Author:
Publication: Uttarapath.wordpress.com
Date: July 18, 2023
URL:      https://uttarapath.wordpress.com/2023/07/18/vinayakrao/

Withdrawal is the most difficult thing, especially for those who have been constantly active all their life. Even for a householder, it is very painful to handover the reigns to the next generation and take retirement. Though they have eagerly waited for the progeny and groomed them enthusiastically right from childhood, when the actual time comes, there is a tendency to procrastinate. For a dedicated full time Pracharak also, it is a test to withdraw when the responsibility is changed. Even when the new duty commands full attention, one lingers on in the previous role for some time. We cannot imagine how momentous it would be for those who are relieved of all the organisational responsibilities due to advanced age. Vinayakrao Kanetkar was an exception to this organisational attachment. He very gracefully relinquished the mantle of Sangathan Mantri of Bharatiya Shikshan Mandal in 2016.

It was then that the words of Parampoojya Sarasanghachalak made complete sense. When given responsibility of Sah Sangathan Mantri in 2012 under the mentorship of Vinayakrao who was Sangathan Mantri then, Dr. Mohanrao Bhagwat had commented, “You are very fortunate to get the golden opportunity of working with one of the ideal Sangh Pracharaks. Learn from him.” The whole decade long journey was constant realisation of what Parampoojya meant. Vinayakrao was no doubt an ideal Sangh Pracharak of the batch of fine senior Pracharaks of 1960s. His pracharak jeevan was more than my age. But his seniority and vast experience never became hurdle in our relationship.

It was a unique friendship. He was very active for his age and physical condition, after recovering from a fatal renal ailment. He had to change the stents implanted in his urinary tracts every six months. But he took the prognosis very religiously and followed doctor’s instructions with complete sangha discipline. The punctuality of medication along with strict adherence to the dietary plan kept him very fit even in the septuagenarian era. His daily routine was meticulous and included physical exercise, pranayama and regular Shakha. I don’t think he missed Sangha Prarthana even for a day.

Though completely unattached, his relationships with the old swayamsevaks from his area of responsibility continued for three generations in many cases. He kept track of all the children and other relatives, even of his five-decade old acquaintances. Most of his pracharak work was spent in the North-Eastern part of Bharat, more specifically Assam. He kept all the contacts updated in his own hand through a very scientific diary keeping. Many successful professionals, businessmen, officers and such would proudly claim to have played in his lap. His Sampark was continuous and planned. He adapted to the communication technology effortlessly. The motivation must have been the easy contact management.

This sangha style sampark also continued to his own family consisting of three brothers and two sisters, their children and grandchildren. He had kept in touch with most of his classmates from school and college and their next generation. Once in Pune, he introduced an old lady as daughter of his third standard classmate. I fervently tried unsuccessfully to remember at least one classmate from my primary school. It was 28 years recent than his primary days. But I could not remember any one. Here he was not just remembering but keeping track of their sons and daughters. This was way before the social media helped reunions. This was old school method of physical phonebook updated every year and correspondence through snail mail, mostly the frugal postcards.

He had a knack of introducing me as his Sahayogi (assistant). Though not technically correct, it felt very homely the way he said, like a proud father introducing his son taking over his family enterprise. Mentoring with mutual respect and fondness was his attitude in all the organisational meetings. Our last names were very similar, only differing in one syllable. He would not tolerate anyone pronouncing both in same way. He would not only correct their pronunciation but also explain the difference in sub-caste. It was very amusing as well as guiding. He wanted to make it clear that our relationship was of the common cause and organisational bonding many times thicker than blood. He was genuinely both happy and proud when the organisation took off and grew exponentially. Real Karmayogi witnessing the activity with complete alertness without any unnecessary interference, another ideal way to guide and mend new generation, a proportionate mix of gentle nudge here and there, a simple caution and lots of encouragement and freedom. His enthusiasm in all the International Conferences and the Virat Gurukul Sammelan was very lively and inspiring. He never expected to be recognised, on the other hand he would discourage any unnecessary attention. He would attentively sit in the audience throughout the whole event without complaint or expectation of being invited on stage. When the Organizers tried to put him in limelight, he would not shy to reprimand publicly that it was against the Sangha Sanskriti.

He knew multiple languages such as Assamese, Bangla, Gujarati, Hindi and of course his mother tongue Marathi. He had taken Spoken Sanskrit class and could converse flawlessly in the language of divine. But he was in his best mood speaking Assamese. Banks of Brahmaputra was his real home. After Vanaprastha also, an annual visit there would charge him for the whole year.

Music was his another love. A learned listener of classical music, he could sing very melodiously. Though not formally trained, his knowledge and practice of Hindustani classical music was exceptional. Reading was always up to date. He would read minimum three newspapers completely every day and would recommend relevant articles published in various languages. Ready to learn new things including the communication gadgets and apps of video conferencing kept him young till the end.

Most impressive was his active withdrawal from the organisational work. Without cutting off completely, he stopped indulging entirely. It is surprising how he could both take keen interest in all the happenings without slightest interference. His sense of propriety was ideal like everything else. He understood his role exactly and played it to the script without any personal additions or variations — No gossip, no cross communication, never any confusion or misunderstanding. He attended all the meetings where he was expected. Even after being relieved of formal responsibilities and when it was not mandatory to attend all the sessions, he seldom missed any. Introduction of Vistarak Yojana in Bharatiya Shikshan Mandal was his dream. He was a constant friend, philosopher, guide of all the young Karyakartas.

- Vinayakrao Kanetkar was a perfect outcome of the unparalleled man-making institution called Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.