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WE WORSHIP THOU: O’BHARATMATA25 October 1936, the day of Vijayadashmi, was the turning point for the women of Bharat. Shri Yadav Madhav Kale, Presided over the inaugural function of the Samiti. The ‘Bhagva’ the banner of Hindu pride was unfurled. A large number of girls and ladies had gathered. Those were the days when the women remained confined within the four walls of the home. Hence, it was a revolutionary idea that such a large number of ladies and girls should break the tradition-bound chains and dedicate themselves to the Samiti work. Samiti turned into a training ground to mould the women into disciplined Sevikas. It kindled a flame of patriotic fervour in their hearts. The premises of the Samiti echoed with the hymns and the patriotic songs. Lakshmibai, an affectionate and warm person, became guide, confidant and a role model for the Sevikas. All the Sevikas began calling her as ‘Mausiji’ who was like a mother to them. She became the most revered figure, due to her selfless service and devotion - thus Lakshmibai, was soon addressed V1rc’niya Mausiji. The Tarun Bharat rightly wrote about Vandaniya Mausiji’s unique work whilst paying rich tributes to her after her demise:- "Vandaniya Mausiji in the days when society didn’t permit women to go out of their homes was able to bring them together and unite them into vibrant organization. Women participated in outdoor exercises and showed that they were no longer meek and submissive but powerful Sevikas." Dr. Hedgewar was guiding the working of the Samiti constantly. He sent two swayamsevaks to the Samiti, to conduct a two-month long training course in physical education. Mausiji herself was very keen and enthusiastic; she took the training at par with other Sevikas. Although, the ideological principles, which guided the working of the Samiti, were the same as those of Sangh, yet, the Samiti evolved its own independent internal structure and working pattern suitable for women. The Sangh and the Samiti were like the two rails on railway track, which have a definite distance between them but run parallel to reach the same destination. In a very short span of time, the Samiti shakhas were established at various places of Vidharbha and Maharashtra under the able guidance of Mananiya Tai Apte, Tai Diwekar, Nani Kolte and Kamalabai Sohoni. Dr. Hedgewar motivated the women to start new Samiti Shakhas. The incident of the first meeting between Vandaniya Mausiji and Mananiya Tai Apte is rather touching. Dr. Hedgewar gave a letter of introduction to Vandaniya Mausiji and asked her to meet Tai Apte at Pune. Vandaniya Mausiji reached Pune with her youngest son, Anand. When Mausiji reached Tai’s residence, she was all set to go out and was in the process of locking the entrance of her residence. The two were seeing each other for the first time, yet, both felt as though they had always known each other. Mausiji introduced herself, "I am Lakshmi Kelkar. I have come from Wardha". "I know, Dr. Hedgewar had spoken about you and I instantly recognized you the moment I looked at you", Tai replied happily. The tears of joy filled her eyes. Their meeting was like the holy union of Lakshmi and Saraswati. The amazing similarity between their thoughts and ideology surprised Mausiji. She returned to Wardha, confident and satisfied that as long as women like Tai dedicated themselves to the Samiti, its flag would fly high and it would make progress in leaps and bounds. Mausiji was nervous and shy of speaking in the public. No sooner did she stand to speak, she began to sweat and shiver. She couldn’t gather the courage to express herself. Hence, she often asked either Venutai or Kalinditai to speak on her behalf. But soon, Mausiji realized that if she wanted her thoughts and ideas to be put forth most effectively and forcefully before the people, she would have to overcome her nervousness and be a good orator. The word, impossible was not in her dictionary. Once Mausiji was determined, she began practicing the art of public speaking. She wrote her own speeches and recited them in the privacy of her home. Whenever she came across a worthy quotation, she copied it in her diary and pondered how it could be used effectively in a speech. Very soon, Mausiji mastered the art of public speaking. An impressive voice, clear diction and soul-stirring vocabulary, were the highlights of her oration. The famous Marathi poet ‘Anil’ (A.R. Deshpande) has said about Mausiji, She is one of the greatest orators of Marathi, Cassettes must be prepared of her speeches, so that the people can learn the art of oration from Vandaniya Mausiji’s speeches". Wardha was also growing with the passage of time. It was becoming time-consuming to reach and contact people on foot. Mausiji soon mastered the skill of cycling, taking the help of her son, Padmakar. At the age of thirty-five, Mausiji also learnt English. The work of Samiti had increased, and the Shakhas had spread far and wide. It had become essential for Mausiji to travel and reach wherever the Samiti or the Sevikas needed her. Umabai often worried how Lakshmi would travel alone. But Mai Nagle, Mausiji’s right hand, assured Umabai, that she would be always there to escort and take care of Lakshmibai. On Samiti’s first anniversary, Mausiji decided that a camp of the Sevikas should be organized. Prior to organizing the Sevika camp, she went to see the working of a Sangh camp. The preparation began for the camp. Mausiji met the mothers and explained to them the significance of the camp and the need for their daughters to be sent for it. The arrangements were also to be made for the lodging and the boarding of the girls. Those were the times when the girls didn’t stay in the homes of strangers. But Mausiji made arrangements for the girls to stay in the homes of various people and got a social acceptance to her revolutionary idea. The camp was a grand success every day, early in the morning,
Mausiji herself attended the ‘Prabhat Shakha’. The girls who went to attend the
Prabhat Shakha, banged the dands on their way. This disturbed the sleep of some
people. Mausiji learnt about it, and told the girls to march with the dands on
their shoulders. She explained to them that no action of theirs should annoy
people. Thus, Mausiji inculcated a sense of discipline and social belonging
among the young sevikas and no untoward incident took place during the camp. -
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