Balasaheb Thackeray ??An Inspiration for generations? !!!

Well, a Blog will not be enough to write about this great personality. I have written earlier about him, his history, his contribution to Indian Politics so on the eve of the 5^th ?Smriti Din? of Balasaheb Thackeray just decided to write an article a bit different, (that too in a way Saheb liked, going against the flow) So I have not included ShivSena?s history, When Saheb formed ShivSena, When did ShivSena ? BJP Govt. ruled Maharashtra. I have decided to jot down something unique.

17^th November 2012 was the evil date & I still remember Saheb?s last journey from Matoshree to Shiv Tirth (Shivaji Park). Being a part of that, I can recollect every moment but better not to write about it here because for ShivSainiks Saheb is still with us. A day does not go when Balasaheb Thackeray is not remembered. The big void left by Saheb?s unfortunate exit in Indian & Maharashtra politics will never be filled.

Role Model for everyone

Saheb is the only leader in India who was the role-model for youths even when he crossed 80 yrs. That was his charisma. His flamboyant speeches are sure to give us goosebumps. That Iconic voice when he used to start his speech by saying ????????? ?????? ?????????? ???????? ??????? ??? ??????? ( All my Hindu Brothers, Sisters & mothers who have gathered here) ?still reverberate in the ears of ShivSainiks. His thoughts which he used to express through his speeches made him a leader of everyone. From rich to poor, from men to women, youth to old, everyone is a fan of Balasaheb.

A common feeling for everyone was that with Balasaheb around everything is going fine. That was the confidence Saheb has instilled in people. Even today if you are feeling a bit down & need some motivation you can catch some of his Speeches on Youtube & your mood will change for sure. That was the magic of Balasaheb. A leader who wanted youths to be self-employed instead of working under others, a leader who wanted that women should be given knives for self-defense, a leader who wanted to abolish the caste system out of the country. He was different, he was special & hence is an inspiration for generations.

Balasaheb & Mumbai

Being a Mumbaikar a city where ?Saheb? lived for the most part of his life, I can experience the contribution of Saheb to Mumbai which is extremely gigantic. ?From ?Hatav Lungi…Bajav Punji? to forming a Shield for Hindus in 1993 riots, Mumbai-Kars have experienced Balasaheb in some way for other. ?When someone talks about Mumbai & it?s politics then Balasaheb is at center stage. Mumbai has witnessed various protests of Balasaheb and his ShivSena over the years. His flamboyant speeches at Shivaji Park has been a part of the city?s culture & rich heritage.

Marathi Manus & BalaSaheb Thackeray

For middle-class Marathi people like me, our connection with Saheb is something different. Every second Marathi Manus remembers ?Saheb? every day. From making ?Bombay? to ?Mumbai? Saheb has done a lot for Marathi Manus of this City. Agreed, that others are dominating the city financially but Marathi Manus still today continues to rule the city through his aggressive style & the major reason behind that is Balasaheb Thackeray & his ShivSena. Saheb wanted Marathi youth to start their own business & not to work under others. sadly there are not many who follow this & as a result of it, we see people from other states dominating here financially. Just hope after listening to BalaSaheb Thackeray?s revolutionary speeches & reading about him a situation will change one day.

Balasaheb Thackeray’s Hindutva

Well, a leader who formed a political party for protecting rights of locals i.e. Marathi Manus is now called a ?HinduHrudaySamrat? means an ?Emperor who rules over the hearts of Hindus?. Only BalaSaheb Thackeray can undergo this transformation. After Babri Incident when riots happened in Mumbai, Balasaheb protected Hindus living in Mumbai irrespective from which region they belonged. The situation was such that Balasaheb Thackeray had no option but to resort to aggressive Hindutva or else city would have been in shatters.

Even though Balasaheb Thackeray had resorted to Hindutva, there are lots of Muslims who follow Balasaheb Thackeray. ?The main reason behind this was ?Saheb? expressed his opinion openly.? He was only against those Muslims who supported Pakistan & were not loyal to India. He was upset about the vote bank politics & was of the opinion that it will ruin our country in future. He was against appeasing a particular caste, community or religion just to make them a vote bank.

#SahebForever

So Balasaheb Thackeray is not just a chief of a political party but a ?Revolution?. Most of his thoughts are applicable in today?s world. Check his old cartoons in “Marmik” & you will see that most of the things which he expressed through his cartoons are even applicable today. A leader who openly said about ?Implementing Permit System in Mumbai, to stop the bulk migration?, a leader who always believed that not the ?Caste? but the ?Economic Status? should be the basis for reservation, a leader who always said that ?Pakistan does not understand the language of peace, only option against them is to use the Guns?. Well that is our ?Saheb?

With so much info available today courtesy Internet & Social Media, you can know more about the great man by listening to his Speeches, reading about him & apply his great revolutionary thoughts in your daily lives

• Jay Hind
• Jay Maharashtra

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