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By:

Uday Jogalekar

13 May 2026 at 3:25:14 pm

From Pracharak to Minister: My Memories of Dilipda

Long before he became a minister, Dilipda had already earned our respect through his simplicity, discipline, and warmth. In 2007, my job brought me to Kolkata. Once there, I began attending the local RSS shakha and gradually became involved in Sangh work. I first met Dilipda during a visit to a swayamsevak’s home. Coincidentally, that same year, he had been appointed to our division. As everyone introduced themselves, Dilipda casually asked me in Marathi, “How are you finding Bengal?” Hearing...

From Pracharak to Minister: My Memories of Dilipda

Long before he became a minister, Dilipda had already earned our respect through his simplicity, discipline, and warmth. In 2007, my job brought me to Kolkata. Once there, I began attending the local RSS shakha and gradually became involved in Sangh work. I first met Dilipda during a visit to a swayamsevak’s home. Coincidentally, that same year, he had been appointed to our division. As everyone introduced themselves, Dilipda casually asked me in Marathi, “How are you finding Bengal?” Hearing a Bengali pracharak — a full-time RSS worker devoted to organisational work — speak fluent Marathi came as a pleasant surprise to me. From that moment onwards, my interactions with Dilipda increased, and I gradually began to understand the many dimensions of his seemingly simple personality. Coming from Maharashtra, where Sangh work generally faced non-violent opposition, adapting to Bengal — where the opposition was often violent — was not easy. In that atmosphere, I learnt from Dilipda how to remain enthusiastic while also keeping fellow workers motivated and active. I often accompanied Dilipda during his visits to our area. He had a remarkable ability to blend effortlessly into any household, warmly enquire about every family member, and make everyone feel as though he were one of their own. Before being appointed to Kolkata, Dilipda had served as an RSS pracharak in the remote Andaman Islands from around 1999–2000 until 2007. Based in Port Blair, he worked under difficult conditions despite limited travel and communication facilities, diverse tribes speaking different languages, and a local mindset that often kept outsiders at a distance. He would often share positive experiences from his years in the Andamans but never once spoke about the hardships he endured. Despite working in such difficult conditions, he never mentioned his personal discomforts. This ability to remain free of complaints despite adversity is a hallmark of a pracharak, and Dilipda embodied it completely. He possessed the rare gift of finding positivity even in challenging situations. Excellent Cook In Bengal during 2007, Sangh work had not yet expanded to the scale it has reached today. At times, pracharaks had to cook their own meals, and this had made Dilipda an excellent cook. Whenever he returned to the city from his travels, our group would eagerly gather to enjoy his khichdi. Our area, Bidhannagar, was located in Salt Lake, a relatively prosperous locality. Adjacent to it were a few underprivileged settlements, and we would occasionally visit the nearby market. To reach the market from Salt Lake, one had to cross a wooden bridge, where the toll was 25 paise for pedestrians and one rupee for bicycles. Observing the difficulties faced by people in those settlements, Dilipda once suggested starting some sewa (service) activity there. That eventually led to the establishment of a homoeopathic clinic in the locality. While setting up the clinic, Dilipda effortlessly guided us through every stage of planning — what arrangements were needed, how the process should be structured, and what challenges might arise. It felt as though the entire plan was already mapped out in his mind. As the clinic became operational, we began noticing the educational difficulties faced by the local children. English, science, and mathematics were particularly challenging subjects for them, which eventually led to the start of a study centre. The idea of involving engineers from Salt Lake’s IT companies also came from Dilipda. Later, by bringing together IT professionals, an “IT Milan” initiative was started, and many of them eventually became swayamsevaks actively involved in Sangh work. Remarkable Ability At the time, the CPM government was in power in Bengal, and there were many obstacles to conducting shakha activities. Dilipda constantly guided us on overcoming these challenges. He had a remarkable ability to identify work that could bring meaningful change, plan it carefully, and execute it with determination and effectiveness. Whether it was service activities, daily shakha work, or handling sensitive cases related to “Love Jihad", Dilipda consistently displayed dedication, clarity of thought, a fighting spirit, and an unwavering readiness to work tirelessly toward the objective. What amazes me even today is that a pracharak like Dilipda — someone far ahead of us in age, experience, and accomplishments — would interact so casually and warmly with ordinary swayamsevaks like us, placing a hand on our shoulders and speaking as though he were a close friend. In 2009, I was transferred back to Mumbai, bringing my Kolkata chapter to an end. Later, in 2014, I learned that Dilipda had been given responsibility in the BJP. And now, in 2026, the BJP forming a government on its own strength speaks volumes about its contribution and leadership. Today, Dilipda has become a minister, and many titles and honours will naturally be associated with him. But to us, he will always remain simply "Dilipda". (The writer is an entrepreneur based in Kalwa, Thane.)

Onions Will Make Leaders Cry

Onions

It may be recalled that in 1998 Delhi state elections the BJP miserably lost to the Congress.  A major contributing factor to the BJP’s defeat was the skyrocketing onion prices due to crop failure in the country. This is one example of the political implications of onion prices. This time around somewhat the same situation has arisen. So, who will bear the brunt is the question hovering in the minds of people.  


During the festive season, rising onion prices have brought tears to many eyes. The government’s policy is solely responsible for this. The Centre’s decision to ban onion exports, aimed at reducing domestic prices, backfired politically and the disregard for onion farmers’ demands, cost the BJP-led alliance dearly in the state in recently concluded Lok Sabha polls. Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the onion farmers in Nashik had launched a ‘rath yatra’ to bring attention to their plight as they were disappointed with the elected members from the state for not raising the issue of the export ban in Parliament and failing to voice farmers’ concerns.


The surge in onion prices in India is expected to drive up international costs and food expenses. The support prices for onions have skyrocketed, with the Centre purchasing them at a rate 74 per cent higher than last year in Maharashtra, the nation’s top onion-producing state. Last year, onions were bought at Rs 16.93 per kg, but this year’s procurement price has risen to Rs 29.5 per kg, with payments made directly to farmers through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system to cut out intermediaries. To manage the situation, the Centre is distributing onions through NAFED outlets, mobile vans, and other channels at Rs 35 per kg. Significantly, the basic question remains unanswered as to how long this arrangement will work. Even when procurement prices were as low as Rs 16.93 per kg, national prices seldom fell below Rs 30 per kg. Currently, onion prices are hovering between Rs 60 and 70 per kg.


Nationwide the onion prices are expected to remain high, as the Maharashtra government is allocating Rs 1500 crore to purchase onions from local farmers and traders, aiming to maintain their support for upcoming elections. In December 2023, the government imposed an export ban on onions to tackle escalating retail prices ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. This measure led to a drop in onion prices by around 40 per cent, from Rs 42.2 per kg in December 2023 to Rs 24.5 per kg by March 2024. On March 23, 2024, the export ban on onions was extended indefinitely in response to the Lok Sabha election. This move led to a decrease in prices.


In Nashik, Maharashtra’s onion-growing heartland, the discontent among onion farmers led to the defeat of Union Minister of State Bharati Pawar in the Dindori constituency in the district and BJP alliance candidate Hemant Godse in Nashik.


Onion farmers also played a crucial role in toppling BJP alliance candidates in 11 Lok Sabha constituencies.

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