Swatantrya Veer Savarkar - A Concise Biography

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Dr. Arvind Godbole (1933-2011): MD (Med), FRCP (Edin), FRFPS (Glasgow), FAIID was a Mumbai-based physician, honorary professor of medicine and writer. Besides nine books on medical topics, he wrote another nine books on life and philosophy of Veer Savarkar, Hindutva, history of the Sikh Gurus, philosophy of Sri Guru Granth Sahib and Christianity. He was President of Swatantryaveer Savarkar Rashtriya Smarak, Mumbai and of the Mumbai units of Vishwa Sanwad Kendra and Vivekananda Kendra. He served as personal physician to Veer Savarkar.

Several small and large-sized biographies of Swatantrya Veer Savarkar have been published in Marathi. However, a biography that could be easily read by ordinary readers was needed. It had to be bigger than one written for children but smaller than a comprehensive thesis-like biography. I hope that this book Ase Aahet Savarkar (Such is Savarkar) fills this gap.

I have attempted to place Savarkar's life, thoughts, personality. literature and prevailing conditions and thought-currents before the readers. Several chapters have his aphorisms as their title, By and large, I have narrated events chronologically. However, Savarkar was involved in several activities at the same time. Hence, some parts have been arranged subject-wise. The book has been organized in eleven small chapters.

Savarkar's life is stranger than fiction. Most people feel that rather than even attempt to emulate him, it is best to salute him from a distance. However, there are several ideas and initiatives in Savarkar's life can be pursued even by ordinary mortals. I have attempted to set the record straight regarding several allegations made against Savarkar. Though the book does not have a list of references, all statements made therein have documentary support.

Savarkar remains alive through his thoughts relevant as they are not only for the present but even for the future. That is why I have titled the book Ase Aahet Savarkar (Such is Savarkar) not Ase Hote Savarkar (Such was Savarkar), References to castes were unavoidable in chapters dealing with Savarkar's work in social reform. Without such references, it would not have been possible to understand the conditions of those times. The writer, printer or publisher of this book in no way endorse any caste-based prejudices that may be drawn from such references.

My daughter-in-law Gayatri urged me to write Savarkar's biography for children and also suggested the title of the book. My grandchildren used to insist: "You have seen Savarkar very closely, please tell stories about him." I wrote the first part of this book in the house of my youngest daughter Sharavati. The Swatantrya Veer Savarkar Rashtriya Smarak Library, Mumbai gave me access to relevant books. Respected C. P. Bhishikar and my son Dr. Shreerang read the draft and made useful suggestions. I have knowingly or unknowingly imbibed several things from Savarkar scholars. Bharatiya Vichar Sadhana Pune Prakashan stood by me throughout, right from the inception to the completion of this book.