ABVP’s Organisational Architect Prof. Yashwantrao Kelkar Remembered Through ‘Priya Kelkar Ji’ Commemorative Presentation

New Delhi : Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) Delhi organised a special commemorative programme titled ‘Priya Kelkar Ji’ on the occasion of the birth centenary year of ABVP’s organisational architect and former National President Prof. Yashwantrao Kelkar Ji at Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Civic Centre. The programme was attended by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale Ji as the Chief Guest.

On this occasion, former ABVP National President Prof. Rajkumar Bhatia Ji, National President Prof. RaghurajKishore Tiwari Ji, Akhil Bharatiya Chhatra Karya Pramukh Manu Sharma Kataria Ji, ABVP Delhi President Dr. Tapan Bihari Ji and ABVP Delhi Secretary Sarthak Sharma Ji were present. Senior RSS Pracharaks, Vice Chancellors, Registrars and Professors from various universities, the Speaker of Delhi Legislative Assembly, Ministers of the Delhi Government, Karyakartas of other Sangh-affiliated organisations and a large number of students were also present in the programme.

A nationalist thinker, organisational architect and a profound source of inspiration for student movement rooted in national consciousness, Prof. Yashwantrao Kelkar Ji was born on 25 April 1925 in Pandharpur (Solapur), Maharashtra. Considering national service as the mission of his life since his student days, Kelkar Ji became a Pracharak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in 1945. In 1955, he began teaching as a Professor of English at National College and, following the directions of the Sangh, started working for Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad. Through his distinctive style of functioning, ABVP received ideological clarity, organisational vision and a unique methodology of cadre-building, which gave ABVP a strong pan India presence. He played a pioneering role in establishing student power as a force for nation-building.

During the programme, the performance troupe led by Milind Bhadge from Pune presented ‘Priya Kelkar Ji’ in a impactful manner, portraying the life, thoughts and organisational methodology of Prof. Kelkar Ji. The presentation highlighted ABVP’s style of functioning, planning in detail and planning in advance, time management, discipline, collective functioning and the vibrant cadre-building methodology which Prof. Kelkar Ji embodied through his life.

Addressing the gathering, RSS Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale Ji said, “Balasaheb Deoras Ji used to say that Yashwantrao Kelkar Ji was a true inheritor of Dr. Hedgewar’s legacy. Prof. Kelkar Ji provided the organisational principles on which ABVP’s strong foundation was built. He ensured that ABVP was not limited merely to agitations, but was guided towards constructive work, representation and nation-building. Through teamwork, punctuality, simplicity, optimum utilisation of resources and an affectionate organisational methodology, Prof. Kelkar Ji presented an ideal model of organisational life. He was a personality who carried everyone together without any jealousy or bitterness. His life remains an eternal source of inspiration for workers.”

Highlighting ABVP’s organisational methodology and vision for life, he further said, “While working with Prof. Yashwantrao Kelkar Ji, I received a vision for life in ABVP, which further nurtured and enriched in the Sangh.”

ABVP National President Prof. Raghuraj Kishore Tiwari Ji said, “The life-journey of Prof. Yashwantrao Kelkar Ji is an ideal for every karyakarta. The methodology of functioning that ABVP follows across the nation today has been bestowed by Prof. Kelkar Ji. His life teaches us that there should be no difference between words and actions in the life of a karyakarta.”

Former ABVP National President Prof. Rajkumar Bhatia Ji said, “If we wish to understand the personality of Prof. Kelkar Ji and ABVP’s methodology of functioning, it is essential to seriously study the literature based on his life and thoughts. Prof. Kelkar Ji considered ABVP as a workshop for personality development.”