Bengaluru: Several people from the state and different parts of the country have paid tributes to Ashok Deshpande and have recalled his services and their association with him. Septuagenarian Gandhian and retired Administrative Officer Krishna V Itnal, now settled in Pune spoke very highly of late Ashok Deshpande’s contribution to the society in general and the region where he opted to serve all along his lifetime.
Five Lakh saplings planted: Krishna V Itnal reminisces-“Late Ashok Deshpande was a safai karyakarta like Gandhi in Sarvodaya field. His entire efforts concentrated in rural areas based on the Gandhian concept of Economy of permanence. He had taken me to Guramatti village where his team planted 5 lakh saplings! Thanks to the accomplishment of such a Herculean task, the net result, even now, is that a kilometre away from that village, that is in Maharashtra all the wells in adjoining villages, are filled with water throughout the year…
…Not even one person migrated: Thanks to the efforts of Ashok Deshpande in ensuring a self-sufficient village, not even one single villager went in search of a job in any urban area including Belagavi. The reason for such a conducive situation was that he strived in multiple ways for the creation of jobs in their own villages…
…Led his whole life in villages: Throughout his life, Ashok Ji lived in the villages with his wife. He never aspired for any post or any type of honours. When he learnt that freedom fighter and former Secretary of Gandhi Peace Foundation Centre of Dharwad, Shakuntala Kurkoti was not looked after by anybody, he came forward to host her in his village home. I am unable to guess how Vaini, his wife will tolerate his departure. A dedicated soul, let us pray for salvation”, concludes Krishna V Itnal.
Expertise in building seepage pits: Shankar Halagatti, first Chairman of Dharwad-based Karnataka Bala Vikas Academy and presently General Secretary of Dharwad-based Karnataka Vidyawardhak Sangh, a Gandhian in his own right wearing only Khadi clothes opines-“Ashok Deshpande had developed special expertise in building seepage pits apart from being a staunch propagator of Gandhian ideals. In 1985 he participated in the youth camp organized by me at our native village Kalhal in Ramadurg district on the eve of International Youth Year celebrations. He then constructed 48 seepage pits in the village.
Concern towards Rural region and Youths: He was a person with limited words, simple, smiling and always wore a Khadi shirt, pants carrying a Khadi bag. Ashok Deshpande had special concern towards rural areas in general and youths in particular. He had visited Dharwad several times. The last time I met him was last year at a Rashtra Seva Dal’s (RSD) children’s camp in Belagavi. He had also become too weak and had come on a four-wheeler scooter. When inquired, he informed me of maintaining balance to avoid falling and inconvenience to others. Perhaps a vital link of the Gandhian era has been cut off, condoles Shankar Halagatti.
An ardent follower of Gandhi: Senior journalist Govind Madivalar says-“Ashok Deshpande was an ardent follower of Gandhi. He lived in a typical Gandhian way following the ideals in letter and spirit apart from striving incessantly to propagate the same”.
Society interest paramount than self: Ramesh Bhai, Trustee of Vatsalya Dhama Trust at Mudhol in Bagalkot district showers praises at the persona of late Ashok Deshpande and laments that in recent years many stalwarts who believed in society to be of paramount interest more than self have started disappearing. Ashok Deshpande was a great inspiring personality unique in multiple ways. Although, hailing from a well-to-do Agricultural family he never annoyed anyone. The absence of such great personalities is also being felt in society, he feels.
A great personality: “For strangers, he would appear to be a serious person but to all those known to him he remained a loving, caring gentleman to the core. It looks like he was particular about what he wore as he always adhered to Khadi attire. I happened to know him from close quarters during the youth camp in Kalhal village under the guidance of another veteran leader Shri S N Subbarao. Likewise, he became closer when he came to another camp at our Ashram. He had developed mastery in constructing seepage pits and canals for domestic purposes. He was a regular in national programs and used to participate in the activities of Sarvodaya and was fluent in Marathi, Kannada, Hindi and English. Maybe, he is not with us physically but his memory shall continue to inspire us”, says Ramesh Bhai.
Gave up everything for society: Vinod Sudhakarrao Bhosale, resident of Kadoli village on the outskirts of Belagavi and nearby to Kednur, native village of Ashok Deshpande is highly appreciative of the enormous work achievements of the latter. He recalls-“Ashok Deshpande belonged to a wealthy Inamdar family with enough landed property and a vast house. But, he gave up everything for the betterment of society once he came to the mainstream of a Gandhian way of life”.
Associated with several organizations: He becomes emotional while recalling the services of the late Ashok Deshpande. Vinod Sudhakarrao Bhosale informs-“He was President of the Andha Shraddha Nivaran Trust dedicated to creating awareness against the evil practice of blind beliefs and superstitions. Ashok Deshpande was also actively associated with Jeevan Shikshan Pratishtan and Govind Dham Shikshan Sadhana Trust.
25 years with Kasturba Center: Ashok Deshpande was also associated with the Kasturba Mahila Mandal Centre for the past 25 years and was actively involved with the activities of the centre. Under the aegis of Govind Dham Shikshan Sadhana Trust, he was operating eight Anganwadis in different places, he said.
(The writer is a Bengaluru based senior journalist.)
