Revatibai and Balirampant Hedgewar who basically hailed from Nagpur was blessed with Keshav Baliram Hedgewar as their 5th son on the first day of April 1889. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar lost his parents at the tender age of 8. Keshav Baliram despite poverty always wanted to do his bit for the society. Keshav never compromised on his self-respect. Often even when he was hungry, he would not approach his friends for food. It was not in his nature to stretch his hand before anybody for anything. But poverty never effected his studies and his determination to chase his dreams.
22 June 1897, On that day when Queen Victoria of England completed exactly 60 years of her ascent to the British Throne. The atmosphere of festivity of that Diamond Jubilee prevailed in all their colonies. The British Government has ordered for a grand celebration of the occasion in every village and town in Bharath too. The poor were served with food and The rich were conferred with valuables.
A mood of celebration among people in Nagpur was evident from their new attire, etc. Children rushing to schools to collect their share of sweets which were to be distributed.
But in middle of all this, one young boy was not happy and looked frustrated. He threw away the sweets given to him, and sat alone in a corner with a gloomy face.
His elder brother came and asked him, “Why are you depressed? Didn’t you get the sweets?” The boy answered ‘What’s there in that sweet?” – the boy pointed to the sweets thrown away by him and added, “But why should we celebrate the jubilee of the Queen who has snatched away our Bhonsle’s kingdom?”
The sweets was nothing more than bitterness for the boy and it mocked at his self-respect. He was barely eight at that time. Patriotism had already gripped his heart, The boy was eventually grew up to become famous as Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar. He founded the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, which is apparently world’s largest non-government volunteer organization with a soul intention of abolishing cast system in Hindu society and bring Hindu community together to sand up and fight for their rights together. Dr Hedgewar had awakened self-respect and patriotism among the Hindus. Despite all hardship Keshav obtained L. M. S.’ degree in 1914 from Calcutta Medical College. He was then offered in Bangkok which he turned down since he had decided to dedicate his entire life for the cause of the nation. His life should be a great inspiration to every youth in this country and his journey cannot be documented in just few paragraphs. Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar is definitely one of the greatest personalities this nation every saw and today is the 76th death anniversary of Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar. Remembering the legend who dedicated all his life to save Hinduism and Hindusthan. He is gone but his ideologies and still thrive in millions of hearts.
Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar will always be remembered.
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