Sadhana Trust

RG Jadhav

Jadhav

Vinod Tawde

Sadhana

Ra Ga Jadhav

Sahitya Sammelan

Aurangabad

Tawde

Maharashtra

Vidya Bal

Milind Joshi

Vishwakosh Mandal

Shiv Sena

Neelam Gorhe

Ramesh Jadhav

Parbhani

Noted Marathi literature critic and professor RGpassed away in May last year, but cultural affairs ministerbelieves he is still alive, and not just in spirit. In an epic faux pas on Saturday, theTrust received a letter on Tawde’s letterhead addressed to the late Jadhav — who used to be a member of the trust — wishing him a very happy birthday.Mirror has a copy of the letter, which reads, “Birthday is the day on which we look back at the life we have spent till date, remembering the happy and sad instances that have shaped it.This is the day that helps us draw inspiration from the past and lets us take a new leap towards our dreams. This is a day for seeking blessings from elders and wishes from friends. Your journey and struggle has been inspiring for many. We hope that you discover new aspects and dimensions and may you scale new peaks of success. Wishing you a happy birthday.”Popularly known as, he presided over the Marathiatin 2004. In February 2016, it waswho had bestowed him with the Vinda Karandikar lifetime achievement award on behalf of the government of. Also a rationalist and an anti-superstition crusader, Jadhav passed away on May 27, 2016 owing to a prolonged illness. Tawde had duly paid his tribute to Jadhav back then. Yet, the birthday letter with Tawde’s signature in place makes it seem that the minister’s memory has gotten a bit blurred.Naturally, it created quite an uproar in the city intellectual circles, with noted social worker and rationalistretorting, “This is a perfect example of how mechanically the government machinery is working. Every year, they send a letter to the eminent personalities across Maharashtra. This proves that they are not even keeping track of whether these people are alive or not. If the luminaries are being treated in this manner, what can we say? The fact that the wishes have been sent on the cultural affairs minister’s letterhead with his signature proves their ignorance.”City-based writercouldn’t agree more. “This shows the intellectual bankruptcy of the government. He was not some ordinary writer. He was the head of theand a former president of the Sahitya Sammelan. The government should be aware and updated about his death,” he said.Evenleaderjoined the intellectuals in criticising the system, saying, “This highlights the need for the appointment of someone who has a personal connection with the families. This seems to be the outcome of a bureaucratic process. At the most, some official will be held responsible for this gaffe now. But there is a need to change the system. There is a need to appoint someone who knows these people, is in touch with them and is updated about their lives.”The Sadhana Trust is replying to the letter, informing the ministry about Jadhav’s death. During his lifetime, Jadhav had donated his home to the trust, which is why the letter got posted there. When Mirror asked Tawde about the letter, he was quick to clarify, “This could be a goof-up in the addresses. The letter which was to be sent to, an RSS worker from, seems to have been inadvertently sent to Pune. I will inquire about this, but I apologise for the error.”Interestingly, the letter has no reference to any RSS worker. And even if Tawde’s contention was true, it would be too much of a coincidence that an RSS worker shared his name, birth date and even address with the late literary figure.█ The letter which was to be sent to Ramesh Jadhav, an RSS worker from Parbhani, seems to have been inadvertently sent to Pune. I will inquire about this, but I apologise for the error.”