Berhampore (Garijam Dt.) Estd. 13th Aug. 1905.
The Prarthana Samaj, Berhampore (Ganjam Dt.).
Secretary —Mr. V. Sriniwas Rao, Berhampore (Dt. Ganjam).
Members—21 ( of this three are Anusthame).
Meetings—Onoe a week for prayer. Other meetings to commemorate the death of Ram Mohan, &c., are held. English and Telugu are the languages in which these meetings are condooted.
Mandir—No Mandir. Its want is keenly felt. A small house has been rented for the nse of the Samaj.
History—Baba Hem Chandra Sarkar visited this place in 1905. Previously the minds of many young men were in a fit condition to receive his message. And an attempt -was made singlehanded by Mr J. V. Narayan and proved partially successful. The first prayer meeting was held in a private house and attended by Mr. K. Namasivayam, and Mr. Ramalingam, B. A, L. T., who up till now take a good deal of interest in the Samaj.
The Samaj has now considerably progressed. Its delegates were sent to the Theistic Conference at Calcutta. It has gradually attraoted many earnest young men who have brought tho movement to the front in the locality. The anniversary of this Samaj is held in Datara holidays generally. It was visited by Mr. R. Venkata Ratnam Naidu, M.. A., L.T., who was its President on the occasion of one of its anniversaries. Babu Viswanath Ear of Outtaok takes an interest In the Bamaj and as he is a good Uriya lecturer his connection with the Bamaj is certainly advantageous. His lectures in the anniversary of 1908 were universally admired by the Berhampore public.
Bezawada. Estd. nth June 1899.
The Prarthana Samaj, Bejawada (Madras).
Secretary—Mr. P. Subrshmanyam, Beaawada.
Meetings—Once a -week in Telugu and sometimes in English.
Mandlr—No Mandir—A building is rented for the Samaj.
Institutions—(1) The Socio-Religions Reform Association (1902 ).
(2) The Theistic Library and Reading Room.
(3) Theistic Book Depot.
History—This Samaj was started by Mr. R. Venkatasivudu. B. A., L. T. the then 1st Asstt. Teacher of the local High School and Mr. T. Raj Gopal Rao, on 11th June 1899. It Seems there was a Samaj so far back as 1892 and no account is heard of it. Divine service and other meetings used to be held at first in the press offiee of Mr Ch. Veerabhadra Rao- After a year or so Mr. Venkatasivndu left the place to the great regret of all the members. The Samaj work suffered for a while but times seem to have changed for the better. Members have now boldly taken practical steps in connection with the Social Reform Movement. The service is held regularly on Sundays. About 4 Rs. a month is realised in the shape of subscription and though this is no indication of financial success yet the Samaj is able to meet exigencies from voluntary sources and especially from its good treasurer Mr. P. Subramamyam. The Samaj has been affiliated in 1904 to the S. B. Samaj.
Mr. H. 0. Sarkar Has visited this place and has greatly helped its progreess in more ways than one.
Bhimavararm. ( Kistna Dt.) Estd. 1889.
The Prarthana Samaj, Bhimavaram, Kistna Dt.
Secretary—Mr. Veluri Ananta Ramaya, Bhimavaram P. ( Kistna Dt.).
Members— 10 Men
5 Women = 30.
15 Children
Sympathisers—20.
Meetings—Thrice a week in Telugu.
Mandir—None. Efforti are being made to erect one.
Callcut. Estd. 14th June 1898.
Secretary—Mr. C. Krishnan, B.A., B. L.
Members—25.
Sympathisers—50.
Meetings—Once a week in English.
Mandir—There is a Mandir consecrated on 15th October 1900.
Subscription—Re. 1 per annum.
Institutions—(1) Theistic Library,
(2) The Town Club.
The pamphlet “ “In memorium of Maharshi Devendra Nath Tagore.” was written and published at his own cost by the late Mr. G. Subbarao.
History—This Samaj was inaugurated on Sunday, the I4th January 1898 and its place of worship, built out of public contributions, was opened on Monday the 18th October 1900 by the present enlightened Raja of Calicut. A library is attached to the Samaj which now contains over 309 volumes, some oC which are the gift of Mr. P. Karmakar Menon.
In the death of Mr. G. Suhbarao, M. A. which occurred in 1909 not only the local Samaj but the cause of Brahamaism in the whole southern presidency suffered On irreparable loss. Mr. Subbarao was the main stay of this Samaj. He was the principal of the local Zamorin College. Being elected by the Brahma Samaj Committee of Calcutta to the Brahma Scholarship he studied theology for one year in the Meadville College U. S. America, where his health was impaired ; on returning to India he diedat Bellari. He has left nearly all his property about Rs. 10,000 for the cause of Brahamaism in the southern India.