BKVS : Memorable Journey so far… – By D. R. Shetti

How BKVS started ?

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As early as in 1956, 10 govt. officials from Bombay govt. were repatriated to Karnataka Govt. They were Sarvashri S.L Shetti, S.R Todurkar, N.R Shetti, K.M Shetti, B.N Shetti, V.G Gokarn, S.E Shetti, V.N Shetti, S.D Shetti, V.V Todurkar. During the year 1956, 10 families from Mumbai settled down in Bangalore. Subsequently the number of families increased to 25 during 1971.

The first meeting of our community was held on 14/2/1971 under the president ship of Shri S.L Shetti and they started to collect Rs.2 as monthly subscription from the 25 members.

Founder members of Bangalore Sangha were as follows (E.C Members)

  • Shri S.L Shetti (President), N.R Shetti(Vice-President),S.D Shetti(Hon. Secretary), E Shetti(Jt.  Secretary)S.R. Todurkar(treasurer), K.M Shetti (Jt. Treasurer).Members and permanent invitees were B.N Shetti, V.G Gokarn, V.N Shetti, V.V Todurkar, V.D Kasbekar etc

First A.G.M of the Sangha was held on 12/3/1972.
Life membership fees was newly introduced during 1982 and the amount was fixed as Rs.201/-. The first Magha Shuddha Pratipada was held during 1974 along with AGM and entertainment programs. Maitreyi Vanita Samaj was started as Upasangha of our Sangha during 1979.

First President: Smt. Meerabai S Shetti,

Vice President Smt. Subbalaxmi S Todurkar,

Honorary Secretary: Mukta D Shetti(Swamini Sampannananda),

Ramabai Keshav Shetti(Jt. Secretary)Sharada Narayan Shetti(Treasurer), Hemalata Anant Shetti(Jt.Treasurer) and programmes like Arashina Kumkuma, flower arrangement, arranging bakery training were conducted by  Maitreyi Vanita Samaj.

During the year 1981 the following members were honored for distinguished services in their fields. Shri Ma.Ga Shetti in literature and social service, S.R. Todurkar elevated as Dy. Secretary of Karnataka Govt. Sect, Mukta Algeri- first state level Cricket Team Captain, R.G. Devadhar appointed by Govt. of Karnataka as Govt. Pleader.

1980-image

During 1980 the membership position was as follows:

Life members (having paid Rs.201/-)    —-40 members
Membership monthly Rs2/-                    —-22 members
Membership monthly Rs 1/-                   —-20 members

Annasantarpane was first introduced on Magha Sudha Pratipada Day Dt. 14/1/1983 by Shri K.M Shetti and family in Shri Sharada Prasad hall in Shri Shankar Mutt.
Hall rent was Rs200/- per day

Financial position of the Sangha during the financial year 31/3/84 was Rs25, 184/- only. This was mainly due to the collection of membership fees and sale of lucky dip coupons organized by the Sangha.

Peetharohan of Shri Shri Abhinava Vidyateertha Swamiji was held on 30/04/1986(D.O.B: 11/14/1951, born at Narasaraopet in Guntur Dist. In A.P)

During 1987,a milestone was achieved by our Sangha by purchasing a site measuring 53’*130’ at the nominal cost of Rs.1,29,951(including registration and small shed) and Registration was done on 5/2/1987(on Ratha Saptami Day) in property No. 534 and 552 in Kottigapalya, Sunkadakatte Village, Yeshawnatapura Hobli, Bangalore south district. The services of Shri A.R Nagarkatte, S.L Shetti, P.N Shetti and other senior members of the Sangha are commendable during purchase of the site.

Cost of the site was collected from donors from Bangalore, Mumbai, Belgaum, Goa, Hubli, Dharwad , Ankola, Sirsi and other parts of North Kanara District .

1989-img

By law of BKVS under section 13 of Mysore Societies Region Act 1960 was published in 1988. Senior Pontiff Shri Shri Abhinava Vidyateertha Swamiji attained brahmaikya on 21/9/1989 (Thursday), condolence meeting was held on 4/9/1989 in Shankarmutt and members of our Sangha attended the same.

A trip was organized on 25/12/1989 to Arashinakunte, Nandi hills for members of our Sangha.

1996-image

1996 (Silver jubilee year)
During this year Membership Drive was conducted by visiting various places outside Bangalore and enrolled many well-wishers as chief patron/patron and life members and collected Rs1,70,000 out of which as chief patron Rs 65,000/-patron as Rs73000/- life members Rs32,000/-

On this occasion of Silver Jubilee a souvenir was published incorporating many articles from members of the community, photos of patrons/chief patrons/ advertisements/donor’s names/maximum funds collector’s photos etc.

During this year Shri Palaneswamy an exporter of granites staying in B.T.M Layout was contacted by senior members of our Sangha for donation for building construction. But he assured donation for construction of small Ganesha temple in our site and he paid as initial donation of Rs50, 000/- out of which Rs25, 000/- was paid for six feet deep foundation for the temple and the balance was kept for further construction. But unfortunately due to his personal problems he could not continue further and told us to stop the work temporarily and we could not contact him any further since he left the place. Instead of this a Ganesha Vigraha was installed made up of panchaloha in the main hall and performing poojas during religious occasions. During the year total membership of the sangha were as follows:
Chief patrons-18, patrons-44 and life members-78

Silver Jubilee Year of our Sangha was celebrated on 21/1/1996 at Purandara Mantapa, Rajajinagar, Bangalore. Shri G.N Shetti Proprietor of Shriram Distributors, Belgaum had presided over the function. Shri S.L Shetti was the chairman of the Silver Jubilee Committee and Shri Dinakar R Shetti was the chairman of the Souvenir committee and Shri U.M Harwadekar was the chairman of the finance committee and Shri Ramesh N Hosmane was the Honorary Secretary of the Sangha. Along with the Silver Jubilee celebration 25th A.G.M of the Sangha was also held on 21/1/1996.

Shri S.L Shetti, the chairman of the Silver Jubilee committee had laid foundation stone of Sangha’s building and a donation of Rs.30000/-paid for building fund as his first contributor to the fund. Shri G.N Shetti of Belgaum who presided over the function of Silver Jubilee announced for starting a Vidya Nidhi on the occasion of 75th year of birthday of Shri S.L Shetti founder President of the Sangha by collecting Rs 75000/- to the fund. 50% of the fund was raised by Shri S.L Shetti and his family and the remaining amount by donors. As suggested by Shri G.N Shetti, a well wisher of Shri S.L Shetti family.
The Silver Jubilee day Annasanstharpane was arranged by Shri S.L Shetti and family.

During 1997the venue for the Celebration of Magha Sudha Pratipada was shifted to Raghavendraswamy mutt on Dr.Rajkumar road instead of Shankar Mutt due to some reasons. Annasantharpane, on Magha Shuddha Pratipada day was arranged by Smt. Premabai Ganapati Shetti, Rajajinagar Bangalore (mother of Shri Nagesh G Shetti). A special souvenir was brought out during the year January 1998 for Fund Collection by the same committee formed during silver jubilee souvenir in 1996.the amount collected from advertisements in souvenir has been utilised to pay betterment charges of the land and to construct 360 running ft compound wall for all the four sides of the site. Sri S.L Shetti has been recommended for the prestigious post as President of the Building Committee during this year.

A simple bylaw was formed for S.L.S Vidyanidhi under the president ship of Sri B.N Shetti. We were able to fulfil the ambitious project S.L.S Vidyanidhi by receiving major amount from Shri S.L.S family, Shri G.N Shetti of Belgaum and Shri Gajanan M Shetti from Udupi and other well-wishers. During 1998, Magha Shuddha Pratipada day was celebrated for first time on Sangha’s open land by erecting Shamiyana for this purpose since the compound wall construction was in progress. SLS Paritoshak was distributed during this year. Shri K.M Shetti and family had arranged Annasantharpane during Magha Shuddha Pratipada Day on 29-1-1998 and Poojya Swamini Sampannananda for the first time voluntarily agreed to attend the Magha Shuddha Pratipada function. We were fortunate to receive blessings from Maataji every year till date on every Magha Shuddha Pratipada day.

During construction of compound wall and a dining place in the ground floor attached to main building, the services rendered by Shri. Shivanand Venkatesh Shetti (Puttu) is commendable. During the year 1999,Magha Shuddha Pratipada Day was celebrated in Sangha’s compound and annasantharpane was arranged by Shri Umakant M Harwadekar’s family.

On 6/2/2000 Magha Shuddha Pratipada was celebrated along with 29th AGM of the Sangha and first Samoohika Satyanarayana Pooja was performed and Annasantharpane was arranged By Shri Panduranga R Shetti of HBR Layout in Sangha’s compound. Betterment charges of Rs 89,690/- for the site measuring 130’ X 53’ was paid to Municipal Authority to get confirmed possession of the site and eligibility to get building plan approval from the authority.

2003-image

Magha Shuddha Pratipada day was celebrated on 2/2/2003 Shri. Dinakar R Shetti and family arranged Annasantharpane on that day. W.E.F 2003 the Annual General Body Meeting was conducted separately as per the laid down instructions. The A.G.M should be conducted within the three months of closing the financial year I e. 31st March every year.

Building plan for construction for 1st and 2nd floor was got sanctioned from the authority on 4/4/2005, Funds was raised for construction of building from residents of Bangalore and outside Bangalore.

Rs.22,00,000/- was the total collection till the completion of the first floor and Vaishya Vaibhava newspaper has indirectly helped for mobilization of funds. Through this media we approached our community people and infused confidence amongst the donors for the cause for which they were donating the funds.

On 17/04/2011 on completion of 40th year from inception of the Sangha, a program was arranged in the memory of senior members who had supported the Sangha in the name of Sansthapana day. On Sansthapana day an Annasantharpana fund was created for Magha Shuddha Pratipada day and we were able to collect more than Rs 11 lakhs within the span of two years. W.E.F 2013 Magha Shuddha Pratipada day Annasantharpana expenditure is being met by the accrued interest from the fund.

 2005: building plan for the first floor on Sangha’s site submitted for sanction along with anticipated construction of II floor also and got sanctioned on 4/4/2005. On 11th January 2005 during the first death anniversary of founder President of Sangha Late Shri S.L Shetti, Dr.P.M Shetti had suggested to contact all the well wishers of Late Shri Subbanna and his family members for donation to start construction. On 24/4/2005 a special meeting was conveyed to discuss about the plan etc in the residence of Late Shri Subbanna’s.

Subsequently a meeting was conveyed at the site, in the presence of Swamini Sampannananda  who addressed the meeting. Shri Rangaswamy a retired executive engineer in central Govt. and devotee of the mission was also present. Maataji encouraged the office bearers of the sangha to take up the construction and assured the services of Shri Rangaswamy at nominal fees. Maataji promised personal donation on this occasion. Shri S.D Shetti a senior member of our sangha contributed Rs 1 lakh, Swamini Sampannananda contributed Rs.1 lakh and Shri Gajanan M Shetti, retd.assistant Income tax commissioner donated Rs50,000 and founder president Shri S.L Shetti’s familycontributed Rs 2 lakhs.Many other well wishers have also contributed Rs. 50,000 and above for this noble cause as a donation to the building fund.This helped us to proceed  with the construction work and well wishers started to donate liberally for the fund subsequently. Magha Shuddha Pratipada was held on 9/2/2005 and Shri Raviroy and his mother arranged for Annasantharpane.

Completion of ground floor 2400sq.feet area was completed in 2007. On 9/2/2005 Magha Shuddha Pratipada day the 90TH  birthday of Shri Shantappa Malappa Shetti Retd. Teacher, Keni Ankola who was a well wisher of our Sangha was celebrated.  Hammini was collected through Vaishya Vaibhava by collecting small column advertisements by well-wishers of Shri Shantappanna and a sum of Rs 25000/was collected and handed over by D.D at Shringeri in a small function organized by Ankola Sangha on Magha Shuddha Pratipada day in the holy presence of Shri Shri Bharathi Teertha Mahaswamigal.  Special pages were reserved in Vaishya Vaibhava for narrating his special achievements and yeomen services rendered in the field of Social Service titled as ‘Sharana Shantappanna’.

Three rooms in the ground floor are named after the donors, Swamini Sampannananda(in the memory of Late parents), and on the either side of the stage in the ground floor  rooms were  named after ShriS.D.Shetti and G.M Shetti, Pune. The main hall in the ground floor has been named as SLS Sabhanagana. The names of major donors who have paid Rs 50000/- and above towards the cost equivalent to one room construction has been engraved in the marble stone as promised. The building of our Sangha has been named ‘Shri Shankara Sannidhi’ in the meeting held in Smt. Shantakka’s residence in the presence of Swamini Sampannananda. Smt.Santakka and other members who were present approved the title ‘Shri Shankara Sannidhi’ as it gives a spiritual feeling and a more meaningful title and also decided to install a life size photo of Shri Adi Shankaracharya in the main hall.

‘Shri Shankara Sannidhi’ Ground floor was inaugurated on 30/1/2006 on the day of Magha Shuddha Pratipada and Shri S.R Todurkar and family and Shri Subrahmanya N Badgeri and family  participated in the Pooja. Shri Subrahmanya N Badgeri (Rajesh Badgeri’s father) had arranged Annasantarpane.

On the inauguration day function Shri A.R Nagarkatte and Shri Gajanan M Shetti of Pune were invited as Chief Guests but they could not attend the function due to unavoidable circumstances and they sent their best wishes. Swamini Sampannananda and Smt. Meerabai S Shetti and Shri S D Shetti were felicitated as guest of honour during the function.

On 23/7/2006 ,36 A G Body Meeting was held along with the function of Suvarna Aagamana of the 10 families who landed in Bangalore in 1956 they completed 50 years.All 10 families /representatives participated in special Pooja function conducted on that occasion and a small Silver Ganesha idols were presented individually for pooja by Shri Ashoka G Durgakeri of Bangalore.

2006-image

On 5/12/2006 donor’s board was installed in the ground floor and the curtain raised by Poojya Swamini Sampannananda. A special Rasasanje programme was arranged in the evening and Smt.Jyoti U Harwadekar an eminent singer and Shri Shrikant G Shetti Karwarkar(winner of Yede tumbi haaduvenu up to senior level) participated.In this programme a small donation was also collected towards the building fund from the audience present.

In 2007 Magha Shuddha Pratipada day was celebrated on 20/1/2007  and Shri Onam M Binagekar and his family arranged Anna sanstharpana on that day.On 4/11/2007, 37th General body meeting was held along with Durgashtami Kannya Pooja programme and also Durga Pooja. On the same day Swamini Sampannanandaji’s  Sashtipoorthi samarambha was held and Panchloha Ganesha idol was installed in the main hall of Shri Shankara Sannidhi. M.F Meeting was also a part of the program. Magha Shuddha Pratipade day was held on 8/2/2008 and annasanstharpane was arranged by Shri Sachidananda M Shetti and family. 38th annual general body meeting was held on 14/9/2008 along with Shri Ananthapadmanabha Pooja and M.F meeting was also a part of the day’s function.

Out of the rent collection collected by the way of Shankara Sannidhi Kanike during the year 2008 to 2011 total collection approx.Rs3,50,000/- was spent for first floor construction. First floor construction was taken up in the year  2009 and Guddali Pooja was performed by Poojya Swamini Sampannananda and Shri Rangaswamy, construction engineer along with his team were present.

On 15/11/2009 Shri Vittal Sadashiva Navodaya Yakshagana Samiti Ankola with the children of our community a beautiful prasanga ‘shri Krishna Vivaha’ was presented in our Sri Shankara Sannidhi.It was a memorable event. Smt Sunanda Kadame was felicitated along with Shri D.G Shetti Yakshagaana troop head and on the same day M.F meeting was also held. Music composer Shri  V. Manohar and cine-artist Shri Ramakrishna were also felicitated in the programme.

On Magha Shuddha Pratipada day  i e on 16/1/2010 was celebrated with First Floor Vastu Shanti Pooja. Shri S.D Shetti family performed the Pooja. Subsequently the first floor opening ceremony was held on the same day and inaugurated by Shri Anant R Nagarkatte and his wife, and named as ‘Sukenashree’ in recognition for the services rendered by seniors Sarvashri Subramanya, Keshava, Narayana, Shreepada ie the first word of each names Late S.L Shetti, K.M Shetti, N.R Shetti and
S.R. Todurkar. Also photos of all senior personalities have been displayed in the office room of the Sangha.

During the inaugural function senior members of the community and also well-wishers
Shri Subrahmanya N Badgeri, Smt. Meerabai S Shetti Ramabai K Shetti,Smt. Subbalaxmi S Todurkar were honored by Shri R.G Devadhar, a senior member of our community. Anna santharpane was arranged by Shri R.G Devadhar and family. A book written by Smt. Veena R. Devadhar on Paakashaastra was released on this auspicious day by Vedamoorthi Shri Sudarshana Sharma of Adhyatma Prakashan Karyalaya Bangalore who was also present on this occasion. On 21/11/2010 Annual General Body Meeting (40th) was held along with M.F. Meeting. Shri Shri Jagadguru Bharati Teertha Mahaswamiji’s 60th birthday celebration was held on 5/4/2011 and a Hammini of Rs 1,00,101/- and donation for pictorial souvenir of Rs 20,000/- was collected from the membrs and draft was handed over by the president of the Sangha Shri M.P Shetti during the programme at Sringeri.

Magha Shudha Pratipada day Annasantarpana was served by Shri Shridhar E Shetti and family on 3/2/2011. On 17/04/2011 our Sangha celebrated ‘Sansthapana day’ celebration on the occasion of completing 40 years from the date of inception of the Sangha. Lunch was served by Late Shri S.L Shetti’s family members in the memory of 10th anniversary of Late Shri S.L Shetti and his 90th birthday remembrance. On this day a Harikathe was arranged by Late Shri S.L Shetti’s family  and the Harikathe was performed by Rajyotsava awardee Sant Bhadragiri Achuthdas on Shree Ram Katha and while narrating the sita swayamwara a garland hung to a photo detached and was hanging down by right side of the photo as prasadam. Watching this the audience were thrilled at the sight. Santa Achutdasji later performed the ‘Sannidhi Ganesha’ Pooja in the main hall and concluded the morning session.

Afternoon session was inaugurated by chief guest Shri Gajanan M Shetti, a senior officer of Excise Dept. Udupi and President of the function Shri V.S Anil, Asst. Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Malleshwaram circle, spoke few words on this occasion and narrated the relationship he had with Late Shri S.L Shetti during his younger days.Shri Nagesh Ramakant Shetti, Director, Admin of Yum Restaurant was the guest of honor on that day. On 24/1/2012, Magha Shuddha Pratipada day was celebrated and Annasantarpana was arranged by Shri Manjunath P Shetti and family. During 2013, Magha Shuddha Pratipada day Annasantharpana was arranged by Shri Ganapati M Nagarkatte and family.

2013-image

On 4/1/2013 long awaited B.W.S.S.B water connection got sanctioned to our building by paying pro rate fees on constructed building area @Rs 300/sq.ft and total amount of Rs 1,63,500/- has been paid to B.W.S.S.B on the total area of 5545 sq.ft. Along with this Beneficiary Capital Contribution one-time payment at commercial rate since the building has been utilized commercially some times. Registration of our Sangha from the joint registrar of co operative society was done during 1971. Now during 2012 renewal of the sangha’s registration has been completely done wef 1971 to 2012(32 years) and certificate has been obtained from the joint registrar of co- operative society to that effect. And there after every year renewal is being done promptly. During this process Shri Nagesh Subray Shetti who is active member of our Sangha has helped a lot for which Sangha is thankful to him. Members of our Bangalore Kannada Vaishya Sangha are generously contributing every year towards Kalyana Nidhi established in Karwar Jilla Kannada Vaishya Samaj Ankola, the motto of which is to help the poor and needy people of our community. So far approximately 2.5 lakhs to 3 lakhs has been collected from Bangalore members and remitted to Kannada Vaishya Samaj Ankola. The collection from the members is being done by Shri V.D Kasbekar voluntarily.

By D R Shetti

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