Objectives & History

 

KANARA SARASWAT ASSOCIATION, a vital social link uniting the scattered units of the far flung Chitrapur Saraswat Community, was established on November 26, 1911, with the following aims and objectives:

  • To foster a spirit of brotherhood and co-operation among the members of the Kanara Saraswat Community.
  • To provide facilities for social intercourse by holding social gatherings, conversational meetings, etc.
  • To organise social service.
  • To convene communal conferences and
  • To generally do such acts and things as are deemed necessary for the promotion of the intellectual, moral, social, physical, economic and general well being of the members of the Community; provided that the Association shall not carry on any political propaganda.

The Association was registered in 1934 under Section XXI of the Societies Act, 1860.

Genesis

The Association had its humble origin in what was then known as Friends' Social Club, started in the middle of 1911 with a nucleus of only 13 members. It was just a meeting place of close friends and a means of drawing together new comers to Bombay from the Kanaras in search of lucrative employment. Although, ostensibly meetings in the hired room in Chunam Lane, Grant Road, Mumbai for a humble purpose of playing cards, and indulging in light social talks over a cup of tea.

A touch of seriousness was introduced in it by the late Rao Bahadur S.S.Talmaki. He suggested converting this club into an Association for more worthwhile objects of the betterment of the members. The idea caught on and a Special General Meeting of all the easily accessible local members was called on 26 November 1911 at which the draft rules and regulations was adopted and the institution renamed as KANARA SARASWAT ASSOCIATION.

The tiny club has now grown into a mighty organisation with a membership of over 5000, spread over the country and abroad and a fine imposing building of its own.

Today Kanara Saraswat Association offers a wide range of services to the community.

Membership is open to all Chitrapur Saraswats and to all those who are married to Chitrapur Saraswats.

Founder Members of the Association:
Mr. Durgaram M. Amladi, Mr. Dattaram M. Balvalli, Mr.Ramkrishna N. Kalbag, Mr. Sheshgiri N. Kalbag, Mr. Sanjivrao Kundapur, Mr. Datta Bhat Mangalore, Mr. Venkat S. Marballi, Mr. Raghuveer M. Mugve, Mr. Ganesh P. Murdeshwar, Mr. Laxman M. Nadkarni, Mr.Sanjiv M. Nadkarni, Mr. Mangesh M. Shirali and Mr. Ganpat V. Shirur.

Managing Committee

The Association is managed by a Committee consisting of 12 members and two Ex-Officio members, who are the immediate past President and Vice President. The President or in his/her absence the Vice President exercise general supervision. The Committee meets atleast once a month to transact the business. One third of the members, longest in office since their election, retire every year.

The Managing Committee elects the following Office Bearers :

  • Chairman
  • Honorary Secretary
  • Honorary Treasurer
  • Jt. Honorary Treasurer

The specific activities of the Association are then distributed amongst the other Committee Member who are then designated as Joint Honorary Secretaries relating to the execution of work for their respective portfolios. Every year the Committee appoints an Editorial Committee to edit and publish the Kanara Saraswat, a monthly magazine of the association. In addition, with the enlarged scope of social activities, new Sub-Committees are appointed every year, chief amongst them being the Students and Sports sub-committee to assist the Managing Committee.