Strong In Mind And Body

Soon after joining the college, Keshav (Doctorji) developed intimate friendship with students coming from different provinces. He utilized his leisure in cultivating them. He soon became the most sought after friend of all. Hardly was there any one who was not drawn to him. Such was his friendly and amiable disposition.

Just like his strong mind, Doctorji had also developed strong body. He used to exercise daily without break. Milk was taken in plenty to cope with the exercises. Even in Jail, he did not give up daily exercise. Thereby his body became well built and shapely.

Intolerant Of Egoists; Friends Of Sufferers

Righteous indignation was a special trait of Doctorji. He was prompt to react to injustice or oppression of any kind. Once during the college vacation, he had gone to Yeotmal (a city in Bharat). He was on an evening stroll with his friends in the city area. It was the time when Bharat was under the control of British. On the way they saw that a British Deputy Commissioner (D.C.) was approaching them. The British officers in those days were full of arrogance. An unwritten code required that the local people were to move away to make way for the British officers and salute them. This was intimated to Doctorji by his friends.

He, however, did not care and went ahead in the usual way without saluting. The Deputy Commissioner came close, but Doctorji remained passive. The former then had to move away him. But how could the high-strung D.C. swallow such an insult? He turned back and burst out, “Don’t you know the etiquette here?”

With his hands in his coat pockets, Doctorji retorted, “What have I to do with the manner here? I come from the Capital City of Nagpur. Nothing like this is observed in Nagpur. And mind you, it’s not proper to salute an unknown person.” Seething with anger, the D.C. departed helplessly.

Born Patriot and fearless Doctorji

Doctorji never tolerated any insult either to the nation or to national leaders. Once a public meeting was held under the chairmanship of Liyaqat Hussain. One of the speakers passed some disparaging remarks about Lokmanya Tilak who was a great patriot and freedom fighter. Doctorji could not tolerate such insulting remarks on Lokmanya Tilak. Furious Doctorji rushed to the dais and slapped the errant speaker in full public view! Nobody dared to stop Doctorji!!

Friend of sufferers

Doctorji was full of sympathy for those caught in any kind of distress. In 1913, river Damodar in Bengal province of Bharat was in spate. People, animals, homes, and huts were inundated under the floods. Doctorji with his friends swung into action. They rushed to the spot for protecting the sufferers and bringing succor in their hour of travail. He served food to the hungry and spoke words of courage and confidence as they had lost all hopes about their life. Keshavrao busied himself day and  night. No barriers of language or region stood in his way of service to the people.

Compassionate and care taking Doctorji

In the early days of Sangh, a day long picnic (outing) had been organized in the outskirts of Nagpur. Everyone was expected to bring his own lunch box. Some swayamsevaks were staying at hostels to attend school in Nagpur city. There was no “mom” to pack a lunch box for them! They did not eat dinner the previous night, poached the food into boxes and took it with them to the picnic next day.

The outing went off extremely well. They all hiked, played games rigorously, and eventually became extremely hungry. For hostel boys, the small quantity of previous night’s dinner was nowhere enough - it disappeared, leaving them still hungry. Other swayamsevaks went home. They could eat at home again; and hostel boys had nothing. 

Only Doctorji sensed this. He brought extra food for them. Unknown to them, he also gave them his own food. Their stomachs were full and they enjoyed. Only years later, they realized what an affectionate gesture that was from Doctorji, who was so poor that he himself went hungry several times in a week.

Doctorji’s life has always been an inspiration for all swayamsevaks and sevikas who are putting their efforts in uniting Hindus and making Hindu society strong.