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 23rd 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 8th . 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 30th January 1948
Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated and Sangha baiters took full advantage of this
situation. They started defaming Sangh on every front. On 4th 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 5th 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 26th 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 13th 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 15th 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 18th
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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