31. Candid Conversation:

Doctorjee's views about Sangha, prior to India's Independence, in his own words.

Mr. Atre explained that Doctorjee was expected to be a guest at his home, during Doctorjee's visit to Pune, as the President of "Hindu Yuvak Parishad".(Hindu Youth Forum). Everyone at Mr. Atre's home was nervous, anticipating the visit of a VIP guest. Within few minutes of his arrival, Doctorjee freely mixed with all. His mild manners and freely shared jokes put everyone instantly at ease. They all began easy conversations with him with no trace of formality, as if he was one of the family. This led to the following conversation about the political situation in India in late 1930s.

Doctorjee: “ I have the highest respect for Mahatma Gandhiji and the congress movements under his leadership. But I have chosen to work in a different field which complements and supports the Freedom Movement. There is no need for one person to tackle all aspects (of the Freedom Movement). I feel that a worker with limited energy and resources should focus himself on a well-defined small aspect. This can result in better advantage to the Freedom Movement as a whole. Since this is not happening in the society, I feel that many social workers are wasting away their efforts on general non-focused endeavors."

One Of Mr. Atre's friends : (glancing at Mr. Atre): "He (Mr. Atre) feels that I should be the one who does attempt all projects".

Doctorjee (smiling): " I don't feel that this is the right approach. As far as I am concerned, I have defined my field, my focus of work. I feel that the youth of the land have been utterly neglected".

I (Mr. Atre): " I see youth leading and participating in all aspects of the Freedom Movement. How can you, therefore, say that we are utterly neglecting our young people?"

Doctorjee: (after a moment of silence): "What you say is the truth. However, mere participation by young people does not mean that they are well-organized, or that they have the necessary qualities and morale to carry on the struggle. I feel that these young people have jumped into the fray in a half-baked, untrained state. It is critical that their power and personalities should fully bloom with proper "Samskaras” and moral training. For this purpose, an organization operating nation-wide dedicated to develop physical fitness and moral virtues in all our young people, is critically needed. The Congress Party seems to have given little thought to this crucial need."

I (Mr. Atre): "Then, do you plan to build such an organization, staying completely aloof from the Freedom Movement?"

Doctorjee: "At the outset, it may appear to be that way. Some people have already voiced their objections about this.But, to throw our youth to the wolves, untrained (i.e. to make them jump into the Freedom Movement) is harmful to them as well as counter-productive to the Movement. Is it fair to send young, fresh recruits to the battlefield without military training?"

Every listener, seemed to be in complete agreement with Doctorjee.

Mr. Atre: "How long will such training last?"

Doctorjee (immediately smiling): "Till its completion!" The room exploded into laughter.

Doctorjee proceeded: " As far as I am concerned I am pulling out of all other programs and fully applying all of my energy to proceed full speed ahead in our own way, in our work. I firmly believe that this organization will be of benefit to our country. Looking to the vast scope of our undertaking, I am worried that my efforts alone will not at all be sufficient to carry it to fruition. I cannot predict what the future holds for this work. However, I am not at all pessimistic. My work is different from defeatist pessimism!"

Mr. Atre: " I don't know about Sangha work first hand, but I have come to know quite a few Swayamsevaks. I sometimes wonder about their attitude and behavior. I had arranged for a "Sahabhojana" (eating a meal together) program with the so called "untouchable" people. When I requested help in this work from Swayamsevaks, they refused.

Doctorjee (clear voice, firm tone): "If this alone is your objection, I must say that I agree with our Swayamsevaks' action. I would have said that they were wrong, if they had shown disrespect to the concept of eradication of untouchability. But such artificial, showmanship type programs (like "Sahabhojana") occurring at long, irregular intervals are a futile wastage of time and energy. They do nothing to solve the problem. It is not the policy of Sangha to fritter the energies of Swayamsevaks in such programs".

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