Keshav Baliram Hedgewar Biography 
Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar was the founding Sarsanghachalak (supreme leader) of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Hedgewar founded the RSS in Nagpur, Maharashtra in 1925, promoting the concept of a united India deeply rooted in indigenous ideology. He was deeply influenced by great Indian personalities like Swami Vivekananda, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar and Aurobindo to initiate this movement.
Dr. Hedgewar was born on April 1, 1889 in Nagpur on the auspicious day of Gudi Padwa. He lost his parent at the age of 13 due to epidemic disease plague and hence had a hard childhood. His self-respect didn’t allow him to seek help from others despite being an orphan. He was interested in education and his elder brothers Mahadev pant and Sitaram pant ensured him with good education. While studying at Neel City High School in Nagpur, he was rusticated for singing "Vande Mataram". His school education was completed from Rashtriya Vidyalaya in Yavatmal and later in Pune. He passed L.M&S Examination from the National Medical College in June 1914 and returned to Nagpur in 1915 as a doctor.
Though physician was a respectable job in the society, they didn’t earn too much. Also people expected to open a new dispensary and clinic at village. But his dream was to become a full-time political activist and participate in Indian freedom struggle movement. He diverted his attention to the national movement launched by the Indian National Congress. He got involved with social work in his hometown and became an associate of Bal Gangadhar Tilak, through which he developed a close association with Dr. Moonje who later became his mentor. He participated actively in the Non-cooperation movement in 1920 and was imprisoned. But after release, his mind got separated from Muslims. With the intention of uniting Indians and to awaken the spirit of patriotism, he started RSS in 1925. Till now, it’s one of the most active political organizations of free India.
Published: N/A
Updated: January 16, 2014
