The Gazetteers Department

The Bharat Shikshan Mandal, Ratnagiri, was established in 1947 to spread primary, secondary, industrial and scientific education mainly among the children in this district by starting, conducting, affiliating and managing institutions for the purpose. The membership of the Mandal consists of six classes viz. (1) benefactors; (2) patrons; (3) fellows; (4) well-wishers; (5) ordinary members and (6) purse donors (for the Keshavrao Purse Fund). They all constitute the general body (24 members in 1957). For the management of the affairs of the Mandal there are two bodies, (i) the Managing Council and (ii) the Governing Board. The Council is represented by 11 elected members from the general body (including a chairman, vice-chairman, two trustees and a treasurer) heads of the institutions, secretary and two life workers (i.e. members accepted as such according to rules). It continues in office for a period of three years. The Governing Board consists of not less than nine members amongst whom are: (a) the chairman, (b) the vice-chairman, (c) one of the trustees, (d) the treasurer, (e) two members from the council, (f) heads of the institutions run by the Mandal and (g) secretary and one life worker. The Board makes recommendations to the Council for the smooth working of the Mandal and its institutions.

The Mandal runs at Ratnagiri, the Patwardhan High School which is considered to be one of the best managed high schools and looks after schools in the whole of the district. The Patwardhan High School is one of the oldest educational institutions in the district. It was established in 1902 as a middle school with three standards. It became a high school in 1936. In 1947 the Bharat Shikshan Mandal was started to take over this institution. One of the activities of the school which needs particular mention is the running of Kala Vihar Mandal where members are elected by the pupils. It carries out various extra-curricular activities (e.g. dramatics, exhibitions, magazines, etc.) under the guidance of teachers.

The funds of the Mandal consist mainly of Government grants and fees collected from the pupils. Its annual budget is of the order of Rs. 58,000.

Dapoli Education Society.

The Dapoli Education Society, Dapoli, was established in 1928 to facilitate education by starting, acquiring, affiliating or incorporating, at different places in Dapoli taluka, schools under private management or by any other ways best adapted to the needs of the people. The Society consists of five classes of members, viz. (1) patrons; (2) donors; (3) fellows; (4) ordinary members; and (5) sympathisers. There were 633 members on March 31, 1956.

It has a president, and two vice-presidents (one senior and the other junior) who are elected every five years by the general body. For the management of all matters relating to the Society, there are four bodies, viz. (1) the Council; (2) the Governing Body; (3) the Trustees and (4) the Advisory Board. The Council consists of 15 members (three from amongst patrons, donors and fellows). It is elected every five years at the annual general meeting of the Society and has its own chairman and vice-chairman. It looks after the general supervision of the Society and also nominates the Advisory Board and elects the Governing Body. The Governing Body consists of five members (including its chairman, vice-chairman and secretary) and has a tenure of five years. It is mainly concerned with the administration and supervision of the institutions run by the society. It also has control over all current and permanent funds sanctioned by the Council in the budget. The president has full powers to revise or modify any of the decisions of the Council except where the decision of the Council is arrived at by at least 2/3 majority of the members of the council. Its decision can be revised or modified only by the general body. The Society has two Trustees elected by the general body from amongst the members for six years to look after its properties. The Advisory Board nominated by the Council consists of eminent persons.

The Society conducts a full-fledged high school viz., Alfred Gadney High School, at Dapoli. In fact it came into existence because of the decision taken by the P. G. Mission (that is, the Society for the Propagation of Gospels) to close down its school which was established as far back in 1879. The Society subsequently look it over in 1928. The high school has one boarding attached to it and accommodates about 75 students. There were 481 students on the roll on 31st March 1957. The school has provision for physical training, Auxiliary Cadet Corps, Boy Scouts, etc. The Society's assets on 31st March 1957 were of the order of 1,79,718 and consisted of lands and buildings, investments, etc. Its income was Rs. 63,942 as against the expenditure of Rs. 60,014.

Vyapari Paisa Fund Society.

The Vyapari Paisa Fund Society, Sangameshwar, came into existence in 1937 to promote secondary education and commercial education according to the needs and requirements of the taluka. Membership (15 in 1957) of the society is of five kinds, viz. (1) patrons; (2) life members; (3) benefactors; (4) well-wishers and (5) ordinary members. The affairs of the society and the institutions managed by it are looked after by a managing board which consists of 11 members elected by the general body every three years. There is also a schools committee which has five members (three board members and two others, who may be outsiders, usually experts). Its functions and powers are more or less of that of a sub committee appointed by the Board; it supervises the working of the schools of the society. The society runs a high school at Sangameshwar known as the Paisa Fund English School. The assets of the society in 1957 were worth about Rs. 22,000. Its animal income and expenditure is of the order of Rs. 4,000.

Kankavli Bhag Education Society.

The Kankavli Bhag Education Society, Kankavli, was established in 1928 to start and run educational institutions such as secondary schools, industrial schools, agricultural schools, etc. at Kankavli and adjoining areas. It consists of patrons, benefactors, life members, sympathisers and ordinary members. They all constitute the general body. All matters connected with the Society are managed by the (1) Governing Body; (2) Managing Committee; (3) Trustees; (4) School Committee and (5) Bombay Committee. The general body elects, at the general meeting, (1) the president, (2) the vice-president, (3) one secretary, (4) one joint secretary, (5) one treasurer and four members of the Managing Committee. All of them hold office for three years. The Governing Body supervises the work of the Managing Committee. It consists of five members representing the first three classes, three representing resident members in Bombay and two representing Kankavli Bhag. They cannot hold office on any other body. The Committee's office is situated in Bombay. The Managing Committee consists of the chairman, vice-chairman, secretary, joint secretary, treasurer and six other members out of whom four are elected by the General Body and two by the Bombay Committee. The Managing Committee does overall supervision over the activities of the society. The Society has three trustees who are elected by the General Body and are in the sole charge of immoveable properties of the society. The School Committee consists of the chairman of the Managing Committee, heads of the institutions run by the Society and two members from the Managing Committee. It looks after the Society's institutions under the direction of the Managing Committee. The Bombay Committee consists of 15 members who are elected by the resident members of Bombay from amongst themselves at an annual general meeting which is held in Bombay. The main work of the Bombay Committee is to carry on propaganda and collect funds for the cause of the Society. It is conducting at present a high school at Kankavli. The Society's assets, annual income and expenditure were Bs. 18,291, Rs. 28,000 and Rs. 30,000 respectively in 1957.

Karachi Maharashtriya Shikshan Prasarak Mandal.

The Karachi Maharashtriya Shikshan Prasarak Mandal, Kudal, is a cosmopolitan educational institution and has been carrying on its educational activities ever since its inception in 1929 when Shri Shivaji High School was started in Karachi. In 1948, the was obliged to migrate to Bombay on account of partition of the country. Its affairs are looked after by a Council of Management which is at present (1957) conducting Kudal High School, Kudal. This school received an ancillary grant of Rs. 12,500 from the Government of India. It also received grants of Rs. 5,000 and Rs. 2,000 from Rehabilitation Department and Government of of India in 1955 and 1956, respectively. The school has its own generator to produce electricity. The school also conducts classes for examinations in Hindi. Outsiders can also take advantage of the facility. Another novel feature of the school is its free boarding house in which poor pupils are admitted provided they contribute some physical labour. Besides, there is an Auxiliary Cadet Corps Unit and Boy Scouts and Girl Guides organisation. This school is also a centre for the National Discipline Scheme of the Government of India.

Makhjan Panchakroshi Shikshan Prasarak Mandal.

The Makhjan Panchakroshi Shikshan Prasarak Mandal, Makhjan, was started in 1921 to spread education either by newly establishing or taking up the management of already working educational institutions with a view to spreading primary, secondary and industrial education. Excepting the annual members, all the members of the Mandal are life members which is composed of benefactors, well-wishers, patrons, special members and ordinary members. The management of the Mandal vests in the president, vice-president, Advisory Board, Executive Council, Managing Board, treasurer and secretary. They have a tenure of three years. The mandal has two advisory boards, one local and the other at Bombay. This Board advises the Executive Council regarding the working of the Mandal. The Council consists of the vice-president (who is the ex-officio chairman), the treasurer, the secretary of the Mandal and 16 representatives of the members residing in Bombay. It is in charge of the day-to-day working of the Mandal and its institutions. The Managing Board consists of five members of whom three are nominated by the Council and one by the local advisory board; the head of the institution is the ex-officio member. This board looks after the institutions of the Mandal and makes recommendations to, and obtains necessary sanctions from, the Council for the satisfactory working of these institutions. At present (1956-57) the Makhjan English School, Makhjan, is being run under the auspices of the Mandal. There were 200 students on the roll. The school has an association of past students. The Mandal is running what is called the Krishna Bhavan Vidhyarthi Vasatigriha. There is also a Poor Boys' Fund to help needy and poor students in the school. In 1956-57, the Mandal had assets worth about Rs. 70,000 and consisted of lands and buildings, investments, furniture, etc. Its receipts amounted to Rs. 27,859 while payments were of the order of Rs. 20,895.

Malvan Education Society.

The Malvan Education Society, Malvan, was established in 1911 with a view to instruct, maintain and manage the Anant Shivaji Desai Topiwalla High School at Malvan and to promote education. The Society is registered under the Society's Act of 1860 and also under the Bombay Public Trusts Act of 1950. It consists of hereditary members, life members, ordinary members, honorary members and the members and the president of the Board of Trustees of Anant Shivaji Desai Fund. There were 59 members of the society in 1957. The Inspector of Education of the district who is the ex-officio member of the Board of Trustees of the Fund is the ex-officio President of the Society. Its management is looked after by a Managing Board comprising the members of the Board of Trustees of the Fund, five nominees of the President, three representatives of the hereditary members, two representatives of active life members and the head master of the high school. The head master is also the ex-officio secretary of the Managing Board. It is elected every three years, though its chairman is elected by its members from amongst themselves every year. It looks after the general supervision of the Society and the high school. In addition to the high school it also runs a primary school. The high school conducts special classes for (1) High School Scholarship Examinations; (2) Hindi Examinations (three only); (3) Sanskrit Examination of Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth, Poona and (4) Elementary and Intermediate Drawing Grade Examinations.

The society's receipts and payments were of the order of Rs. 63,132 and Rs. 44,249 respectively in 1956-57.

The Parshuram Education Society, Chiplun, came into existence in 1918 to spread and facilitate education by starting, affiliating and incorporating institutions for giving instructions in the various recognised departments of knowledge.

Parshuram Education Society.

The society consists of patrons, vice-patrons, fellows and ordinary members and they together constitute the general body. There were 363 members in 1957. The affairs of the society are managed by (1) the Council; (2) the Governing Body; (3) the Trustees and (4) Representatives of the permanent teachers. The Council consists of fifteen members viz., (i) five representatives of the Board of permanent teachers; (ii) ten members elected at the general meeting of whom eight must have passed at least one examination of a recognised university or institute. The Council has a tenure of three years and looks after the general supervision and management of the Society. The Governing Body has to look after the Institutions run by the Society. It consists of the chairman and a vice-chairman of the Council (who are also ex-officio chairman and vice-chairman of the Governing Body), three permanent teachers sitting on the Council, four members elected by the Council, and a nominee of Chiplun Municipality. The governing body is elected at the end of every third year. There are two Trustees of the Society who are appointed every third year by the General Body. The Trustees are in the charge of Society's properties and permanent funds. All the permanent teachers in the institution of the society constitute the Board of Permanent Teachers and elect from amongst themselves their representatives for the Council. They have to arrange for the collection of funds (and maintain their accounts) for the Society and prepare the annual budget for each of the Society's institutions and submit it to the Governing Body. The Society has been running United English School, Chiplun. There were 618 students in 1956-57 (479 boys and 139 girls). Its property consisted of land and buildings, furniture and other investments (worth Rs. 2,71,131); its income was Rs. 66,467 as against an expenditure Rs. 71,688.

Rajapur Shikshan Prasarak Mandal.

The Rajapur Shikshan Prasarak Mandal, Rajapur, was originally established in 1924 with the object of taking over the management of the Rajapur High School, an institution which was started as far back as in 1890. The aims and objects of the Mandal are: (i) starting and conducting schools and colleges; and (ii) incorporating, managing and affiliating institutions engaged in the spread of education, primary, secondary, commercial and technical. The institution is registered under the Public Trusts Act, 1950.

There are five classes of membership, viz., (i) patrons; (ii) fellows; (iii) ordinary members; (iv) life members and (v) retired life members. They together constitute. the Mandal and numbered about 250 in 1956-57. For the management of its affairs the Mandal has (a) an Advisory Board, (b) Governing Council and (c) a Board of Life Members. The Advisory Board is to advise the Governing Council on all matters of policy and administration and it is obligatory on the Council to abide by this advise. The Governing Council consists of the life members (elected by Life Members' Board) and six members (of which one must be a woman) elected by the General Body. Heads of the institutions run by the Mandal are ex-officio members of the Council. The tenure of the Council is for three years. It is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the institutions owned or run by the Mandal. The number of members of the Board of Life Members is between three and five. The duty of this Board is mainly to make recommendations through the Council regarding the efficient running of all the institutions

Rajapur Shikshan Prasarak Mandal runs the Rajapur High School, Rajapur. This school was originally started with 30 pupils and had three standards. Since 1912 it is being run as a full-fledged high school. Diversified courses in (1) agriculture, (2) commerce, and (3) fine arts were gradually introduced and for that reason it is considered as a pioneer multi-purpose high school. The Mandal also conducts at Rajapur a Basic Training College which prepares primary teachers for Primary Teachers' Certificate Examination, Both these institutions are provided with hostel accommodation at moderate charges. Besides, the Mandal imparts instructions even to outsiders in carpentry, tailoring, painting, music, shorthand and typewriting.

The assets of the Mandal were worth about Rs. 2,25,000 and included lands, buildings, furniture, books, etc. Its annual income and expenditure were of the order of Rs. 1,40,000 and Rs. 1,35,000 respectively.

Ratnagiri Education Society.

The Ratnagiri Education Society, Ratnagiri, was established in 1933. It stands for the spread of primary, secondary, and collegiate education in all branches-arts, science, commerce, medical, legal, technical and industrial-by starting, maintaining, managing, con-ducting, affiliating or incorporating institutions, schools and colleges without any distinction of sex, caste, creed, class or community. It also aims at providing instruction by means of lectures, post-graduate courses, publication of literature, magazines, periodicals, etc. All the affairs of the Society are looked after by the Managing Council, Advisory Committee and Governing Body. Properties of the society are looked after by a Board of Trustees. The Board of Life Members is concerned with the general problems of all the institutions of the Society and makes recommendations to the Governing Body in regard to their solution.

A glance over the Society's progress since 1933 shows that the Society has been struggling hard for educational progress of South Konkan. At present (1959) it conducts three institutions, all in Ratnagiri town. (1) Mahila Vidyalaya, which is concerned with girls' education, was established in 1925. Taking it over was one of the objects before the society when the society came into being. (2) R. P. Gogate College was established in 1945. It is affiliated to the University of Poona and prepares students for B.A. and B.Sc. degrees. It also provides hostel accommodation for students. (3) R. B. Shirke High School came into being in 1949. Originally the name of this school was Tutorial English School. It provides coaching in commercial subjects, such as shorthand and type writing. There is also one Commerce Institute attached to the school and coaching for the Government Diploma in Commerce and Government Commerce Certificate is given.

The assets of the society by 31st March 1957 were worth more than Rs. 7,00,000 and comprised lands, building, laboratory, library, furniture, etc.

Sanskrit Pathshalottejak Nidhi.

Shri Sanskrit Pathshalottejak Nidhi, Rajapur, was established in 1889 to impart teaching in Vedas, and Shastras and to conduct and affiliate schools for the purpose. Spreading of knowledge by lectures, discussions, magazines, publication of books, etc. is also one of the objectives of this institution. For the management of its affairs, the institution has (1) the Board of Management, (2) the Executive and (3) the Board of Trustees. At present a Sanskrit Pathshala is conducted under its auspices at Rajapur. Till 1957 about 400 students had studied literature,, Vendanta, Ayurveda, etc. in this school. It also has a collection of rare books and manuscripts. A charitable dispensary is being run under the auspices of the Nidhi where treatment is given free of charge.

Sawantwadi Education Society.

The Sawantwadi Education Society, Sawantwadi, was established in 1934 with a view to establishing schools in the town of Sawantwadi and spreading education by feasible means. It consists of life workers and supporters. Supporters are of five kinds, viz. (1) hereditary members, (2) patrons, (3) benefactors, (4) well-wishers and (5) life members. For the management of its affairs, there is a Managing Committee consisting of 14 members (including two trustees) and the hereditary members. The tenure of the office of the committee is three years. The office-bearers of the society are elected every year by the members of the Committee from amongst themselves. The Committee looks after the management and supervision of the society and the institutions run by it. The Board of Trustees consists of two members who are elected for life at the first general meeting of the Society. The society's permanent fund and other properties are registered in the name of these trustees. There is also the Board of Life Workers. This includes those workers of the society and its institutions who have dedicated their life to the service of the society. Every school has such a Board which is also duly represented in the Managing Committee,. The head of the institution is the ex-officio chairman of the Board. The Board of life members of every school is concerned with the general supervision and smooth working of that particular institution.

At present the society is conducting Kelsulkar English School which was started in 1901. Taking over this school was also one of the objects of the society when it was established. In its schools instruction is imparted both for secondary and primary standards. These schools also conduct coaching classes for Shrimati Nathibai Damodar Thakarsi Uuniversity and Poona University (External) degree examinations. Special coaching for students appearing for the examinations conducted by Maharashtra Bhasha Sabha, Tilak Vidyapeeth and Marathi Sahitya Sangh are also held. The society owns four buildings. Its annual income and expenditure are of the order of Rs. 42,000.

Shikshan Prasarak Mandal.

The Shikshan Prasarak Mandal, Deorukh, was established in 1927 to spread primary, secondary, industrial, commercial and technical education in the taluka of Sangameshwar and for that matter start, conduct, manage, affiliate and incorporate educational institutions. The Mandal consists of patrons, life members, ordinary members and life workers. It has a Managing Board which looks after the day-to-day affairs of the Mandal such as, supervision of schools etc. The Governing Council is the sanctioning authority and consists of the president of the Mandal, vice-presidents, three representatives of patrons, five representatives of life members, seven of ordinary members and a representative of the heads of the institutions run by the Mandal. At least ten members of the Governing Council are required to be residents of Bombay. The Managing Board and the Governing Council are elected every three years. In the case of difference of opinion between the Board and the Council, President's decision is final and the Board must implement it. At present the Mandal runs the New English School at Deorukh which was a middle school till 1938. Its strength was 300 in 1957. The Mandal had property worth about Rs. 74,000 invested in schools, buildings, furniture, library, etc. Its income and expenditure were of the order of Rs. 31,235 in that year.

Vengurla Education Society.

The Vengurla Education Society, Vengurla, came into existence in 1926 to facilitate and promote the spread of education by conducting, starting, affiliating or incorporating schools and educational institutions. The society consists of patrons, fellows and members. It has a president, three vice-presidents (of whom one must be a resident of Vengurla), a secretary (who is also the secretary of the Managing Committee), a treasurer (who must be a resident of Vengurla), and two auditors. The Managing Committee is composed of (i) the treasurer of the society, (ii) ten members elected at the general meeting, (iii) representative of Vengurla Municipality and headmaster (ex-officio secretary with no voting power). The Managing Committee has a chairman and vice-chairman of its own. The Society nominates the Advisory Board of not more than 11 members who are eminent persons to give advice on all matters referred to it by the Managing Committee or by the society. Its advice is binding on the Committee. When there is a difference of opinion the society's decision shall be final. All the office bearers and the Committee are elected for three years. The Committee looks after the general administration and management. The society has been conducting the George English High School since 1926. The name of the school was changed to R. K. Patkar High School in 1948. In 1955 Shri Mangesh Vidyalaya, a high school, conducted by another society in Vengurla was taken over by R. K. Patkar High School. In 1957 there were 575 students. This school is accommodated in the society's own building, has its own library and a big playground. The investments of the society were of the order of Rs. 11,600 in 1956-57, the income from which is utilised for giving prizes, scholarships, etc. The society's income and expenditure as on 31st March 1957 stood at' Rs. 15,924 and Rs. 15,673 respectively.

Vidya Mandir.

The Vidya Mandir, Vengurla, was established in 1941 to foster the growth of education, culture and knowledge among the public by opening, maintaining and affiliating schools. To strive for women's education is also one of the important objects before the society. It consists of patrons, fellows, and life members. Contribution is accepted in the form of movable or immovable property. Those who render substantial service to the Mandir are eligible to become honorary members on the recommendation of the Managing Committee. There were 162 members on the society's register in 1957. Its day-to-day working is in the hands of a Managing Committee consisting of nine members including a representative of the Vengurla Municipality nominated by the general body. It is elected by the general body and holds office for three years. The president and vice-president of the Mandir are elected by the general body. At present the society runs the Vidya Mandir Kanya Shala which was established in 1941. The head master of the Kanya Shala is the ex-officio secretary of the society and the Committee, without any voting power. Receipts and payments of the society amounted to Rs. 8,871 and Rs. 7,942 respectively in 1956-57.

Women's Education Society.

The Women's Education Society, Malvan, came into existence in 1918 to take over the management of the girls high school at Malvan. The object before the society is to start, conduct and manage educational institutions principally for women and to make efforts in all possible ways for the spread of education among women. It was subsequently registered under the Society's Registration Act, 1860 and Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950. Its membership is of three kinds, viz. patrons, benefactors and well-wishers. There were 500 members in 1957. Its affairs are managed by a Managing Committee. At present the society is running Lakshmibai Topiwalla Kanya Shala, the Suneetadevi Motiram Desai Training College for Women and a primary school which is attached to the training college as a practising school. In 1957, the society had land and buildings worth about Rs. 1,44,000. Its annual income is about Rs. 51,000 as against the expenditure of Rs. 55,000. The deficit is generally met by collecting donations etc.

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