The newly appointed Gujarat head of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) — Mukesh Malkan — said on Monday that mother tongue should be the medium of primary education in the country. Invoking Mahatma Gandhi for promoting regional languages, he said that there should be a law that all the government works be done in the regional languages.
Malkan was speaking at a press gathering where his name was formally announced as “Sanghchalak” of Gujarat, replacing doctor Jayanti Bhadeshia who has been promoted as Sanghchalak of west zone that comprises Gujarat, Maharashtra and Goa.
Without taking names in particular, Malkan, a Rajkot-based businessman, praised the “politician” and other leaders for promoting Yoga and declaring June 21 as World Yoga Day. Malkan also said that 2015-16 will be celebrated as social harmony on the occasion of centurial birth anniversary of former RSS leader Balasaheb Deoras.
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Son of a government servant, Malkan was first from the family to join the RSS. He went to Vakil Saheb Vidyapith in Sanand near Ahmedabad for his schooling and also completed Sangh Siksha Varg Tritiya (third year training of RSS). After schooling, he obtained a degree in mechanical engineering from Bhavnagar University.
Before becoming sahsanghchalak (vice-president) of Gujarat RSS in January this year, 58-year-old Malkan was president of Rajkot zone of RSS, covering Rajkot city, Gondal, Jamnagar and Morbi. He held this post for three years. In his early days in the organisation, he was also made convenor of Swadeshi Jagran Manch for Gujarat region in early 1990s, RSS functionaries in Rajkot said.
“His time management and dedication for the organisation define him. He is an active businessman and remains out of state often due to it. But still, he always finds time to fulfil his RSS commitments. He would not skip any meeting of the organisation or postpone visit to a branch,” said Dr Sanjiv Oza, the incumbent president of Rajkot zone of RSS.
Malkan runs engineering firm called Krunal Enterprise and manufactures electric motors, monoblock pumps, air blowers, air compressors, welding machines etc.
“He’s amenable and regularly visits our branches. He likes to talk to the youth. Therefore, he is popular among volunteers,” said Dilip Bhatt, school classmate of Malkan and now a senior RSS functionary in Rajkot.
Malkan lives on posh Amin Marg and attends RSS branch on Nirmala Convent Road whenever he is in Rajkot. His son Krunal, who looks after the family business, is also a volunteer of the RSS.