The Gazetteers Department

The Lokmanya Tilak Smarak Wachan Mandir, Chiplun, was established in 1864 as the Native General Library but was renamed in 1938. The Mandir was started with the object of conducting a library and a free reading room. Membership is open to all. Members of the Wachan Mandir constitute the general body which elects a Managing Committee of not more than seven members, including the secretary. The Managing Committee has a tenure of one year. The Mandir in 1957 had on its roll 120 members. It also arranges lectures of eminent persons on various subjects. At present it is working as Taluka Library and is recognised as such by the Government. The properties and assets of the Mandal (worth Rs. 18,166 on 31st March 1956) consisted of buildings, investments, furniture and fixtures, books, etc. Its income and expenditure in that year were Rs. 2,119 and Rs. 1,786 respectively.

Nagar Wachan Mandir.

The Nagar Wachan Mandir, Malvan, was started in 1906 to inculcate and foster taste for knowledge among the people of the town by running a library. The membership of the Mandir consists of life members, benefactors and well-wishers. The Mandir is looked after by a Managing Committee of 11 members which includes the chairman, vice-chairman, one treasurer, secretary and assistant secretary. The Mandir is at present running a library and a reading room. There is separate membership for the library and the reading room. The number of books on its register in 1956-57 was worth about Rs. 39,000. Its assets consisted of land, buildings, books, furniture, etc. Its receipts and payments were Rs. 2,402 and Rs. 2,376 respectively in the same year.

Ratnagiri Nagar Wachanalaya.

The Ratnagiri Nagar Wachanalaya, Ratnagiri was established in 1828 to collect books in Marathi, English, Sanskrit and Hindi and make them available to readers and conduct a reading room. There are four classes of membership depending upon monthly subscription Every member has to pay an initial deposit of Rs. 3. The day-today affairs of the Wachanalaya are looked after by a Managing Committee consisting of seven members including (chairman and two secretaries). The general body (number of members 541 in 1957) elects the Managing Committee every year. Its assets were worth about Rs. 79,352 in that year; income and expenditure were respectively Rs. 7,639 and Rs. 7,376.

Shri Ram Wachan Mandir and Kreeda Bhavan.

The Shri Ram Wachan Mandir and Kreeda Bhavan, Sawantwadi, was established in 1852 to spread knowledge among the public by making available to the members of the organisation books, periodicals, etc. and make provision for playing Indian and foreign games and thereby inculcate in them love for sports. The society has on its roll patrons, benefactors, life members and ordinary members (of five kinds). There is also separate provision for reading specified newspapers during working hours of the library. Also, on payment of Re. 1 every year outside subscribers can also take advantage of this facility for about a month during their stay in Sawantwadi. All the members referred to above constitute the general body which elects a president, the Managing Body and the auditor. The chairman, secretary, and joint secretaries are also elected by the general body. Its properties and assets in 1957 consisted of investments, furniture and fixtures, books, etc. Its income in that year was Rs. 4,213 and expenditure Rs. 3,991.

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