Ex-RSS chief Sudarshan passes away

Former Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief K S Sudarshan, who was known for his hardline views and believed in the concept of 'swadeshi', died here today after suffering a heart attack. Sudarshan, 81, is survived by a brother and sister. The ex-RSS chief, who had arrived in the city two days back, died at the RSS office here at 6.50 a.m. He was in the city for a book launch function. Sudarshan had gone for an early morning walk and suffered a heart attack while doing Pranayam in his chamber in the RSS office, doctors said. His body is being taken to the RSS headquarters in Nagpur and will be kept there for the people to pay their last respects, RSS members said. His last rites will be performed tomorrow at 3 p.m. in Nagpur. Describing former RSS chief KS Sudarshan as a "great thinker" and "visionary", BJP national president Nitin Gadkari on Saturday said his death was a big blow to the Parivar. "He was a staunch nationalist who dedicated his entire life in the service of the nation and made remarkable contribution in promoting and expanding the RSS network," Gadkari told reporters here today.

About  K S Sudarshan: K S Sudarshan was the fifth Sarsanghachalak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu nationalist organisation. His tenure was from 2000 to 2009. He was popularly known in Sangh circle as "Sudarshan Ji" Sudarshan was born in Raipur (now in Chhattisgarh) in a Sanketi Brahmin family. He did his Bachelor of Engineering in Telecommunications (honours) from Sagar University. He was only nine years old when he first attended an RSS Shakha. He was appointed as a Pracharak in 1954. Only full-time members of RSS can become pracharaks. His first posting as a pracharak was in Raigarh district. In 1964, he was made the prant pracharak of Madhya Bharat at a fairly young age. In 1969, he was appointed convener of the All-India Organisations' Heads. This was followed by a stint in the North-East (1977) and then, he took over as the chief of the Bouddhik Cell (the RSS think-tank) two years later. In 1990, he was appointed joint general secretary of the organisation.  Sudarshan became Sarsanghachalak (Supreme chief) of the RSS on March 10, 2000. He succeeded Rajendra Singh, who stepped down on due to ill-health.