The northern part of the undivided Dakshina Kannada District is the present day Udupi district. Udupi district’s northern most Taluk is KUNDAPURA. Economically, educationally and politically, Kundapura is one of the most un-developed Taluks. However, it is recognized as a home for art, philosophy and culture. Amongst the population, Billava community is in majority. Their main occupation is agriculture. However this occupation failed to improve their economic condition. Hence, in order to overcome their financial woes, some of them left their native village for Mumbai, the financial capital of India. In Mumbai, gradually they adjusted themselves to it’s life style and adopted it as their second home town. As most of them were uneducated, initially they were compelled to work in hotels, shops and factories. The salary they earned was hardly sufficient to make both ends meet, let alone to help their poor relatives back in native village. The financial insecurity was so much that they had to struggle for their daily food, clothing and shelter. This common hardship compelled them to come together and work out a way to help their lot. These like- minded people started assembling at some convenient place and time to share their sufferings. In one such meeting, they concurred that some definite steps should be taken to make the lives of their future generation secure. That was the time when, the waves of educational revolution was hitting the shores of Mumbai. Mumbai Billavas also responded to the message of Brahmashree Narayana Guru viz “Get Freedom through Education, Unite to become stronger and be industrious to be independent”. This message has kindled the light of knowledge in them. As a result of this new enlightenment, an Association known as “Billava Seva Sangha Kundapura”,Mumbai took birth in April, 1988. The new Sangha was registered under the Public Trust Act on 29/01/1990. Right from it’s inception Shri Suresh S Poojari of Padukone, the Managing Director of Sukh Sagar group of hotels has been the Hon. President of the Sangha. He stood behind the Sangha like a pillar. He has been closely associated with all the activities of the Sangha. Without his active support and vision, the present achievements attained by the Sangha would have been impossible. Mr. Suresh S Poojari is a friend, philosopher and guide of our Sangha . All the members of the Sangha are truly indebted to him for his selfless contribution.
Today our Sangha has a total membership of more than 2000. The Sangha does not believe in publicity or show business. It has been rendering service to the poor brethren of the community in a very humble way. “Billava Seva Sangha Kundapura” Mumbai is the pride of Kundpura Billavas in Mumbai.
For the last 25 years, Billava Seva Sangha Kundapura, Mumbai has been in the service of poor and downtrodden people of this great metropolitan city of Mumbai. Some of the services rendered include awarding scholarships to the financially backward and poor students, rendering medical assistance to the poor and downtrodden, providing temporary shelter to the poor students who have migrated to Mumbai from native place, assistance to the people who met with accidents etc. Besides, the Sangha is promoting art and culture. The talented children of the members were identified and honoured in the presence of respectable people of the society.
The Sangha now possesses its own new office at Kamothe, Mansarovar, Navi Mumbai. The Regd. office of the Sangha is in Fort, Mumbai. The main branch office for correspondence purpose is in Thane(W), Mumbai. The Sangha intends to further expand its activities. The Sangha proudly declares that all these achievements were possible because of the active support of the members, well wishes and restless services of the managing committee members. The managing committee of the Sangha is a blend of elderly and experienced people, youngsters and ladies, all of whom devote their leisurely time in the service of the society.
The history of old Sangha:
Around 1942 our elders have established an association in Mumbai called “Kundapura Billavara Sangha” which was in existence for several years rendering various social services. We hear from some of the elderly members that this Sangha in association with some of the other Sanghas in Mumbai at that time participated in freedom struggle like non co-operation movement, etc. However some of them even today recall that for reasons unknown, the said unregistered association’s activities came to a halt in the year 1970.