part of his social activities.
Organiser, Panchjanya and Rashtradeep: Contribution to publications and public outreach
Jena also worked for the circulation of publications associated with the RSS and its broader ideological ecosystem. In Bhubaneswar, he contributed to the circulation of Organiser, Rashtradeep and Panchjanya.
He also organised annual readers’ conferences involving readers of these publications. Through such activities, he worked to strengthen interaction among readers and supporters of the publications.
His associates said his contribution was not limited to organisational activities. He also worked to help people become self-reliant and maintained close contact with people from different sections of society.
Service through natural therapy
Natural therapy was another important area of Jena’s social engagement. During his service and after retirement, he provided services to people through a natural therapy centre.
He also trained several people in natural therapy, helping them acquire knowledge and skills in the field. His work in this area enabled him to remain closely connected with people seeking natural therapy and health-related assistance. His social work, association with natural therapy and long-standing involvement with the RSS remained closely intertwined throughout his life.
Last journey and tributes
Following his death, Jena’s mortal remains were taken from the government hospital at Unit-6 to his residence at Suryanagar. From there, the body was taken to Saraswati Shishu Vidya Mandir at Unit-8, where local residents, teachers, members of the school management committee and RSS karyakartas from different fields paid their last respects.
The mortal remains were subsequently taken to the premises of Utkal Bipanna Sahayata Samiti at Mancheswar. A large number of people, including saints and senior RSS functionaries, gathered there to pay tribute to the departed Swayamsevak.
Among those who paid their last respects were RSS Akhil Bharatiya Sadbhavana Pramukh Dr Gopal Prasad Mahapatra, Sah-Kshetra Pracharak Jagadish Prasad Khadanga, Kshetra Pracharak Pramukh Prasanna Kumar Mishra, Kshetra Karyavah Durga Prasad Sahu, former Prant Sanghchalak Bipin Bihari Nanda, Odisha East Prant Sanghchalak Samir Kumar Mahanti and Sah-Prant Sanghchalak Mansukhlal Sethia.
Sah-Prant Karyavah Engineer Sudarshan Das, Prant Pracharak Bipin Prasad Nanda, Sah-Prant Pracharak Asit Kumar Sahu and other senior functionaries also attended the tribute programme.
From the Odisha West Prant, Sanghchalak Dr Sanatan Pradhan, Prant Karyavah Ganesh Mahapatra and Prant Pracharak Shankar Panda were among those present. Prachar Pramukh Srishtidhar Biswal and members and functionaries from both prants also paid their respects.
Condolence meeting
A condolence meeting was organised at the venue. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Gopal Prasad Mahapatra recalled Jena’s long association with the RSS and highlighted various aspects of his organisational and social life.
Those present remembered Jena’s contribution to the expansion of organisational activities in Bhubaneswar, his engagement with students and young people, his work for publications and his service through natural therapy.
Higher Education Minister expresses grief
Odisha Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj also expressed grief over the demise of Gurucharan Jena. In a social media message, the minister described Jena as a distinguished social karyakarta, natural therapist and senior RSS Swayamsevak. He said Jena’s dedicated contribution to national service and social welfare would always be remembered.
Suraj prayed to Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath for the departed soul’s eternal peace and conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.
Last rites in native village
After the tributes in Bhubaneswar, Jena’s mortal remains were taken to his native village in Cuttack district. Family members, relatives and several prominent persons paid their last respects. His last rites were subsequently performed at the village cremation ground in the presence of family members, relatives and well-wishers.
Jena’s death marks the end of a life that, according to his associates, was closely dedicated to social service, natural therapy and organisational work. His colleagues and fellow Swayamsevaks remembered his long-standing commitment and contribution to the activities he was associated with.
