“Open secrets” of Gujarat R.S.S stalwart….

Shri Ramanbhai Shah

Can you imagine a young man in his early twenties postpones his marriage thrice and after marriage he skips his honeymoon just next day of his marriage. Well, you can easily guess he may be an army officer or a policewala, no you are wrong, he was neither an army man nor a police officer & yet he did it just because he felt his nation was calling him..it was a call of duty but in a different way..

Yes, this young man was Shri.Ramanlal Shah . Today Ramandada is 89, living fit & fine with his 18 member’s joyful family in Ahmedabad. Though he made his life an example  for others , he is a humble and down to earth soul even today. Recently his memoirs titled “Jeevan Sadhana”(In Gujarati Language) was launched by RSS Sarsanghchalak Shri Mohanji Bhagvat in Ahmedabad.

“Jeevan Sadhana”  is an interesting depiction of an Indian in making, a swayamsevak’s struggle & his love for his nation.This Gujarati book is divided in 34 chapters & spread in 258 pages.it is editorially supported by ace journalist Shri Raj Bhaskar.

The roller coaster life story Shri.Ramanlal Shah begins in a humble background family.  He was born in the Rampur Bhankoda village of Mehsana Dist. On 23^rd Sept.1925. His father’s name was Shri. Manilal & mother’s Smt. Champaben . His father was a businessman – cum – farmer making his living from his wholesale grain business & farming.

Shri.Ramanlal completed his primary school studies in Udalpur & shifted to Visnagar for further studying , from there he was again shifted to Mehsana as he failed in 8^th . But here he worked hard and passed the exam.

Meanwhile Gandhiji’s Quit India movement was started & in 1942 young Raman participated in it doing his matriculation year. He also successfully escaped from the clutches of Police during this movement. In 1942 Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh (R.S.S.) started its ‘SHAKHA’ (branch) in Mehsana . In 1943 the Sangh’s training camp was organized in Vadodara. He joined the camp & met other young swayamsevaks there. Second Sarasanghachalak of R.S.S. Shri.M.S.Golwalkar also guided the youth in that camp. It saw the seeds of nationalistic thinking in young Raman’s life . He took the pledge  to use his entire life for ‘Sangha Karya’(RSS activites)  to follow it he choose Bhavnagar’s Shamaldas college , so he can easily pursue his goal. Ramanbhai writes in the chapter ‘Sangha & New turn in my life’ , “ I didn’t know when I got engrossed myself with Sangha activity . In a less time I was attached to Sangha by all means. My life has taken new turn due to Sangh & my future was to move with a goal.”

During college days his R.S.S. activities became  stronger . There he met Shri.Bhide, a Swayamsevak who started Shakha in an ‘Akhada’ .Ramanbhai joined this shakha with his other college friend . Within few months his hostel room became a meeting point for these young nationlists. During 1946- 47 Vijayadashami celebration these young enthusiasts invited national poet Shri. Zaverchand Meghani to address the gathering. Zaverchandji happily accepted it & addressed the gathering . He also sang his famous song ‘Sonal Garasani’ on this occasion.

During early 40’s Sangha Shakhas spread in Limbdi, Surendranagar, Botad , Shihor ,Amreli & other parts of Saurashtra . Ramanbhai passed his B. A. ( Hons)

In R.S.S. it is said ‘once a swayamsevak , always a swayamsevak’  to prove this anecdote young Raman sometimes incurred unhappiness of his family . Once he wanted to go to Limbdi for a Dipawali training camp, meanwhile his sister Savita was seriously ill, he asked his father’s permission even in such situation & went to attend the camp, making his father unhappy. In an another incident he could not even attend his aunt’s last rites just because he was busy in Sangh karya in Surendranagar diistrict. After graduation he shifted to Surat as a Sangh Pracharak. In 1947 he & his friend Harshadbhai Parikh left their homes to serve the Nation. Ramanbhai was appointed in Surat . Meanwhile he kept on denying marriage proposals as he wanted to serve the nation as Sangh pracharak.

In Surat he took admission in M.T.B.college for further studies. Surat became a turning point in his  life . On 30^th January 1948 Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated and Sangha baiters took full advantage of this situation. They started defaming Sangh on every front. On 4^th Feb, 1948 Govt. Banned R.S.S. Ramanbhai was the First Swayamsevak  in Gujarat who was arrested for being a Swayamsevak . Interestingly  on the same year his marriage was finalized , so his father – in – law wanted him out of jail. Ramanbhai’s  father visited jail and asked him to apologize to the Govt. This could make his release easy. But young Raman denied this option and preferred to remain in jail .He & other R.S.S. Functionaries in jail were given political prisoners' status. Slowly they started Shakha in the jail itself. He met some Muslim & Communist prisoners also. In the meantime Shri. Laxmanrao Inamdar alias Vakilsaheb pleaded for these prisoners and after 4 months they were released. Interestingly when he was arrested, with Sangha Literature and his educational certificates his secondhand bicycle was also attached . This bicycle became his companion for 17 yrs.

As young Raman returned home his father-in-law immediately approached his family and marriage date was fixed, because this young man postponed his marriage thrice for Sanghakarya . He married to Kantaben on 5^th June 1948.

But, happy marriage was not a matter of solace for both the families because just after one day of his marriage he went to Bombay for an important Sangh meeting living his young wife , family members and invitees in waiting mode. This meeting also played an important role in his life. Sangh functionaries decided to start a magazine ‘Saavdhan’ from Vadodara & this  ‘just married ‘ young man was appointed as an editor of this proposed magazine .So a young couple started their marriage  life in a unique way.

       “Jeevan Sadhana”  is not about just making of a stalwart but it reflects the transformation of a common man. After his marriage Ramanbhai joined a school in khadiya to begin with, but within a few months he joined sanand high school. After a year he joined Model high school  in Gheekanta. He taught Eng., Guj., Sanskrit, there for consecutive ten years & retired as a principal.

Meanwhile ,his association with Sangh strengthened as he shifted to Maninagar . As it was decided in Bombay meeting , the Weekly magazine ‘Saavdhan’  was started on 26^th Nov.1948 under his editorship.

Ramanbhai writes  in the chapter “beginning with Saavdhan” , “Saavdhan became popular day by day , it was distributed by old volunteers & pracharaks . Former Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel , Stalwarts like chimanbhai Shukla , Arvindbhai Maniar were amongst them. Articles & News published in Saavdhan boosted up moral of Swayamsevaks  & provided true information.”

In this chapter Ramanbhai gives a thrilling account of Golwalkar Guruji’s Gujrat visit after the ban was lifted. He writes , “after the ban on R.S.S. Lifted Guruji travelled nationwide and he was welcomed everywhere wholeheartedly . His public speeches during this nationwide tour was published afterwards as ‘Amrutbindu’. This was the first authentic book about Sangh which was written by Guruji. Thus, started Sangh publications .

As Sangh activities were spreading leaps & bounds. Sanghbaiters also left no stone unturned to malign its activities. To give true account of R.S.S. For common public another magazine like Savdhan was needed urgently. After detailed discussions R.S.S. officebearers decided to start ‘Sadhana Prakashan Trust”. Ramanbhai was inducted as a trustee.

Shri Ramanbhai working in Sadhana office

On the auspicious day of Vijyadashmi , ‘Sadhana Magazine ‘ started . Ramanbhai gives an interesting account of Sadhana’s first issue. “We were to make arrangements for matter & printing, R.S.S. Swayamsevak  Shri. Maneklal Patel had his printing Press in Raykhad. He accepted responsibility of printing. In beginning even writing table  & chair was not available for the first issue. Shri.Vasantbhai Gajendra Gadkar, Shri.Chandubhai Bhavsar & I prepared the matter . Shri Chandubhai wrote a story,Shri Vasantbhai wrote a political article,Shri Vakilsaheb also wrote an article,professor Vanikar wrote on world views,thus first issue of “Sadhana” was published…” but for sadhana and its ‘sadhaks’  its journey proved a bumpy ride in its very young age.In 1975 Mrs. Indira Gandhi declared Internal emergency.Many political stalwarts arrested,newspapers were pre- cencored & more than 20,000 newspapers were sealed.Sadhana stood unmoved against injustice,on 13^th March, 1976 chief minister of Gujarat Shri Babubhai  jashbhai patel resigned and president’s rule was imposed in Gujarat.Sadhana’s properties were attached and editor Shri Vishnubhai Pandya was arrested under MISA. All the trustees were arrested ,but immediately new trust was formed.RSS prant pracharak Keshavrao Deshmukh, Narendrabhai Modi & Ramanbhai 

were not jailed,so they kept on publishing Sadhana.on 15^th August Sadhana published an anti emergency article.75000 copies of this issue were sold.Ultimately it incurred the wrath of government & police arrested trustees,publishers.The magazine was sealed.after a long  legal battle all the bans were lifted and Sadhana came out clean & clear.with this victory it took place in country’s finest journalistic endeavours.it became symbol of journalistic courage.

Shri Ramanbhai with Shri Atalbihari Vajpayee

In 1981 Sadhana completed its 25 succesful years.a special issue depicting its 25 years journey was inaugurated on 18^th October 1981 by the hands of BJP leader Shri Atal bihari Vajpayee.Atalji said “ we must take inspiration from the past,accept the challenges of the present and has to build glorious future,for this we need Sadhana- in life as well as in journalism.”

With the continuous progress of Sadhana, Ramanbhai fully involved himself in it’s activities.After a humble beginning with magazine Sadhana trust has started “Sadhana Pustak prakashan”, “Sadhana Mudranalay”,”Balbharti trust under his guidance & prospered rapidly.

Shri Ramandada with Sarsanghchalakji Dr.Mohanji Bhagvat

At the age of 89 Ramandada is not contended with his work.He gives all credit to his swayamsevak life.it would be interesting to note here that from second Sarsanghchalak Golvalkar Guruji to  present Sarsanghchalak Dr. Mohanji Bhagvat,all have visited his place & savored Gujarati meal made by kantaben.

Hum Saath Saath Hai..Happy Family Photo

Well, in this book Ramandada has depicted almost all the aspects of his life.It ranges from his “first love” Sadhana to his “all time love” his wonderful family. His pious wife kantaben,sons Ajitbhai & Jitubhai ,their caring wives,his grandsons,his daughter Ilaben & her daughters(who left the worldly pleasures & became Jain Sanyasinis),his immovable faith in Jain religion & Jain Maharajsaheb’s spiritual influences.

Maharajsaheb blessing Shri Ramandada

Some of his old colleagues have also written articles in this book.They memorized his services for Sadhana. An account of awards he received in his lifetime is also given in detail. The book is full of appropriate color & sepia photographs, some of the historically important snaps are rare today.

Jeevan Sadhana is not simply a memoir of a nationalist, it is a rare  document of a freedom movement with difference ,difficult times of our great democracy.this book is equally important for those who love RSS & those who hate it,because it is written by a humble swayamsevak. Sangh’s  ideals of nationalism & brotherhood are reflected on every page of this book,because they were actually lived by Ramandada. Ramandada’s contribution in Gujarati journalism as a trustee & contributor of Sadhana is unforgettable & now his memoir is another feather in his cap.Present & future generations will be always grateful to him for his great contribution & his wonderful book.

(‘Jeevan Sadhana’ book is not available in the market,for the copy pl. Contact Shri Ajitbhai Shah, Ajit Ads, behind Patang Hotel, Ashram Road,Ahmedabad. He can be contacted through ajitads@gmail.com .Ajitbhai is planning to publish this book in e format also.)

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