Hosabale Recalls H.V. Sheshadri’s 13 Years as RSS General Secretary

RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale on Friday paid tribute to former RSS Sarkaryavah H.V. Sheshadri, recalling his long organisational service, scholarship and personal engagement with karyakartas.

Hosabale was speaking in Bengaluru during the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Prashanti Kutiram and the birth centenary commemoration of Sheshadri at S-VYASA University.

Sheshadri Served 13 Years as RSS Sarkaryavah

Hosabale said Sheshadri had worked as a full-time RSS pracharak and handled several organisational responsibilities over the course of his life.

He highlighted Sheshadri’s 13-year tenure as Sarkaryavah, or General Secretary of the RSS, describing it as a period of sustained organisational service.

Independent reporting on the centenary event also records that Sheshadri served as RSS Sarkaryavah for 13 years.

Hosabale Says Sheshadri Wrote Over 10,000 Letters

Hosabale said Sheshadri personally wrote more than 10,000 letters to different karyakartas.

According to him, the correspondence was used to:

• Offer organisational guidance

• Encourage workers personally

• Provide emotional support

• Stay connected with activists across different regions

The figure of more than 10,000 letters comes from Hosabale’s remarks at the event; I did not find an independently published archival count confirming the total.

Personal Guidance Was Central to His Leadership

Hosabale portrayed Sheshadri as a leader who combined organisational responsibility with close personal engagement.

He said Sheshadri did not limit his role to administrative instructions and instead maintained direct contact with workers, often writing to individuals to guide or encourage them.

The remarks presented personal correspondence as an important part of Sheshadri’s leadership style.

Sheshadri Remembered as Scholar and Author

Sheshadri was also known for his writing and intellectual work.

Reporting from the Bengaluru event says he was an MSc gold medallist and authored 32 books during his lifetime.

Hosabale said Sheshadri combined academic ability with a notably simple lifestyle.

Hosabale Recalls Sheshadri’s Simplicity

At the same event, Hosabale shared personal anecdotes intended to illustrate Sheshadri’s simplicity.

He recalled seeing Sheshadri using a broken shaving mirror and said the former RSS leader saw no need to replace it because the remaining portion was sufficient for his purpose.

Hosabale also recounted an incident in which Sheshadri personally bent down to tie an RSS worker’s shoelaces, presenting the episode as an example of humility and personal warmth.

Birth Centenary Marked at S-VYASA

The programme at S-VYASA marked both 50 years of Prashanti Kutiram and the birth centenary of H.V. Sheshadri.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also participated in the celebrations.

RSS Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale attended as a distinguished guest, while Karnataka Governor Sudha Yadav, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and other dignitaries were also present.

Sheshadri Linked Yoga With Social Service

Hosabale also recalled Sheshadri’s interest in yoga and its wider social role.

He said Sheshadri believed yoga should extend beyond physical and mental health and encourage individuals to contribute to society.

Sheshadri authored a book titled “Yoga: The Social Imperative”, reflecting that perspective.

S-VYASA Announces Initiatives for Centenary

The S-VYASA programme also included announcements connected with Sheshadri’s centenary.

Officials said the institution would provide 1,000 artificial limbs free of cost to mark his 100th birth anniversary.

The university also highlighted new research and expansion initiatives during its Golden Jubilee celebrations.

Hosabale Highlights Personal Side of Organisational Leadership

The Dattatreya Hosabale H V Sheshadri remarks focused less on formal organisational history and more on Sheshadri’s interaction with workers.

By referring to thousands of personal letters, his simple lifestyle and his contact with individual karyakartas, Hosabale portrayed Sheshadri as a senior RSS functionary who placed significant emphasis on personal relationships within the organisation.