Magazine of March - 2010 - Rups.net

OUR COVERKSA celebrates 98 th Foundation DayIn 2003, the then Managing Committee of KSAdecided to honour one hundred eminent ChitrapurSaraswats who have rendered outstanding service intheir chosen fields of work till KSA’s Centenary Year in2011. Accordingly, every year since, on its FoundationDay, an average of 12 to 13 such personalities werefelicitated. The figure touched 84 when 16 prominentmen and women were honoured at the FoundationDay function held on November 21, 2009 at Smt.Indirabai Kallianpur Hall, Talmakiwadi, Mumbai.Dr. Harish Kodial, President, KSA, in his welcomespeech said: “We heartily welcome you all on theoccasion of the 98th Foundation Day celebrationsof KSA. I am delighted to see such a big crowdtoday at this memorable event. The KSA came intoexistence in July 1911 with an opening membershipof 13 Chitrapur Saraswats who initially named it as“Friends’ Social Club”. Today, it is proud to announcea membership of 5,286 and many more seekingmembership. All this was possible due to the hard workput in by various KSA committees to fulfil the dreamsThis year’s prestigious project was the launching ofKSA’s website on Independence Day. The website offersa great avenue to Chitrapur Saraswats residing in Indiaand abroad for sharing the events that they celebratelocally, with our entire community. InternationalWomen’s Day was also celebrated on April 25 and wasa great success. This year, Diwali cultural programmeswere held at Borivali instead of Talmakiwadi and, forthe first time, the Saraswat Convocation was held inSantacruz Saraswat Colony.“‘No bird soars too high if it soars with its ownwings’ (William Blake). So, we decided to undertakeKSA activities in cities like Pune, Nashik, Mangalore,Bengaluru and Dharwad by coordinating with localsabhas or organizations in these places. The responsewas overwhelming. We wish to extend this activity toother parts of India. I earnestly request you to sendreports of the cultural activities conducted by yourlocal groups for uploading on our website.“As you know, KSA will be celebrating its CentenaryYear in 2011, and we have started a Centenary Fund forthe purpose. Suresh Hemmady, Ratnakar Gokarn andDilip Sashital are ably managing this task. They havetravelled extensively in India and persuaded ChitrapurSaraswats to strengthen our mother institution, KSA;kudos to them for their selfless effort. Besides, wecannot forget the help extended by local ChitrapurSaraswat institutions in achieving this goal. Soon youwill be informed of our forthcoming projects and thejudicial use of this fund.Dr. Harish Kodial, President, KSA, welcoming the gathering. To hisright is Prof. Kalindi Muzumdar, Past President, KSA; at left: Dr.Prakash Mavinkurve, Hon. Secretary - Health Services, KSAof our community, and their excellent management ofmultiple projects and social activities such as providingscholarships, financial medical aid, and distress reliefto the poor and needy. I am sure all of you are awareof our Medical Diagnostic Centre and the modernizedPathology Laboratory; we provide help to people whoseek expert medical advice. The Marriage Bureau ofKSA is also visited by many people.“Coming to today’s important event, KSA has thegreatest pleasure and utmost pride in honouring 16prominent Chitrapur Sarawsats. Their contribution totheir respective fields is laudable. They have earnedthis honour due to their focused hard work, intenseself confidence, strong determination and unmatcheddedication. “Winners don’t do different things, they dothings differently.” On behalf of KSA, I congratulateyou all and pray to Lord Bhavanishankar, and ourParam Poojya Sadyojat Shankarashram Swamiji tobless you with good health and guide you in your futureendeavours. Thank you.”Kanara Saraswat Vol. 91, No.3, March 201011