BJP TODAY

September 16--30, 2005 - Vol. 14, No. 18

Kushabhau was "shilpi "
of BJP: Advaniji
From Our Correspondent

BJP National President and Leader of Opposition, Shri L. K. Advani has said that the most notable nation-building movement with a cultural awakening message to the masses was launched in the beginning of the twentieth century by the RSS at a time when the nation needed it the most. In this movement, the personality of late Shri Kushabhau Thakre stands out as the sculptor of cultured and patriotic party workers. "He transformed himself to become a foundation stone for the nation building dedicating himself to the nation and the organisation," he added.

Shri Advani was speaking on the occasion of the release of a three-volume book, Shilpi on the late Kushabhau Thakre at a grand function on August 28 attended by the MP Chief Minister Shri Babulal Gaur, RSS Sah Sarkaryavah Shri Madan Das Devi. He said that Kushabhau Thakre was in a true sense the sculptor in the party organisation. He sculptured party office bearers and workers into true servants of the nation. By his selfless conduct and dedicated functioning, Shri Thakre always inspired the younger generation to serve the nation.

Shri Advani said that BJP owes its present position to the sacrifices of some stalwarts and the values inculcated in them by the RSS. He recalled Shri Kushabhau Thakre's simplicity and commitment to values and said that what was common between him and Deendayal Upadhyaya, the founder of Jan Sangh, was that both were the most unassuming personalities who never claimed credit for anything for themselves. Shri Thakre was always in the forefront encouraging the party workers and showing them the way, Shri Advani recalled. BJP was at the helm of affairs at the Centre for six years only due to the efforts and sacrifices of leaders like Shri Thakre. BJP party organisation is very affective only due to the qualities of those "carved and sculpted' by the RSS, he added.

Recalling the roll played by leaders like Lokmanya Tilak, Vir Savarkar and Mahatma Gandhi, during the freedom movement, Shri Advani said that it was during the that period that one also witnessed one of the biggest social movements launched by Shri Keshav Baliram Hegdewar who founded the RSS. The spirit behind the RSS movement was the same as that of Swami Vivekanand, who felt that the "country needs a man-making machine".

RSS Sah Sarkaryavah Shri Madan Das Devi said that the personality of the late Shri Kushabhau Thakre was a great source of inspiration to all workers. Transparency was the greatest virtue in the personality of Shri Thakre who overcame every sort of difficulty to strengthen the organisation till the last breath of his life. He was in touch with thousands of party workers, he added.

Earlier, making references to some historic correspondence Shri Thakre had with national leaders, Shri Prabhat Jha, editor of the book, threw light on the hitherto unknown aspects of the greatness of Shri Thakre's personality and his simplicity. He said Shri Thakre had lived a life wedded to his ideology, the noble cause of nation building and devotion to cherished values.

MP Chief Minister Shri Babulal Gaur described late Shri Kushabhau Thakre as a man of commitment, whose virtue was simplicity. His contribution to strengthening the party network and the organisation in Madhya Pradesh was valuable. He made a humble start as a simple volunteer and was assigned the greater responsibility as national president only because of his hard work and inspiring leadership. He recalled his days with Shri Thakre and paid rich tributes to him.

Most of the senior State BJP leaders, members of the council of ministers and MLAs attended the programme.