The Gazetteers Department

There are a number of voluntary institutions meeting the social needs of the people in a variety of ways. They not only complement and supplement governmental efforts in many a field, but also cover fields of ameliorative services which even today Government may not be able to cover. These institutions have played an important part in the educational, social and cultural development of the district. Many of them were pioneers in particular spheres of social service and educational activity and on account of their constant and commendable service have won Government recognition, assistance and guidance.

Moreover, the existence of a large number of voluntary social service organisations in a district gives a richness to its institutional life which mere governmental action can never impart. Government too have increasingly recognised this aspect and have encouraged and utilised the agency of these institutions for the greater effectiveness of their own efforts. Thus State and voluntary organisations have been playing a mutually helpful part in the development of the district. Education, medical aid, uplift of women, encouragement to literature, etc., have been among the subjects to which attention is paid by selfless and patriotic workers.

The Mahatma Gandhi Granthalaya and Vachanalaya of Pen established orignally by a private individual in 1862 and turned into a 'Sarvajanik Vachanalaya and Granthalaya' in 1865 marked the beginning of voluntary organisations to serve a social purpose. This was followed by several institutions serving the social needs of the community in a variety of ways.

The primary responsibility for bringing about moral and material advancement of society lies mainly on its Government. But Government effort is also largely supplemented by the efforts of social institutions and public-spirited individuals. The urge to organise a voluntary association to serve a social purpose comes naturally to many persons. In Kolaba district such persons seem to have come forward to give a concrete shape to this urge for long. The purpose of this chapter is to give a brief account of such institutions as have attained a fair degree of stability and importance and are doing useful social service.

Trusts and Societies.

A study of the Directory of public trusts and societies in the district is a valuable aid to assess voluntary popular effort for social weal. Most of the temples of Hindus are such trusts which number 338. Similar Muslim trusts are 142 while the tiny Bene Israel Community has 5 such trusts. Cosmopolitan trusts are 43 and eight societies mainly carry on educational work. The total valuation of the properties of such trusts and societies has been made officially at over 47 lakhs, income from which is estimated at 5 lakhs and expenditure at one lakh and a quarter. These figures are based on the information available till 1935 and so is not up to date, but appreciable variation may not be expected.

Abhinava Jnyan Mandir.

The Abhinava Jnyan Mandir was established at Karjat on June 6. 1935. The Mandir bad 51 members in 1958-59.

The Mandir conducts a high school at Karjat which was attended by 456 pupils in 1958-59. The school conducts classes for Hindi and Sanskrit examinations also.

The Mandir's work is managed by a Governing Body and a Managing Body. The Governing Body consists of five members. The Managing Body consists of eleven members including the Chairman, the Secretary, the Treasurer and eight members. These are ex-officio members of the Governing Body with the addition of two more members from the Managing Body.

In 1958-59 it had an income of Rs. 48,516 while the expenditure came to Rs. 48,669. The Society had assets worth about Rs. 50,000. The school run by the Society got Government grant of Rs. 16,884.

Shikshan Prasarak Mandal.

The Alibag Taluka Shikshan Prasarak Mandal, Alibag, was established in November, 1937 and was registered with the Govern- ment in 1941. The institution was established with the object of eradicating illiteracy. In 1958-59 there were 60 members of the Mandal. The members elected a small executive committee to look after the administration of the Mandal.

At present the Mandal runs 29 Voluntary Schools of which four are in Adivasi (Aborigines) localities. Of these, 14 schools are situated in their owned premises. The Mandal has also formed a co-operative credit society for the teachers in Voluntary Schools run by the Mandal. It also conducts a 'Refreshers Course' for the teachers. It conducts a library for the teachers, participates in the training camp of social workers run by Government and also seeks to provide medical facilities for the rural populace. The Mandal also aims at uplift of women and Harijans. The schools conducted by the Mandal were attended by 1,125 pupils of whom 825 were boys and 300 girls, in 1954.

The income of the Mandal during 1958-59 was Rs. 25,000 and expenditure amounted to the same. The Government aid forms the main source of income which was Rs. 15,000.

Congress Bhavan Trust.

This trust has been created at Alibag to held public causes particularly pertaining to Sarvodaya and the Congress ideology. It is managed by three trustees and has assets worth Rs. 30.000 in the shape of a building and a freehold kind. The building has been rented out to the Posts and Telegraphs Department. The trust has an annual income of Rs. 750 and an expenditure of Rs. 400.

Anjuman Islam, Janjira-Murud.

This institution was established in 1907 to provide for the religious, educational, social and cultural needs of the Muslims. Its assets exceed Rs. one lakh. Its annual income during 1959 was Rs. 15,903.75 and expenditure Rs. 19,953. The income was derived by way of donations from the public and its 2.000 members. Government gave a grant of Rs. 8,000 for its Agricultural High School at Murud. It has hostel buildings at Murud and Mhasla.

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar College.

This College was established in June 1961 as a memorial to the late Dr.B.R. Ambedkar by the efforts of 'Dr. Ambedkar Mahad Memorial Committee' which collected donations and raised funds to give the college its own building worth about a lakh and a half rupees.

The College is affiliated to the University of Poona and conducts studies in Arts, Science and Commerce courses. In the first year the College had only the Pre Degree Classes in Arts, Science and Commerce. Every year the next higher class will be added so that in due course this College will develop into a full-fledged degree College.

The significance of establishing a College at Mahad in memory of Dr. Ambedkar lies in the fact that Mahad occupies an important place in the public career of Dr. Ambedkar. It was here, that in March of 1927 he launched the Satyagraha at Chavdar Tank to establish the right of the so-called 'Untouchables' to have access to public watering places. It was also at Mahad that in December 1927 the first conference of the Scheduled Castes was convened. In his speech at the conference Dr. Ambedkar said that the object of his movement was to recognise Hindu Society on the basis of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. These events at Mahad were, in a sense, the beginning of Dr. Ambedkar's career as a leader and social reformer.

The number of students on the rolls of the College in the first year was 60, of whom 15 were girls, five belonged to the Scheduled Castes, five were Muslims and the rest, other Hindus. In the second year (1962) there were 192 students of whom 41 were girls.

The students themselves are encouraged to conduct and participate in extra-curricular activities, both academic and non-academic. There is a Students' Union of which every student is a member and there are several Associations like the Literary and Cultural Association, Science Association, Social Sciences Association, Trips and Excursions Association, etc., where scope is given for inculcating in the students a spirit of initiative, co-operation and responsibility. Besides, there is a Planning Forum which encourages the students to study the various aspects of the Five-Year Plans, and conduct surveys.

A Students' Aid Fund has been founded with a view to giving aid to needy students. Contributions are paid into the fund by students, members of the staff and others.

The College has a Gymkhana Department for Indoor and Outdoor sports and has also been allotted an N. C. C. Rifles Company.

A scheme of personal guidance is also in operation. The object of this is to establish closer contact between teachers and students.

The library contains about 6,000 volumes on a variety of subjects of special and general interest.

Shri Dhutpapeshwar Ayurved Vidyalaya.

Shri Dhutpapeshwar Ayurved Vidyalaya Samiti was established at Panvel on March 9, 1940 to encourage research and spread of indigenous system of medicine, to extend medical help and to provide relief to the needy.

In keeping with its objectives, the Samiti has taken over the management of Shri Dhutpapeshwar Ayurvedic Rugnalaya which is situated in the building owned by the Dhutpapeshwar Ayurved Trust, Panvel, who charges a nominal rent. In the out-door patients department, the patients are treated by Ayurvedic system of medicine. The average daily attendance is 70. The in-door patients department provides medical treatment for about 400 patients per year. On an average 250 operations a year are performed in the hospital. The hospital has 'X' Ray equipment and advantage of this facility is taken by persons living in the regions west of Thana, east of Khandala and Kolaba district in particular. The hospital is found to be of particular use to those involved in automobile accidents on Bombay-Poona National Highway where the incidence of accidents is pretty high.

For the conduct of day-to-day administration of the Samiti, there is a council of five members consisting of the President, the Vice-President, the Treasurer, the Secretary and one ordinary member.

Janata Shikshan Mandal.

The J. S. M. College, Alibag, started in June, 1961 provides instruction in the faculties of Arts, Science and Commerce. It has supplied a long-felt need of the people of Kolaba by providing a facility for higher education at the district place. The College has been organised by the Janata Shikshan Mandal, Alibag, a body formed by prominent social workers from Alibag. The College has been affiliated to the University of Poena and provided instruction for Pre-Degree Classes during 1961-62 and for F. Y. B. A., F.Y.B.Sc., and F.Y.B. Com. classes during 1962-63. It will be developed to a full degree status by 1964-65.

Students from all the parts of Kolaba district sought admission in the College, their number in the first year being 201 and 248 in the second.

The College has provided a cheap subsidised hostel for the students. The charges towards rent, services, lighting etc., are fixed at Rs. 90 for the whole year while boarding charges are Rs. 25 per month. This has meant a deficit to the rune of about Rs. 10 per month per student and the Janata Shikshan Mandal has borne this deficit with a view to enabling middle and poorer sections of the people to prosecute their studies beyond secondary school certificate examination stage. This appears to be the first attempt at subsidised hostel facility in the field of higher education open to all the students.

During the first year of the College 48 boys and 11 girls were admitted in the hostels and in the second year 90 boys and 30 girls- were admitted.

In addition to the usual lectures, practicals, periodical tests, etc, laid down by the University, the College has organised an intensive tutorial system to help students to bridge the gulf between the school and the college standards.

Students are also divided in small batches of 20 each and are given general guidance about all their problems by Professors in charge of such groups.

The College has also organised various co-curricular and extracurricular activities and organised Associations and Institutions to give opportunities to its students for developing their personalities and qualities of leadership. It takes out a College Miscellany once a year. It has organised a Students' Aid Fund and Book Bank to help needy students.

Hindustan Vyayam Mandal.

The Hindustan Vyayam Mandal was established at Matheran in 1939 with a view to propagating physical training among youths. In 1959-60 it had a membership of 20. It had assets and properly worth Rs. 8,041.

Hiraji Hormusji Baria Dharmaday Trust Fund.

The Hiraji Hormusji Baria Dharmaday Trust Fund was established at Poyanad in Alibag taluka on February 10, 1928, for effecting repairs to dharmashalas, temples, wells etc. The number of its members was five in 1957-58. In the same year it had an income of Rs. 653.48 and it had spent Rs. 485.74. It had assets worth Rs. 43,339.53.

Janjira-Murud General Library.

The Janjira-Murud General Library, was founded in 1882. In 1957-58 there were 87 members of the library. A managing committee of eleven members including the Chairman, the Vice- Chairman, two Treasurers, the Secretary and six ordinary members looks after its affairs with the aid of a paid staff. A representative of the Janjira-Murud Municipality is one of the members of the Committee.

In 1957-58 the income of the library was Rs. 1,235 while the expenditure was Rs. 1,191. The library received grants of Rs. 360 from the Janjira-Murud Municipality and Rs. 450 from the Government.

The library is situated in its own building constructed at a cost of Rs. 7,000.

Karsondas Mulji Library.

The Karsondas Mulji Library was established at Matheran on July 20, 1901. It was established with a view to making reading facilities available to the general public. It conducts a free reading room. In 1959-60, it had a membership of 30. It is situated in its owned premises.

In 1959-60, it had assets worth Rs. 16,498.75. During the same year the income of the library was' Rs. 2,305.36 while the expenditure came to Rs. 1,595.06. It received grant-in-aid of Rs. 499 from the Government and Rs. 1,000 from the municipality.

Kolaba Maternity and Infant Welfare Association.

The Kolaba Maternity and Infant Welfare Association was established at Alibag on September 24, 1924. It was established with a view to promoting maternity and child welfare in Kolaba district by providing medical aid and assistance to mothers and children and by providing aid, assistance and advice to expectant mothers, to mothers in child-birth and to mothers and others in charge of infants by conducting maternity hospitals, etc. A managing committee consisting of a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, Treasurer and a Joint Secretary looks after the affairs of the association. The managing committee also includes a representative each, deputed by institutions which give financial assistance to the Association to the tune of Rs. 500 or more a year. There were 24 members on the register of the institution in 1957-58.

The Association runs a 25-bed maternity hospital at Alibag. In 1957-58, 336 delivery cases were treated in the hospital. The average daily attendance in 1957-58 came to 15. During 1957-58, the annual income of the hospital, was Rs. 17,000 while expenditure came to Rs. 20,000. The hospital has a reserve fund of Rs. 1,07,700. During 1957-58 it received grants of Rs. 2,800 from the Government, Rs. 500 from the District Local Board and Rs. 1,000 from the Alibag Municipality.

The hospital has also an ambulance car.

Kolaba Red Cross Society.

The Kolaba branch of the All India Red Cross Society has been functioning in the district at Alibag for over 30 years. It is managed by a committee of eight persons, whose Chairman is the Collector of the district and Vice-Chairman, the Civil Surgeon of the district. Both of them are ex-ofjicio members and six others along with them constitute the committee. One of them acts as Secretary. Its assets are worth Rs. 13,000, annual income varying between Rs. 1.000 and Rs. 3.000 and expenditure within the limits of its income. The Bombay Red Cross donates Rs. 200 per year to its branch in Kolaba district. It provides hospitals in the district with cots, stretchers, dunlopillows, medicines and powedered milk.

Konkan Education Society.

The Konkan Education Society was started at Mahad in 1918. It was established with the object of advancing primary, secondary, higher, commercial and technical education and to diffuse knowledge among people of the area and to train personnel for village industries such as hand-made paper, match-boxes, leather, soap and others that can he suitably managed and conducted on a commercial basis.

The Society conducts secondary schools at Mahad, Roha, Panvel, Revdanda and Alibag. The Mahad school of the Society conducts classes which impart training in hand-made paper industry. It had also started an agricultural section in its school at Roha but it was closed as the Society could not fulfil the conditions laid down by the Government for starting such argicultural schools. The economic position of the Society is far from satisfactory. The management of the Society is in the hands of a council consisting of 16 members including the Chairman, the Vice-Chairman and Secretary, the President and the Vice President of the Society and the trustees.

Kotwalwadi Trust.

The Kotwalwadi Trust was founded at Narel in April. 1947, and was registered in 1950. It aims at economic, social and educational uplift of the Adivasis (Aborigines) and other depressed classes. In 1958-59 five trustees managed the trust. It had assets worth Rs. 40,000.

In 1958-59 the income of the trust amounted to Rs. 18.322 while the expenditure came to Rs. 19,174. It receives aid from the Gandhi Memorial Trust.

Kushtharoga Nivaran Samiti.

The Kushtharoga Nivaran Samiti was established at Panvel on March 5, 1952. with a view to eradicating leprosy from the district, and helping victims of that disease.

The Samiti has started a free clinic where 226 persons were treated in 1955-56. The Samiti arranges for the medical examination of the diseased at the Ackworth Leprosy Home. Wadala, Bombay, and they are treated as per the suggestions made by the Home.

In 1958 it had an income of Rs. 15,362 while the expenditure was Rs. 3,361. Private contributions amounted to Rs. 1,200.

Shri Lakshmikant Sarvajanik.Vachanalaya.

Shri Lakshmikant Sarvajanik Vachanalaya was established at Karjat on October 24, 1919, with a view to inculcating the habit of reading among the general public and making facilities thereof available. The library had 150 members in 195960. In 1958-59, the library had books worth Rs. 2,240.

In 1958-59 the library had assets worth Rs. 3,600. During the same year, the income of the library came to Rs. 2,687 while the expenditure came to Rs. 2,187. The library got a grant-in-aid or Rs. 1,000 from the Government, Rs. 100 from the Village Panchayat and Rs. 150 from the Community Development Project Administration.

The library celebrated its Silver Jubilee in 1944.

Mahatma Gaadhi Granthalaya and Vachanalays.

The Mahatma Gandhi Granthalaya and Vachanalaya, originally started at Pen by a private person in 1862, was turned into a "Sarvajanik Vachanalaya and Granthalaya" in 1865, and subsc- quently on October 2, 1948, was renamed as Mahatma Gandhi Granthalaya and Vachanalaya. In 1954 it was shifted to its own building constructed at a cost of about Rs. 17,500. At present there are about 5,998 books in the library. The latter also keeps a number of 'dailies', weeklies, English and Marathi magazines for the readers. There is a special section for children.

The Mahatma Gandhi Granthalaya and Vachanalaya was established for providing reading facilities to the public and inculcating the habit of reading among the general public.

In 1958-59 the Library had assets worth Rs. 42.023. Its annual income and expenditure during 1961-62 came to Rs. 3,418 and Rs. 4,255, respectively. The library received grants of Rs. 1.436.37 including Rs. 1,000 from the State Government, Rs. 250 from the Pen Municipality, Rs. 50 from the Pen Urban Co-operative Bank and Rs. 113 from others.

The library is managed by a Committee of five persons including the Chairman, the Vice-Chairman, two Secretaries and the Librarian.

Nhava Charitable Institutions.

The Marine College and Seamen's Orphanage at Nhava Island (Bombay Harbour) is a remarkable example of voluntary social service that is being rendered to all the communities on the Island and to the outlying districts for the past 50 years, apart from the extensive agricultural development done on the Island in the past. All benefits from these charitable institutions have always been given free of charge to the people of Nhava as well as people from outside irrespective of caste, creed or religion.

A Trust was created of the properties situated in Bombay City and outside by the founder, Sir Muhammad Yusuf, which yields an income of about half a lakh of rupees every year. After reclaiming all the areas in the boggy lands of the Island, a colony was built for housing several charitable institutions at a cost of nearly Rs. 40 lakhs. Roads were built, electricity was provided, tanks and wells were constructed and an extensive area was developed for a garden towards beautifying the place. Thousands of trees of different varieties were planted. Water supply by pipes and drainage was provided, breeding places for malaria and other pests were cleared and other outlying places on the Island were brought under control by organising anti-malaria squads.

The following institutions were established: -

1. Marine College.-This institution is the first and only one of its kind in India which imparts nautical and technical education free of charge. Books, stationery, ceremonial and working uniforms are supplied to the trainees free of cost and even their examination fees are borne from the Trust funds. During the last 50 years nearly 2,000 students have benefited from the training received in the Nautical and Technical sections of this College and most of them passed out the examinations held by the former Bombay Government and now the Government of Maharashtra.

2. Seamen's Orphanage.-This Orphanage also is the only one of its type in India and is conducted as an allied institution attached to the Marine College where boys from the seamen community are given preference. At present there are 60 inmates.

3. Fatima Banu Charitable Hospital for men, women and children with a dispensary.-This hospital has arrangement for six beds in the male ward and six beds in the female and chil-dren wards. A free dispensary is also run along with the hospital where the daily average number of out-door patients is 40. A visiting physician from Panvel attends to the Hospital periodically and a resident experienced compounder, who works also as hospital assistant with subordinate staff in permanent service looks after the patients. Serious cases are brought to Bombay City by the motor boats provided by the Institution and such patients are helped to obtain admission in City hospitals.

4. Fatima Banu Sanatorium.-There are five bungalows built within a spacious compound on the seaside near Nhava Pier for the benefit of the people from low-income groups. One bungalow is reserved for vegetarians. The occupants of the bungalow have to pay a small amount of deposit for their stay.

5. Picnic Bungalow.-A picnic bungalow known as 'Dak Bungalow' is maintained for the public on a hillock near the Pier. A small charge is levied on the picnickers for keeping the place clean and tidy. Preference is given to educational and social organisations and an application is to be made to the Trust Office for permission to occupy the Bungalow.

6. Nhava Pier.-The Nhava Pier is also maintained by the Trust for the benefit of the public. There is also a small shed known as "Dharmashala" near the Pier for passing visitors. Expenses incurred for maintaining the Dharmashala, Dak Bungalow and the roads leading to the Pier are borne by the Trust.

7. Other Charities.-A limited number of widows from the City and old and disabled people living in the Nhava Island who are not being cared for by their relations or who have nobody to support them, are given monthly allowances out of the Trust Charity funds to relieve them from destitution and beggary.

Panjarapol Gorakshan Sanstha.

The Panjarapol was established at Panvel on January 18, 1908, with the object of breeding quality cattle and supplying pure milk. The number of members of the institution in 1959 was 39.

In 1957-58 there were 95 animals in 'the institution. It is situated in its owned premises. The institution owns 13 buildings of which eleven are at Panvel and two at Tamsai in Panvel taluka. It owns a grazing ground of 177 acres for its cattle at Tamsai.

In 1957-58 the income of the institution was Rs. 26,000 while the expenditure was much more than the income.

The institution got a token grant of Rs. 100 from the Government and some help from local merchants.

Panvel Maternity and Infant Welfare League.

This institution was started on December 10, 1924, at Panvel. It was started with the object of providing home service by train- ed midwives; conducting classes in midwifery, first-aid, home- nursing and home hygiene for women; conducting a campaign of mass education in the elementary principles of maternal and baby care and starting a maternity home and an out-door dispensary for women and infants.

The maternity hospital of this institution is situated in its owned premises. The hospital is provided with the services of a gynaecologist among other staff. The hospital has assets worth Rs. 2,85,000 including the building and equipment. In 1958 the total income of the hospital was Rs. 10,907 while the expenditure came to Rs. 10,985. The number of delivery cases per year is about 200. So far it has received a grant of Rs. 4,800 from the Social Welfare Board. It also receives a monthly grant of Rs. 150 from the Panvel Municipality.

The affairs of the institution are looked after by a Managing Committee of fifteen members including the Chairman and an Honorary Secretary.

Pen Education Society.

Established in 1910 with the object of running a high school, the society celebrated its golden jubilee in 1960. The society owns buildings valued at one lakh and has plans under consideration of starting a saparate girls' high school. The society's activity is confined to the limits of Pen town. It is administered by a Board. elected every three years by donors. Any person can become a donor by paying a donation of at least Rs. 25. Many residents of the town, past students of the high school, called the Private High School, Pen and others interested, have become donors. In 1960, there were 617 students on the school register of whom 448 were boys and 169 girls.

Pen Taluka Maternity Hospital and Infant Welfare Centre.

The Pen Taluka Maternity Hospital and Infant Welfare Centre was established at Pen on September 13, 1936. to treat pre-natal, post-natal and delivery cases. The institution had 80 members on its roll in 1959. The management of the Institution is looked after by a managing committee of 12 persons elected from amongst the members of the Institution.

In 1959 the assets of the institution were worth Rs. 17,830; the income was Rs. 6.000 and the expenditure Rs, 7,000.

In 1958 the hospital was equipped with 21 beds. In 1957-58, 212 delivery cases were treated in the hospital, 41 outside the hospital by the hospital staff and 61 operations were performed. The institution also conducts a training centre in midwifery.

The Maternity Hospital gets annual grants from the Pen Municipality, the Kolaba District Local Board, the State Government and the Central Social Welfare Board.

Poladpur Leprosy Home.

Leprosy Home and Hospital, Poladpur: The North and South Konkan Road breaks off at Poladpur and ascends the Mahabalesh- war range. Till 1893 a number of lepers gathered at the point for begging as this road was always thronged with bullock-carts carrying provisions and produce, salt, rice, coconuts, dried fish, pottery, etc., to the hinterland. It was one Mr. Haripant Govind Kelkar, a convert to Christianity and a schoolmaster in a Mission School who took compassion on these victims of leprosy. He had no financial resources for the uplift of these socially downcast people. He therefore decided to collect contributions from the people and from the money thus raised he built half a dozen low bamboo and leaf huts with straw thatching near the place of their begging and looked after their needs. The Rev. W. E. Wilkie Brown, a young missionary, passing through Poladpur in 1895 was delighted to see this benevolent work and informed the Mission to Lepers, London, of this praiseworthy venture. It agreed to stand the cost of more permanent buildings and to make a grant for its maintenance. And so a site was secured near-by and a beginning made towards the realisation of the objective. Soon the number began to in-crease and within the Home lonely, unbefriended men and women found new life. That is how the Poladpur Leprosy Home lying on the Bombay-Mahabaleshwar Road came into existence. It was at the beginning of the 20th century that the patients built their own simple, little Church building and in 1912 a more permanent structure was erected. The doctor's house (in 1952), the cottage for the staff and the inmates and the new hospital building (in 1959) were built in brick by the patients themselves. They were inspired by Dr. Victor Das who with his wife had come to the hospital in 1947 and has worked since then like a true missionary. The new church building, a permanent structure was constructed in 1955. The church building is 'L' shaped with a clock-tower. The tower serves as a water storage from which the water pumped from a well by the side of the river Savitri is taken and supplied at various points in the Home. The hospital building has a good operation theatre, stores, examination rooms, airy wards and doctor's and nurses' rooms. The hospital is staffed by a doctor, a nurse, a compounder and a laboratory assistant. The hospital had in 1960, 186 inmates including 107 males, 66 females and 13 children. Minor operations are undertaken in the hospital while for major operation patients are taken to Wai and Poona. The hospital receives an annual Government grant of Rs. 10 per patient which comes to about Rs. 20,000 per year. The Mission to Lepers pays about Rs. 40,000 per year by way of grant.

Samaj Seva Sangh.

The Samaj Seva Sangh was established at Pali in Sudhagad taluka in 1921 with a view to helping persons afflicted by calami- ties such as floods, fire, epidemics, etc., and needing relief.

In 1950, the Sangh received aid of Rs. 100 from the Social Ser-vice League, Bombay, for persons affected in the fires that broke out at Kumbharghar, Siddheshwar and Ghotavde. In 1951 the Sangh made a donation of Rs. 25 to a maternity home at Pali. The Sangh also arranged to distribute books worth Rs. 25. In 1955, the Sangh helped the victims of fire at Padghavali. It has given rent-free accommodation to a montessori school. It also placed at the disposal of the Sarvajanik Vachanalaya at Pali a rent-free room.

In 1956, the income of the Sangh was Rs. 2,225 while the expenditure came to Rs. 2,204. The Sangh had assets worth Rs. 10,000. It is housed in its owned building.

Sarvajanik Vachanalaya.

The Sarvajanik Vachanalaya was established at Alibag in 1917. In 1958-59, it had on its register 400 members. The general management is in the hands of a Managing Committee consisting of eleven members. The Curator of Libraries of the State Government is the ex-officio member of the Managing Committee.

In 1957-58, the library had a stock of 13,992 books in different languages and on various subjects. It also subscribes for many English and Marathi newspapers and periodicals. The library had assets worth Rs. 25,000.

In 1958-59, the library had an income of Rs. 7,400 and an expenditure of Rs. 7,100. During the same year it received a grant of Rs. 5,011 from the Government and Rs. 1,000 from the Alibag municipality.

The library is situated in a building donated by Dongre Brothers. The management is entrusted to a separate Board of Trustees. The library arranges lectures on different topics.

Sarvodaya Nikshepa Vasatigriha.

The Sarvodaya Nikshepa Vasatigriha was established at Alibag on January 30, 1950, with the object of using the trust funds towards the propagation of the ideal of a Sarvodaya Society. In 1952, it had assets worth Rs. 10,352. Its income during the year was Rs. 630 while the expenditure came to Rs. 245.

The trust is created out of a self-acquired property worth Rs. 5,000.

At present the fund is utilised for giving help to the blind and to the local montessori school.

Karva Sutika Griha.

Shrimati Jamnabai Ramnarayan Seth Karva Sutika Griha was established at Mahad on October 5, 1937, to treat ante-natal, post-natal and delivery cases. Since 1939, it is housed in its own building. It is managed by an executive committee of eight persons since 1959. In that year the total income of the institution was Rs. 9,284.36 and expenditure Rs. 8,305.94.

Sudhagad Education Society.

The Sudhagad Education Society was established at Pali on October 26, 1941, with a view to providing cheap educational facilities up to S. S. C. level. The number of its members in 1958 was 58. The administration of the society is in the charge of a Council and a Managing Board. The Council consists of 21 members composed of the Secretary elected by the General Body, three representatives of Patrons and Donors and 17 representatives of subscribers, that is the persons who donate to the society Rs. 12 or more per year. The Managing Board is elected by the Council. It consists of 12 members composed of the Chairman who is the President or the Vice-President of the Council and who is a permanent resident of the place, the Secretary who is the Secretary of the Council and nine members elected from amongst the members of the Council. The Head Master of the school is an ex-officio member of the Managing Board.

The Society runs Ganesh Balkrishna Vader High School housed in its own premises at Pali. This school provides facilities to those appearing for the elementary and intermediate examinations in drawing held by the Government. It also conducts a class for the spread of Hindi.

In 1958 the income of the Society was Rs. 26,346 while the ex- penditure during the same year was Rs, 22,242. It gets a yearly grant of Rs. 500 from the Pali Gram Panchayat. It also gets yearly Government grant of Rs. 8,500.

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