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Vajpayee releases stamp on Hedgewar

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today deplored the increasing tendency of intolerance in accepting divergent views and said one should have respect for the other person's views.

''We at the government level are always trying to accommodate other's views ,but at non-government level too there should be efforts for respecting each other's views, so that a spirit of mutual cooperation could be promoted'', he said while releasing a stamp in memory of Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, revolutionary, freedom fighter and the first sarsanghchalak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh on his 110th birth anniversary.

The stamp should have been released much earlier, but the previous governments had dilly-dallied in the matter and ''left this noble job to be performed through our hands for which I thank them'', he added.

Vajpayee said the difference of opinion about the assessment of a great man of India should not be allowed to become a matter of dispute. However, there is nothing wrong in holding divergent views, ''we cannot make a nation great by making a wrong assessment of a greatman'', he added.

Describing Dr Hedgewar as a great patriot, freedom-fighter and a brilliant nationalist, the prime minister said he had devoted every moment of his life and every part of his body to the service of the nation. As one possessing great organising capacity, he built up the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, instilled the spirit of discipline into it and taught them the lesson on how to work together.

Vajpayee said had Dr Hedgewar been alive, he would have played a notable role in strengthening the unity and integrity of the country. It is his unfinished job which we are trying to carry forward, he said, adding, "The release of a stamp today is a small effort on our part to perpetuate his memory".

RSS sarsanghchalak Prof Rajendra Singh, speaking on the occasion, said once he had met then communications minister Arjun Singh and requested him to issue a postal stamp in memory of Dr Hedgewar, but later, when he followed up the matter, he was told that the file was missing. At another time, he was told by some other communications minister to approach the prime minister.

Communications Minister Jagmohan said Dr Hedgewar infused a spirit of commitment, team spirit and discipline in the people.

UNI

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