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The first Sangh shakha was founded in 1925 at Mohitewada in Nagpur, where Dr Hedgewar Bhavan, the RSS headquarter, is now situated. Mohitewada was then a prime centre of old Nagpur city. Dr Hedgewar's residence was about half a mile away on the other side in ltawari locality, which was then a prominent commercial place, where Shri Balasaheb's father lived. Balasaheb became a swayamsevak in 1926, when he was about 11. After completing my primary education in my village I also came to Nagpur at about the same period. i was staying with my maternal uncle in Sitabardi in new Nagpur city. The Sangh shakha started in Sitabardi in 1926 where I started attending the shakha. Shri Anna Soni, then Sharirik Pramukh, usually attended our shakha.
However I met Shri Balasaheb Deoras for the first time in 1929 at a winter camp held at a ground where the Nagpur Airport is now situated. Swayamsevaks of our shakha were directed to reach the camp site early for making the necessary arrangements for the camp. Balasaheb who at that time was about 15 years young was also there. I remember Balasaheb as the Pramukh (incharge) of the camp. He made all arrangements for the camp and conducted the camp successfully. Since he was an ideal swayamsevak, he gradually rose in the Sangh, and finally became Sarsanghchalak of the RSS. I was witness to an ordinary swayamsevak becoming a Mukhya Sikshak, then a Shakha Karyavah, a Varga Sikshak, Sarkaryavah and then a Sarsanghchalak.
During the early stages of RSS we used to have Kusha Pathak in the shakhas considered to be of great importance. In this Pathak physical mental and education was imparted to the selected young swayamsevaks. Balasaheb was a swayamsevak of that Kusha Pathak.
Balasahebji met Dr Saheb almost every day at the shakha. However, Dr Saheb used to visit our shakha thrice a week. Dr Saheb displayed rare qualities of leadership. He himself cleaned the Sanghasthan (the site where a shakha is held), and sprinkled water there brought from a nearby well. He participated in physical activities along with other swayamsevaks. Balasaheb observed all these rare qualities of Dr Hedgewar and was quick to imbibe them.
Author By Vasantrao Oak
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