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Mumbai, Dec 01: Their long cherished dream of the Ganiga Samaja to have its own premises has finally become a reality. The community has bought 1,200 sq feet in a building at Nehru Nagar at Kurla East. The office inaugurated on Sunday November 30. The association which started from nothing has been strengthened and has overcome obstacles to secure its own office in the 18th year of existence.

Ganiga Samaja office-bearers have recollected the help and contributions of well-wishers, donors, and all those who have offered support through suggestions and in other ways, and have invited them for the inauguration of the new office.

Ganiga Samaja, Mumbai, was formed after concluding that a community will not grow in the absence of an association.

The Ganiga association was started by a person in the community who collected one rupee each per head from Ganiga community members. The collection of such a paltry sum surprised the members of the community. As the community did not have an office of its own, the small sum was collected thinking that the community will be reluctant to contribute more.

Like-minded people in the community such as Jagannatha M Ganiga, Shanker Hanehalli, Madhava Ganiga, V V Rao, Vijeyendra Ganiga, Tara Bhatkal, Navin Rao, and Ashok Shetty joined hands. In a meeting held on August 4, 1996, the Ganiga Samaja was born. A temporary committee was formed in the presence of Ganiga Society leader and banker T J A Ganiga. Nagesh S Balimane was the founder president, Jagannath M Ganiga and Bhaskar M Ganiga were vice-presidents, Shanker Hanehalli, secretary, Navin Rao, assistant secretary, and Ashok Shetty treasurer.

The first steps aimed at uniting teenagers and youth by strengthening the links between them. The association was strengthened economically by collecting door to door donations and contributions from members. As president Balimane left Mumbai and went to his hometown, Krishna R Ganiga shouldered the responsibility by conducting meetings in his office. Secretary Shanker Hanehalli motivated members to work for the association. Member Tara Bhatkal aimed for all round progress and proposed contributions from unnecessary expenditure at weddings, birthdays, and such occasions, creating a source of income for the association.

Billava Association president Jaya C Suvarna had arrived as a chief guest for the first anniversary and had suggested united efforts from the community. Banker T J A Ganiga, late Kutpadi Ananda Ganiga and Udupi district Somakshatriya Samaja president K Gopala were felicitated.