A SAGA OF SEVENTY FIVE YEARS...........
Source: VASANT K KARKALA, Hon. Gen. Secretary. A SAGA OF SEVENTY FIVE YEARS…..

On 5th of April 1925 late Shri Yermal Koragappa Shriyan and Late Shri Mannagudde Babu Devadiga established the Devadiga Sudharaka Sangha at 108 Bora Bazar Street. Bombay on a rental premises. The main objective was to provide accommodation to community members who have migrated to Bambay in search of their livelihood. Thus their intention to bring Devadigas together under one roof was fulfilled. The activities continued for a long time with mutual support and involvement. The Sangha got registered under the Societies Act and Bombay Public Trust Act in 1948.

In 1952 Shri Monappa Devadiga along with Prominent Members like Late Shri Inna Sankappa Moily, Shri P. R. Moily, Late Shri N. V. Ullal and other well wishers has organized Dadar Sub-office in another rental premises at 70-A Hind Tej Building Dada Saheb Phalke Road, Dadar [East], Bombay. This office started functioning as the sub office of the Sangha.

From a humble beginning the Sangha has grown to present stature as one of the premier charitable institution of this great metropolis with the support of well wishers, members and selfless services of dedicated office bearers and members in various committees which were formed during the last 75 years. The Sangha dedicated its objectives for the betterment of its members in their education and improving their socio economic status. Awarding free scholarships to the poor and needy and merit scholarships to students who have excelled in their studies has resulted in ensuring better literacy levels among the community members which in turn supported them in improving their standards of life. Every year the Sangha disburses sizeable amount of scholarships to students. We are proud to place on record that good number of our ‘scholarship students’ have excelled in their life, in profession  and business. The sangha has also sponsored Devadiga Veer Dal in initial years for inculcating discipline in life and to improve the organizing capabilities. A band of volunteers was introduced by Shri M. Venkat Rao in 1965, to Devadiga Veer Dal.

After the steady growth during the first 25 years, the Sangha celebrated its Silver Jubilee in the year 1950 under the president ship of Shri M Venkat Rao. In 1952 free public reading room was introduced with the good stock of literary books at Fort office. Subsequently in 1956 one more such reading room was also introduced. With an intention to render free first Aid services to the public, “Prakash Memorial First Aid Centre” was sponsored by Late Shri Suresh Palimar which was inaugurated by Shri B. D. Jatti, then Hon’ble Minister of health and labour, Government of Bombay on 1-7-1955.

In 1958 Devadiga Sports Club was formed by Shri N. P. Salian and others to inculcate the spirit of sportsmanship among members. For the last 42 years the sports club conducts Athletic Meets every year which are participated by good number of Athletes.

In 1975, the Sangha celebrated its Golden Jubilee under the presidentship of Shri P. Dayanand. The program was memorable and attended by leading personalities of this great metropolis. During the Golden Jubilee year the Sanghas activities were redesigned to suit their members and late shri N. V. Ullal took the leadership in funds mobilization.

On December 29th, 1985 the Sangha celebrated its diamond Jubilee at B. N. vaidya Sabhagrih, Mumbai under the president ship of Shri Janardhan K. Moily. Shri Janardhan Poojary,the then Union Minister for State for Finance, Govt of India was the Chief Guest.

In 1995, under the president ship of Shri Gopal M. Moily few radical changes were initiated by redrafting the six decade old bye-laws of the Sangha. The amendments to the bye-laws of the sangha have provided an opportunity to spread its activities in different fields of social welfare programmes. A much awaited ‘Devadiga Directory’ furnishing the particulars of members residing in Mumbai and all over was released. The functioning of Mahila Vibhag of the Sangha was reactivated and the in-house magazine was relaunched with new presentation under the name of ‘Devadiga Jyothi’ which is one of the most read communication tool.

In 1998, a new team of Managing Committee was formed under the President ship of Dharmapal U. Devadiga was formed and which took the challenging task of setting up of Co. Op. Credit society and acquiring of land for construction of Devadiga Bhavan, for centralizing the activities of the Sangha. Accordingly in the year 1999, Akshay Co. Op. Credit Society was sponsored by the Sangha at Chembur. Shri S. P. Kumaran has initiated several activities for mobilizing membership to the proposed Co. Op. Credit Society. In the year 2000,the Sangha has been allotted with a plot of land admeasuring 1090.34 sq. metres at Nerul, Navi Mumbai by CIDCO for construction of Regional Cultural Centre comprising of public Auditorium, Child care centre Vocational education centre and Medical assistance centre. 8th October 2000 is the red leter day of the Sangha as the  foundation stone was laid for the prestegious ‘Devadiga Bhavan’. The estimated project cost is about 1.5 crores for which donations and support are being solicited from all over and initial response to funds Mobilization is very encouraging. The Project is expected to be completed within 3 years time. A separate Building Sub Committee is formed under the chairmanship of Shri Babu D. Devadiga with eminent personalities of our community as members.

Recently our Dadar office is fully renovated and made available for public utilities. The Devadiga Center at Dadar  is fully air conditioned mini Conference Hall, expected to generate funds  for the sangha.

A Devadiga Matrimonial service is very active in arranging atrimonial relationship and record number of details of eligible boys and girls are registered with the sangha. The information of the eligible Boys & Girls arre now published at http://www.devadiga.com and we thank the past and present Matrimonial Service Committee for their splendid service which has helped many to toe the nuptial knot..

During Platinum Jubilee year the activities of the sangha gained Momentum and members have  geared and organized to take up major project of construction of Devadiga Bhavan at Nerul, Navi Mumbai. The members have contributed their mite for fund Mobilization through Donations and Advertisements.

We always remember our elders for their contributions for the growth of the Sangha and remain grateful to all our Patrons, Well Wishers & Members for their continued support for all our activities during these years.

On this Occasion of Platinum Jubilee let us dedicate ourselves for the welfare of members with mutual trust,  confidence and comradeship.

Let us come together, work together and grow together for a better tomorrow.

VASANT K KARKALA
Hon. Gen. Secretary.