MAKERS OF MODERN INDIA-1

MADHAV SADASHIV GOLWALKAR
[SHRI GURU JI]

Shri Golwalkar was born on 19 February 1906 at Ramtek near Nagpur, Maharashtra, and was the only surviving son among the nine children of his parents. He was the son of Sadashivrao, a school teacher and Lakshmibai. He spent his childhood in Nagpur.Sadshivrao his father had suffered an era of poverty in his early days. Madhav was brilliant from childhood only, irrespective of living in adverse conditions he mastered over languages like Hindi and English. He was so powerful in English Language that he had read Shakespeare in full while he was in primary education.
Shri Golwalkar completed his Bachelor of Science in 1926 and Master of Science degree 1928 with first class in Zoology at Banaras Hindu University founded by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya.He had also tried to do thesis on Marine Life but was not able to complete due to inability of finance. Later he became a teacher (Guruji in Hindi) at BHU, a name which stuck to him for the rest of his life. Golwalkar came in contact with the Ramakrishna Mission at [Nagpur]. Later, on the expiry of his teaching term, he returned to Nagpur and by 1935, completed his study of law and also obtained L.L.B. Degree.
On 13 January 1937 Guruji was initiated into the Ramakrishna Order by Swami Akhandananda, a direct disciple of Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and gurubandhu of Swami Vivekananda. Shri Golwalkar eventually received his 'diksha' and became a sanyasi.

Involvement with the RSS

 In the meantime, Bhaiyyaji Dani, a student at BHU and a close associate of RSS sarsanghachalak K. B. Hedgewar, started an RSS shakha (branch). Golwalkar joined the RSS and eventually, following a meeting with Dr.Hedgewar, went to the RSS' "Officers Training Camp" in Nagpur.

Dr. Hedgewar was deeply impressed by Golwalkar and seeing him as a potential successor, persuaded him to take a more active role in the Sangh. On his new role, Golwalkar said: “Like spirituality, organization of the Nation has also been my inclination from early days. I believe that I would be in a better position to achieve it successfully being a part of the Sangh.”. In 1939, he was appointed the Sarkaryavah (General Secretary) of the Sangh.
Dr. Hedgewar eventually died of multiple complications on June 21, 1940, and Golwalkar succeeded him as sarsanghachalak as per the wishes of Dr. Hedgewar, that he had expressed in a letter, that was requested to be opened only after his [(Dr. Hedgewar)] death.
Golwalkar was the force behind the formation of the organisations that comprise today the numerous network of socio-cultural activities in the entire country, popularly referred to as Sangh Parivar.
His birth centenary was commemorated in 2006-07 in every district of India (Bharat) and also in over 30 countries.
His complete works are now available in different Indian languages and English.

Great Spiritualist And Visionary Patriot

1906 Born 19 February - Magha Krishna 11, Shaka 1827 in Nagpur. Only surviving son among 9 children. Affectionately called "MADHU" by mother. Father's name is Shri Sadashiv Balkrishna Golwalkar and Mother's name is Laxmibai (Taijee). 1922 Completes Matriculation Examination 1924 Completes Intermediate Examination at Hislop College, Nagpur 1926 Passes B.Sc. Examination at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) 1928 Passes M.Sc.(Zoology) Examination at B.H.U., Banaras, U.P. 1929 Goes to Madras for further studies but returns to Nagpur 1930 Teaches at Banaras Hindu University. First contact with RSS. 1932 Appointed Sanghchalak at B.H.U. Meets RSS founder Dr. Hedgewar at Nagpur. 1933 Guruji returns to Nagpur and joins Law College 1934 Appointed Karyawaha (Secretary) of Nagpur Shakha and sent to Bombay as full time worker, Pracharak. 1935 Completes L.L.B. course. 1936 His urge towards spiritual salvation takes him to Sargachi in Bengal State. Takes DEEKSHA from Swami Akhandanandji of Ramakrishna Math. 1937 Returns to Nagpur following samadhi of Swami Akhandanandji. Translates speeches of Swami Vivekananda delivered at 1893 Chicago Religious Conference. Also wrote "WE OR OUR NATIONHOOD DEFINED" in three days. 1938 Appointed Sarvadhikari of OTC, Officer's Training Camp. 1939 Sent to Calcutta for Sangh work. 1939 Appointed Sar-Karyavaha , all India General Secretary, at Guru Pooja Utsav. 1940 RSS founder Dr. Hedgewar died on 21 June at 9.27 a.m. Shri Guruji is appointed as next SARSANGHCHALAK on 3 July. 1942 Calls for more Pracharaks. Thousands of swayamsevaks offer to devote full time for Sangh Work. 1945 Second World War ends. The shadow of partition looms over the country. Shri Guruji visits Sindh. 1947 3700 swayamsevaks attend Sangh Shiksha Varg in Punjab. Bharat attains Independence on 15 August. But country is divided. 1948 On 30 January Mahatma Gandhiji is assassinated. Sangh wrong-fully banned on 4th Feb by Government. Shri Guruji and thousands of swayamsevaks are arrested. Over eighty thousand swayamsevaks offered Satyagraha to get the ban lifted. 1949 Ban on Sangh is lifted on 12 July. Shri Guruji tours the country and is given a tumultuous welcome everywhere. 1952 Delegates to Pandit Deen Dayalji the work of Jan Sangh. Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram is formed. 1955 Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh work started. Shri Dattopant Thengdiji delegated to do the work. 1956 51st birthday is celebrated with several huge functions. 1962 Smriti-Mandir, Memorial, at Doctorji's Samadhi in Nagpur is inaugurated. 1964 Vishwa Hindu Parishad is formed. 1965 Participates in Security meeting called by Prime Minister Shri Lal Bahadur Shastriji at the time of Indo-Pak war. 1966 1st conference of Vishwa Hindu Parishad takes place at the time of Maha-Kumbha in Prayag and delegates work to Dada Saheb Apteji 1970 Vivekananda Rock Memorial inaugurated, it's work entrusted to Shri Eknath Ranadeji, former Sar-karyavaha. Shri Guruji operated for Chest Cancer. 1971 A letter of congratulations is sent to Prime Minister Shrimati Indira Gandhiji on victory in war with Pakistan (which results in formation of Bangladesh - formerly East Pakistan). 1972 Akhil Bharatiya Karyakarta Baithak, all-India worker's meeting, takes place at Thane, Mumbai. 1972/73 Health in the later part of the year deteriorates. Tours the country for the last time. 1973 Returns to Nagpur on 14 March. Attends Pratinidhi Sabha, representative's meet, and speaks for the last time. Participated in the evening Sangh Prarthana on 5 June and there after breathed his last around 9p.m. For 33 years he toured the country, guided swayamsevaks, met dignitaries, social and religious leaders, politicians, thinkers old and young and wrote thousands of letters giving guidance in varied fields of life. He had left three letters for the swayamsevaks. The first letter was related to the appointment of Poojaneeya Balasaheb Deoras as the next Sarsanghchalak. In the second letter he expresses a desire that there should not be any memorial in his name. The third letter - In all humility he also begged forgiveness from the swayamsevaks for any displeasure to the swayamsevaks that might have occurred while he was the Sarsanghchalak.