Guruji’s directive changed my life
Ramakrishna (Dada) Ganesh Joshi
Born in Vasai, Papadi, 1925
Contributed by: Rohini Abhyankar
I spoke to Ramakrishna (Dada) Joshi at his residence in Girgaon, Mumbai on a Sunday morning over tea. We had a long chat where he shared many pleasant memories from his accomplished life. Here is a particularly memorable one…
Ramakrishna came from a poor family. He was the eldest of the six boys in the family. Ramakrishna was a volunteer for Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) since he was 12 years old.
In the year 1942, when he was in Intermediate Collage, a lot of people left homes to become full time workers (Pracharaks) for RSS. Ramakrishna also registered for Officer’s Training Camp (OTC), a month long training program for the Pracharaks.
It was here that Ramakrishna came in contact with Golwalkar Guruji, the then head of the organization. Guruji knew everyone personally, knew names of all the Pracharaks. He addresses Ramakrishna by name and asked him “Are you planning to be a Pracharak?” Guruji knew that Ramakrishna was a second year college student. He also knew Ramakrishna’s family situation. Guruji asked Shivaram Pant Jogelekar, the regional head, “Will this young man be going?” Shivram Pant answered in affirmative. Guruji thought for a while and said to Ramakrishna that he should become a Pracharak only after completing his college education.
This lead Ramakrishna to complete his education and looking back this seems like the single most life changing event of his entire life. He is very thankful to Late Guruji for his far sighted advice.
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