LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS/LIST OF DONORS
Table 1 (To see the list click here)
Affiliated Centres

 3. Akola (Berar)    Opened 22nd June 1907
Committee
V. M. Mahajani, Esqr. M.A. (President)
R. B. Deorao Vinayak (Vice-President)
S. C. Hosali, Esqr. B.A., Bar-at-Law (Secretary)
V. D. Bhat, Esqr, B.A., LL.B. (Secretary)
N. W. Harkare, Esqr. (Secretary)
R. V. Mahajani, Esqr., B.A., LL.B. (Treasurer)

Members
V. K. Rajwade, Esqr. B.A., LL.B.
S. D. Cama, Esqr. B.A., LL.B.
N. L. Samel, Esqr. B.A., LL.B.
A. V. Khare, Esqr. B.A., LL.B.
H. B. Parchure, Esqr. B.A. (Asst. Master, High School)
N. B.    Vengurlekar, Esqr. (Drawing Teacher A. V. Schools)

The following volunteers from the Depressed Classes are selected lo promote the movement :-

Mr. Nanduji Shivaji
Mr. Keruji
Mr. Sambhu Ansu
Mr. Luxman Shankar
(All of Akola)

 It was resolved by the Committee that this branch should correspond with the parent Mission as well as with other branches of the same.

The weekly prayer meetings are held at three centres in succession (1) The Maharwada Night School, (2) The Janooji Free Boarding House and (3) Mr. Hosali’s house, on every Sunday morning. At these meetings in addition to reciting hymns and prayers, sermons on religious subjects and lectures on other useful topics are given.

 Events of the Years :-

 Five meetings were held during the year. Two of these were convened by the Committee suggested by the Social Reform Association, Bombay, one in each year when short reports of the annual work were read. The meetings were largely attended by the Mahar community and members of other Hindu castes were present; the Parsi and Mahommedan communities were also represented. The meeting of the second year was kindly presided over by the Commissioner of the Province; the Deputy Commissioner of the Akola District, and the District and Sessions Judge of the West Berar Division, Mr. Kelkar had graced it by their presence. Speakers from all communities took part in the proceedings. The Committee is thankful to Mr. Bashiruddin, liquor contractor of Akola, who in this meeting made a generous donation of Rs. 300 for the work of the mission in response to the appeal made by Mr. V. M. Mahajani for help. In this meeting Mr. Hosali, Bar at-law, declared his intention to distribute clothes worth Rs. 10 to the inmates of the Janooji Free Boarding House. Prizes were distributed by the President in the form of books given by Mr. V. M. Mahajani to the boys of the Maharwada Night School. One prize announced in December 1909 by Mr. H. B. Parchure to be awarded to a family that would be found always keeping their house and surroundings clean in the Akola Maharwada was won by Bhivsen. The prize consisting of clothes worth Rs. 6-6-0 was also given at this meeting to the man and his wife. Similarly prizes in books were given to those of the inmates of the Janooji Free Boarding House who showed good work in Sunday lessons.

 The depressed classes themselves held in the two years under report, three meetings, one at Paras and two at Akola. These were of the nature of 'Bhandara,’ when all caste people joined at a dinner and Bhajan party. Taking advantage of the occasion the leaders of the caste invited their sympathisers from other castes to speak on some useful topics. At the Paras meeting, besides some ten gentlemen that specially went from Akola, there were present two ladies Mrs. Yashodabai Agarkar (widow of Principal Agarkar) and Mrs. Vaidya (widow of Ganpatrao Vaidya of the Edl. Department).

 A handloom purchased by the Committee chiefly with the help of Mrs. Bendrabai (Janooji’s widow) was set up at the time of the annual meeting in 1909 as a beginning of an industrial class for the inmates of the Janooji Boarding House. The Committee is trying to secure a teacher for want of whom the class has been closed.

 Institutions under Supervision

 Akola Maharwada Night Class :— The class continues to work satisfactorily. The highest standard now reached is the third of the Primary schools. Its present strength is forty. Messrs. Mahajanis as usual defray the expenses with the help of Dr. Kolhatkar and Messrs. Rajwade and Samel, Pleaders. We beg to quote a portion of the remarks of Mr. Rustomji, Offg. Commissioner, who visited the school in September last : “Religious and moral lectures are given on Sundays. One given by Mr. V. M. Mahajani was listened to with great interest. It is to the credit of the Akola town that the gentlemen who have interested themselves in the cause of the Depressed Classes are Brahmins and judging from what I saw the results are most encouraging.”

2. Janooji Free Boarding House :— Mrs. Bendrabai maintains this institution for Mahar students who at present number about a dozen. When the Commissioner visited it in September last he observed, “The institution costs the late Janoo’s widow about Rs. 600 a year. The boarders were in excellent condition and well clothed and evidently Mrs. Janoo takes a personal interest in the boys. The institution does credit to this lady.”

3. Paras Night Class :- The class shows again at present average attendance of 25 which had gone much low during some months past. There are two standards taught. The class is recommended for a grant by the Inspector of Schools.

Other Activities
A night class is conducted by a Mahar gentleman named Poonaji Pairu with the assistance of his caste people at Wadegaon in the Balapur Taluka of the Akola District.

Mr. N. W. Harkare has been helping this centre by his visits to different towns. He has secured for this cause the sympathy of many of the people as well as that of Government officers.

It is sometimes said that the Mahars in this province are well off and that the word “depressed” is wrongly applied to them. We need only say in this matter that these people are generally depressed both socially and religiously, though some families can be found lucky enough to maintain themselves well by handicrafts and contracts. Elevation of these classes, therefore, requires strenuous efforts from all sympathisers to raise funds and find workers devoting themselves to the cause.

 RECEIPTS/ EXPENDITURE 
Table (To see the Statement click here)

 4. AMRAOTI — Berar       Opened 11th Jan. 1909

 History
If ever the question of the Depressed Classes was discussed in this city (Amraoti) it was for the first time in May 1907 when Mr. V. R. Shinde, the General Secretary of the D. C. M. Society of India, visited this city and delivered a lecture on the elevation of the Depressed Classes, in the City Library under the presidency of Mr. Pridaux, the then District Judge of this place. The lecture had a very good effect on the audience. Mr. Shinde then sent in November 1908 Mr. Bhalekar as a Missionary of the Society to work in Berar, who for two months prepared the minds of the people of the various Depressed Classes by lectures, conversations and personal contact. The result was that the well-known leader of the Reform cause in Berar Mr. M. V. Joshi came forward with an offer of Rs. 10 per month which with the assistance of other prominent persons, Mr. Mudholkar, Dr. Bhat &c., led to the opening of the first Night School at Patipura on the 11th of January 1909.

Work

(1) A Night School was opened in Patipura, a suburb of Amraoti on the 11th  January 1909. This locality is occupied by Mahars. On the opening day about 20 Mahar boys were present. This school continued in existence for nearly 12 months.

On account of the cotton season boys ceased to attend the school. Ultimately it was found that the boys and men of this locality did not care even to receive the rudiments of education and so the managers thought it best to close the Night School altogether. The Managing Committee was ready to carry on this school but the people did not like to avail themselves of the benefits of instructions so freely offered.

(2) The Mahajanpura School was opened on the 19th February 1910. It has been in existence now. This school had on its roll on the 31st Dec. 1910, 37 boys. In 1910 average number of learners on the roll is 37.5.

In 1909 the average number of learners was 22.5.

In this school the castes of the learners are as follows :-
Kunbi                        1
Butcher                     3
Mahars                      4
Shepherd                   1
Musalman                  2
Dhor —Tanners of Leather   25
Chambhar — Shoe-maker    1
                            ______
            Total            37

People in the locality are mostly leather tanners. Some of them own fields also. Most of them are day labourers and live by earning daily wages. People are poor. These people are desirous of learning. Mr. Bapuna Dhor & pretty big landholder has given part of his house for the use of school which is held at night from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. He has also given a clock for the use of the school and a chair.

Mr. Balappa Wani has given a table and a chair for the use of the school. The rest of the materials required for school are purchased with the subscriptions collected.

(3) A night class was opened on 1-10-1909 at Rajapeth. The class is held in the Municipal school. 15 boys on the roll. Daily average attendance 8.4. On the 31st Dec. 1909 there was a daily average attendance 8.4.

On the 31st December 1910 there were 18 boys on roll.

Castes of the learners are as follows :
Marathi Teli            2
Gujar                    7    
Mali                      1
Kunbi                   4    
Gondhali               1            
Kangar                 1
Kumbhar(Potter)   1
Rajput                  1
                   ______
        Total            18

The classes are held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

All the 18 learners in this school are day labourers and earn their living by wages. The people are poor. There is no scope for other class or school in this locality.

The following extract is taken from the Government Education Report published in the C.P. Gazette :-

The education of the Mahars, Mangs, Chamars and others of the lowest castes advances slowly. There is considerable difference of opinion as to how far this is to be ascribed to opposition of the higher castes and how far to the apathy of the lower castes themselves. No doubt the backwardness of these classes is to be referred to both causes; but there are unmistakeable signs of a change especially in the South of the provinces. The more sophisticated of the Mahars and other low castes have acquired new ambitions and a wider outlook; in one town there are Mahar Municipal members, in another a Mahar newspaper has been established. This activity on the side of the low castes finds its compliment on the other side in the schools for low castes which were established by Brahman gentlemen in Berar. (The Italics are ours.) In spite of these evidences of progress, it is still reported from Berar that although wherever there are Government or Board School buildings, Mahars are allowed to study inside the buildings, the Masters frequently neglect them in favour of boys of better castes : while in schools held in private buildings, members of the untouchable castes are relegated to the verandahs.

The following are the names of gentlemen who subscribe towards the expenditure of these two schools.
Table  (To see the name chart clik here)

Monthly income from subcriptions from the above named gentlemen is Rs. 19. Monthly expenses on these schools amount to Rs. 19.

G. N. KANE
N. S. BHANGALE
(Hon. Secretaries)
Amraoti, 15-1-11

5. DAPOLI    Opened

Second Annual Report of
THE D. C. M. SOCIETY, DAPOLI
(For the two years ending 31st December 1910)

Committee
Mr. Sayad Abdul Rahman Kadri (Pensioner) [President]
Mr. Sadashiv Laxman Salvi.
„ Sakharam Laxman (Pensioner) [Subhedar]
„ Sadoba Sakharam.    ,,        ,,
„ Nagoo Balooji (Pensioner)
„ Mahadev Raghoji Chinchwadkar.
„ Shivram Ramji Talsurkar.
„ Laxman Pamji Khopkar [Assistant Secretary]

(Dr. Waman Ambaji Warti, Secretary and Treasurer, having been transferred from Dapoli, the President has the additional charge of these offices from the year 1911.)

History
Dapoli Taluka includes a considerable number of people belonging to the so-called low castes. Amongst them are some Mahars and Chamars who have served as Commissioned Officers in the Army and have followed other occupations in different parts of India and now live in Dapoli on the pensions and other means earned by them; but age is helping the cruel hand of death in snatching away some of them every year, and as the doors of the Military Department have lately been closed against these communities, as being the undesirable castes, it has become impossible to see amongst them new pensioners and others earning a decent living. Some of them have a record of meritorious services in the army, and if some public-spirited gentleman could come forward to take up their cause and induce the benign Government to re-open the doors of the Military Dept, to them, he would certainly earn for himself the ever-lasting gratitude of these humble people.

On their own part, some of the members of these communities have in the past tried the means at their disposal, and I am glad to observe that their efforts have met with some measure of success. Their boys had no access to the local vernacular school before 1894. Unable to put up with this degrading position, they moved the Government authorities concerned in the matter and the authorities were gracious enough to order that their boys should be admitted to that school just as boys belonging to other castes.

The authorities have lately gone a step further by directing that these boys should be admitted to the said school without any charge for tuition. The Government have also reserved as many as 10 Scholarships for the boys of these classes exclusively, by way of direct encouragement to them.

I am sorry, however, that a considerable portion of these communities have not realised the importance of these concessions and have not yet availed themselves of these facilities of providing education to their children. I have already stated above that the social status of these people living in this town is becoming worse every day. Under such circumstances, some of the leading members of these communities and a few sympathisers, on hearing of the work of the Depressed Classes Mission Society of India acquainted themselves with it. Being advised and encouraged by the general Secretary of that Society, they convened a meeting of the residents of this place and the adjoining villages, in the maidan on the 16th November 1908 under the Presidency of Mr. Sayad Abdul Rahman Kadri, a leading Mahomedan pensioner residing in the town. The meeting was attended by several prominent members of the untouchable classes and their sympathisers from other castes. It was resolved that organised efforts should be made to rescue the depressed classes from their present undesirable condition and to induce the younger members of these communities to take advantage of the educational facilities which exist in Dapoli. His Excellency Sir George Clarke, Governor of Bombay, and his late lamented daughter, Miss Clarke, were warmly eulogised for the interest taken by them in the depressed classes. A committee was formed to collect donations and subscriptions and to arrange the necessary details in connection with that work.

WORK
Attempts were made to enlist the sympathy and co-operation of the prominent residents of the Taluka and appeals for help have been responded to not only by the more intelligent and well-to-do members of the depressed classes but also by leading members of other communities. Some members of the committee personally waited on.

Mr. Gibb, Commissioner, Southern Dn.
„ Maconochie, the then Collector of Ratnagiri.
„ Khareghat,    District Judge                „
„ Phadnis,        „    „            „
„ Dixit,            Asst. Collector                „
„ Divatia,        „    „            „
„ Garrett        „    „            „
Captain Irani, Civil Surgeon                  „

and explained to them the aims and objects of the Society and succeeded in securing their aid in a tangible form. Mr. G. C. Whitworth, I. C. S., formerly a Judge of this District, was pleased to send us a cheque for Rs. 30 from England, unsolicited. Miss F. Chistell gave some donation to this Society. Further, I am very happy to note that Rao Saheb V. H. Barve, the leading Banker and Inamdar of this place has promised this Society Rs. 150 in 5 annual instalments of Rs. 30 each. Our best thanks are due to such kind-hearted gentlemen for their sympathy and support.

Students — This year two boys were sent to the High School. They have passed their first standard examination and have been transferred to the 2nd standard.

The Society looks to the wants of these and other students and provides them with scholarships, clothing, books, stationery, soap, and in fact, everything that is necessary for a student.

Particular attention is paid to their cleanliness and the pupils are provided with soap every Saturday. They wash their clothes on Sunday and present themselves in a neat, tidy dress on Monday. The necessity of a daily bath is also pointed out to them with success.

The number of students is as below :—

English 5th      Standard    1
    „      2nd             "        3
Marathi 5th             "        2
   „       4th             "        3

Marathi 3rd              Standard    1
   „       2nd                      ”        8
   „       1st                       „        6
   „       Infant Class                    6

30 boys and 5 girls. Total 35.*  One boy is in the Technical School.

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* (Including 2 at Vakavli)

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I am glad to say that one boy has passed in the 3rd grade and 4 boys in the 1st grade Drawing Examination.

By way of encouragement to the School-going children of these classes, it has been decided to award prizes to them on the day on which the annual meeting is held.

Local Facilities

With regard to the education of these classes this place enjoys some special advantages that are denied to other localities. The first and foremost of them is that this place possesses a Mission High School of a long standing under European Management. The Principal of the Institution, the Rev. Mr. Gadney, admits these boys without any charge and shows a keen interest in their education and welfare. As already mentioned above, these boys are also admitted into the Marathi Schools free of tution fees. There are two Technical Schools in the Taluka, one at this place and the other at Vakavli — a village some 5 miles off.  They owe their existence to the late Dr. Vishram Ramji Ghole’s splendid beneficence and provide instruction in Drawing and Carpentry free of charge. The Committee has decided to help 4 boys studying in the School at Vakavli. The Rev. Mr. Gadney has also made similar provision for girls of these classes in his Girls' School. A few scholarships have, as mentioned above, also been reserved at the Vernacular and Technical Schools solely for the boys of these classes. In short, unlike other places, which have to maintain a separate school for low castes, with a separate building and staff of teachers, this place provides every facility for the education of these low caste boys. But the resources of the society at present are limited and unless the public make sympathetic response to our appeals, we can never hope to make provision for a considerable number of boys who are anxious to join the schools.

Supporters

I am glad to note that Dr. Nair of Messrs. N. Powell & Co. has been giving a monthly scholarship to a boy studying in the English 5th Standard, and Mr. S. P. Khopkar, in memory of his grand-father, the late Pensioner, S. M. Khopkar, gives 2 Scholarships to the first two boys studying in the English school. Our sincere thanks are due to all these gentlemen for their sympathetic assistance.

The Bombay Depressed Classes Mission sent a number of clothes to our girls with Mr. Sayad Abdul Kadir, as part of the gift from Miss. Krishnabai Thakur of the Swadeshi Vastu Bhandar of Bandra and she deserves our hearty thanks. I must also acknowledge the kindness of the “Rohidas Hitavardhak Mandali” of Bombay in sending a compass box as a reward to one of our students.
Table (To see the statement of Income and Expenditure click here)

6. INDORE                            Opened 24th April 1910

One day-school has been conducted for 15 months and a night class for about 4 months since the submission of the last report. The average attendance of pupils during that period was 6.

Meetings of the Managing Committee were twice called but the members could not meet. Out of six members only three are present in Indore and even they could not meet together. Once, when I wanted the opinions of the members on a proposal, I had to circulate it and could obtain the opinions of only two members.

Some of the donors and subscribers have not paid up till now though they were reminded many times.

Those Chamar boys who attended the Day School for a time were, on reaching the age of about 10 years, withdrawn from school by their parents who got them employed for 3 or 4 Rs. a month. This way the number of boys decreased gradually.

Then we tried to secure an increased attendance by paying something monthly to the boys who studied well and also to those who induced other boys to join the school. But this did not continue long, as the boys not being satisfied with what we paid, left in search of other employment. This is all due to the parents not caring for the education of their children.

Anyhow the school was conducted as long as money could get collected, enough to pay the teachers and other expenses. When funds ran short, Mr. K. S. Kelkar left teaching in the school. Only two boys who liked to study (one studied the 4th Marathi Standard and 1 st English Reader and the other 3rd Marathi Standard and English Primer) continued their studies privately under Mr. K. S. Kelkar for sometime and then under Mr. R. K. Nagarkar and now there being plague in the city, they have gone out.

One of these Chamar boys is desirous of going to Bombay to learn but his brother is not willing to send him and wants to engage him in the Chamar work.

Following is the list of Donors and Subscribers with their donations and  subscriptions noted against them from the beginning, i.e., May 1907.
Table 1 (To see the list of Donors and Subscribers click Table 1)

(To see the Statement of Accounts click Table 1)

7. MADRAS                            Opened January 1909

Committee    
Hon'ble Mr. Justice C. Sankaran Nair, C.I.E. - President
Mr. S. Kasturiranga Aiyengar, B.A., B.L. - Vice-President
Mr. V. Govindan, B.A., F.Z.S. (Lond.) - Secretary
Mr. H. Balkrishna Rao, B.A., B.L. - Treasurer

Members
Mr. V. Radhakrishniah, B.A., B.L.
Mr. S. Somasudaram Pillai, B.A., B.L.
Mr. Ratnavelu Mudaliar, B.A.
Mr. M. A. Jayaram Pillai
Swami Brahmananda
Mr. E. Subbukrishnaiya (Asst. Secretary)

Bankers
The Bank of Madras

Office
97, Anna Pillai Street, G. T. Madras

Origin
Early in January 1909, Mr. V. R. Shinde, B.A., General Secretary of the Depressed Classes Mission Society of India, convened a meeting of gentlemen interested in the work to consider measures to be taken for starting work in this Presidency for elevating the condition of the depressed classes in these parts. As a result a temporary committee with power to add to their number, was formed to establish and manage a centre for work in Madras, on the lines of the Depressed Classes Mission Society of India, which has for its objects the elevation of the Depressed Classes by means of (1) promoting education, (2) providing work, (3) remedying their social disabilities (4) preaching to them the ideals of Religion, Morality, personal character and good citizenship.

Our Work
As a humble beginning a day school was opened in the Vyaserpaudy Paracheri with a qualified teacher but as there was no accommodation available, the school had to be held under the shade of a tamarind tree for several months till a piece of land was leased and a tiled shed constructed thereon, for the purpose at a cost of about Rs. 160. This school has grown beyond all expectations, and has at present on its rolls 55 pupils with two qualified teachers. This school has been recognised by the Education Department as a Grant-in-aid Institution and at the examination held a few months ago the Sub-Assistant Inspector of Schools has expressed his satisfaction with the work done during the period under review. As work was progressing in this locality application was received from the Chucklers of Perambore to open a school in their neighbourhood for the benefit of their children and a day school was accordingly started with a teacher in the Bhajan Covil (temple) belonging to these people at Perambore. This school has also been recognised for Grant-in-aid and has a strength of 25 pupils. Later on, as it was found that there was a large number of youths in these two localities, who being day labourers were not able to attend the day schools and as they were very desirous of learning to read and write English and Vernacular, two Night Schools were also opened for their benefit which have a strength of about 50 pupils at present.

Workers
In addition to the paid staff of teachers attached to the four schools, the Committee have secured the services of two special workers who visit the different localities inhabited by the Depressed Classes in and about the city and speak to them on various topics connected with their improvement, foremost of which being the subject of temperance and cleanliness. The Committee think that a good deal of their depressed condition is due to their intemperate habits and all outside efforts will prove futile unless the drink habit is eradicated from them. A large number of these people in these two localities earn decent wages but owing to their intemperate habits they are hopelessly indebted to the money-lenders, who advance them money at exhorbitant rates of interest. The committee however hope that with persistent preaching it is possible to create, gradually a little sense of self-respect in them, and with this view meetings for the elders are held on Sundays and other holidays at which the workers and sympathisers interested in these people speak to them on subjects such as the evils of drink, the importance of cleanliness, the value of co-operation, the education of their children and allied subjects.

Visitors
Our schools were visited during the period under review by several leading Hindu gentlemen amongst them being, Babus Hem Chandra Sircar, M.A., and Sudhir Chandra Banerji of Calcutta, and Mr. K. N. Dewal of Rangoon, who very kindly collected a decent sum of money for our work from Burma. A number of students of the local colleges also visited these localities in company of the workers and from time to time gave treats to these school children.

Moffussil Visits
In addition to the work carried on in Madras our Workers visited Trichinopoly, Madura, Tinnevelly, Salem, Kurnul, Guntur, Masulipatam and Cowtharam for enlisting the sympathy of the public in those places.

Other Means Adopted
The Committee have also published several tracts, popularising the movement and opened a Reading Room at Perambore which has been supplied with newspapers and other publications by several gentlemen and publishers of the vernacular literature, to all of whom the Committee would express their thanks. A few public meetings were also held under the auspices of the Society in connection with their work.

Finance
The Committee started work without any funds in their hands but they are glad to state that their appeal was readily responded to by the generous public in and out of Madras, donations having been sent even from distant places like Rangoon and Insein. They are greatly indebted to all who have thus readily helped them and among others the Committee cannot but mention the names of Mr. S. Ratnavelu Chetty, Dubash, Messrs. Best and Co., who had promised Rs. 1,000, out of which he had already paid Rs. 500 towards the formation of a permanent fund, and Messrs. V. Radhakrishnaiya and M. Venkatasubba Rao who have been contributing a monthly subscription of Rs. 10, since the very beginning of our work, which liberal support went a good deal to overcome the initial difficulties which are incidental to such new efforts. The total receipts during the period amounted to Rs. 1860-1-4, and the disbursements to Rs. 1,194-1-5, leaving a balance of Rs. 665-15-11, out of which Rs. 600 has been placed in fixed deposit with the Bankers.

Constitution
After carrying on the work for over one year the Committee have come to the conclusion that nothing but a thoroughly organised society could cope with the magnitude of the work for which there is such a vast field in this Province, where the condition of the Depressed Classes is much worse than elsewhere in India. With this view the Committee have framed rules for giving a constitution to the Society and have thrown open the Membership to all who are interested in the well-being of these poor classes of our fellow-beings who form nearly a fifth of the total population of India.

Conclusion
Considering the vastness of the work to be done in this direction and the limited resources at their disposal the Committee cannot hope to attain any appreciable degree of success without the hearty co­operation of the public, who, they have no doubt, will fully sympathise with their efforts and that their appeal will not be in vain for pecuniary and other help which will be extended to them by those who have any idea of the work they are doing, and who are in a position to render the same.

Statement of Accounts of the Depressed Classes Mission Society, Madras, from the 19th February 1909 to the end of 30th November 1910
Table (To see the Statement click here)

Table (To See the  List of Donors and Subscribers click here)
8. MAHABLESHWAR                 Opened November 1910

Mr. V. R. Shinde during his visit to this station in May 1909 organized a Drawing Room Meeting at the Government House under the auspices of Lady Muir Mackenzie. Among those present were the Lord Bishop of Bombay, the Chiefs of Miraj and Aundh, Dr. Mackichan, Dr. Abbot, Mr. Damodardas Gowardhandas, Mr. H. A. Wadia, Major Jameson, the Superintendent of the Station, presided over the meeting. A branch of the Depressed Classes Mission was started with Mrs. C. E. Jameson as the Hon. Secretary and Treasurer. A fund which had been previously collected, about Rs. 900, for a similar purpose, was handed over to the Local Committee. About the end of the year, Mrs. Jameson published in the Times of India of December 22, 1909, a report of the work. It was as under :—

"Sir, — I should like, through the medium of your paper, to bring to the notice of the subscribers of the above Branch, the work that has been successfully started here at Mahableshwar. An Industrial School for the very poor men, women and children living on the hill was opened in the middle of November. There are altogether forty seven workers, a far greater number than was anticipated. Three teachers have been kindly sent to us from the American Mission at Sirur, and they are teaching tape weaving and rope making, both very simple industries, but this is necessary owing to the age of the people, the majority of them being too old and maimed for other work. These people seem very grateful to be able to earn a small livelihood, and I wish to thank again all those who have subscribed to the fund. I am sorry to have to say that the amount collected is in no way sufficient to carry on the work of such a large school. There are a great many expenses connected with the starting of a work of this kind, and I had hoped some of those who are so interested in it would have presented the school with the looms and other necessaries."

"Mr. Damodar Gowardhandas gave a handsome present of cotton yarn and hemp. Being so far from the railway, the cartage of material alone is expensive. Visitors to this hill complain greatly of the beggars and are desirous for work to be provided for them. I am very sanguine that the work which has been so successfully begun will eventually succeed in not only removing the begging nuisance, but establish a useful industry for the old and decrepit of these hills. For the first year at least it must necessarily be an expense with very little profit financially, and I trust that many of those who visit Mahableshwar will help to carry on the work by subscribing to it. Any subscriptions will be gratefully received and acknowledged by the Hon. Secretary and Treasurer (Mrs. Jameson).

The following is a list of subscriptions received this year up to date :- The Hon. Mr. Nowrojee Vakil Rs. 200; Mr. H. A. Wadia Rs. 100; Messrs. D. M. and N. M. Goculdas, Rs. 100; Mr. Cassamally J. Peerbhoy, Rs. 51; Mr. Sorabji Dadabhoy Dubash and Mr. Kawasji Dadabhoy Dubash, Rs. 51; The Lady Ali Shah, Rs. 50; Sir Vithaldas Thackersey, Rs. 50; Mr. Dhanjibhoy (Rawal Pindi), Rs. 50; Dr. J. Batliwalla, Rs. 50; Mr. and Mrs. J. Modi, Rs. 30; previously collected in 1905, Rs. 845.

The monthly expenditure at present is Rs. 200 roughly which will soon eat up the small existing capital. Of course the present large expenditure is only temporary until the work has been learnt by some of the local people, and then it is expected that the industry, after say a year, will be nearly self-supporting. Until then, I hope, I shall not appeal in vain to those who are possessed of this world’s riches, to help their fellow creatures to be of some use instead of an annoyance in the world."

Mrs. Jameson further reported in February 1910 :-

“I take in only deserving cases—very old and decrepit men, women, and a few widows and orphans. They all seem happy and grateful. The grown people receive 2 as a day and the girls and boys 1 anna 6 pies. They work from 8 to 11 and 2 to 5.”

Mrs. Jameson reported to the General Secretary in February, 1911, as follows :—

“I am glad to be able to report that the work at the above school is progressing favourably. There are now 34 regular attendants, and except for 8 orphan children, they are all old men and women, for whom the school was originally started. The chief industry is the making of ropes, for which there is a fair sale, and in a short time, I hope to monopolise the local rope trade. Before last rains an aloe plantation was started near Mahableshwar, but it will be another two years before we can use these plants for retracting fibre, and until then the expenses must be heavy.

Mrs. H. A. Wadia has very kindly promised a new building for the school, in memory of Lady Muir Mackenzie. It is hoped that it will be finished before the rains, as the rent of the present house occupied by the school, being Rs. 200 per annum, is too heavy for our small Industrial School."
C. E. Jameson, (Honorary Secretary)

9. MANGALORE                            Opened 1898
The Mission maintains the following Institutions :—
1. The Day School.
2. The Boarding House.
3. The Industrial Institute.
4. A Colony of Panchama Families.

The Day School — The school is one of the Primary Grade teaching up to the Fourth Standard which completes primary education, and is manned by three teachers two of whom are Panchamas. The pupils were divided into 5 classes viz. the Infant, I, II, III and IV. There were 50 boys and 12 girls on the roll in 1909 and 57 boys and 12 girls in 1910. The Sub-Assistant Inspector of Schools who examined the school, recorded the following remarks about the general condition of the school and The progress made by the pupils.

Annual Inspection 4-12-09

"The school is provided with a good building and is well equipped. The staff consists of two teachers one of whom is trained and the other has passed the 4th standard examination. The progress is satisfactory on the whole. More attention may be paid to writing. Kolattum and drill are taught well. In the lower classes seed placing, stick laying and paper folding and clay modelling are taught and some of the pupils of the higher classes take part in weaving. The singing and drawing of the boys are particularly satisfactory, all the pupils without any exception being Panchamas. The geography of the locality may be introduced in the 3rd and 4th classes under general knowledge and some games also in lower classes. Story telling and dramatising may be done in all the classes in future as explained now. The general condition of the school is very satisfactory and reflects much credit upon the management. I would recommend 25 p. c. more in the grant.”
(Sd.) N. KRISHNA RAO, B.A.
(Sub-Assistant Inspector of Schools)

Annual Inspection 3-12-10

“The accommodation and equipment of the school are sufficient. The teaching is on the whole satisfactory. Singing, occupations viz. clay modelling, paper cutting, seed placing and weaving and physical exercises such as native gymnastics may be pronounced to be good - Arithmetic, however, requires more attention in the 3rd and 4th classes. Considering that the school is attended by Panchamas only, I may say that very useful work is done here to elevate this backward and down­trodden class. The grant according to the scale comes to Rs. 110-10; but the manager who spends a lot of money upon the school and some of his energy in improving this community deserves something more.”
(Sd.) N. KRISHNA RAO (Sub-Assistant Inspector of Schools)

All pupils receive free education and are supplied also with books, stationery, dress and umbrellas. As the parents are extremely poor and the children come from different directions and from distant places, a mid-day meal is provided to the children in the school. Training in weaving, gardening and other manual labour is also given to the pupils. Moral and religious instruction of an undenominational character is given to the pupils by three gentlemen who do the work out of love for it. Exercises in singing and drill and lessons in hygiene are given by the class teachers themselves.

The Panchamas of this district who are a most degraded people bear very ugly names such as Pig, Cat, Rat, Thorny Fish, Flat Fish, Wild Dog, Barking Dog, Earth Worm, Centipode, &c. About 13 years ago, some time after our school was started in a Village near Mangalore, a change was introduced in the names of the Panchama children by giving them better names when they were admitted into our school. This reform seems to have had good effect on the community.

Our Daily Rice Fund — This fund was started by Mr. V. R. Shinde, B. A., General Secretary of the Depressed Classes Mission Society of India, at the time of his first visit to this station in 1907. 70 families — Hindu, Mahomedan and Christian were supplied with bags in which doles of rice were put by the ladies of the house twice a day. 19 young men undertook to visit these families once a week on Sundays to collect the rice and take it to the depot of the Mission. The number of bag-holding families as well as that of the rice collecting friends has since decreased. Four young men continue to do the work of collection as a pious duty. The total rice collected was 77 mooras and 13 seers. Over and above this quantity of rice, a cash expenditure of Rs. 367-2-5 was incurred for giving meals to the school children and the boarders.

The total cash expenditure incurred on account of the school and the boarders was Rs. 862-6-9 out of which Rs. 90 only was a grant from the Municipal Funds for the year 1909. The Grant for the year 1910 is expected to be paid to us in the course of the next month.  The aforesaid expenditure does not include the value of the rice collected from bag-holding families and other presents in kind as well as occasional dinners given by donors.

The Boarding House — This is an institution intended for grown up Panchama youths. The boarders live permanently in the school premises and are not allowed to go home without permission. They are forbidden liquor and smoking. Special attention is paid to give them training in habits of cleanliness and good manners. Moral and spiritual instruction is also given to them. This institution is maintained in the hope that these youths when discharged from it and permitted to return home might exercise a leavening influence amidst their community. We are glad to state that our experiment has been a success. The maximum number of youths admitted at one time is 8. Seventeen youths were admitted in the course of last two years of whom 9 were discharged. These youths work in the Industrial Department during their spare hours and serve as watchmen at night, in the premises.

The Industrial Institute — Weaving formed the main industry in the institute during the last two years. It is under the supervision of an expert Christian weaver. Out of 6 looms (fly shuttle), five are worked by Panchama youths who do gardening and other manual labour also. The Mysore Exhibition granted us Merit Certificates for our checks and bedsheets and the Secretary of the Lahore Exhibition informed us that a Merit Certificate for our stripped cloth has been granted to us. The total income was Rs. 3141-11-7 and expenditure Rs. 3579-4-6 respectively. At the end of the year 1909 there was cloth of the value of Rs. 1495-6-5 in stock. The cloth in stock at the end of 1910 has yet to be examined by the auditor.

Owing to the competition of the power looms of Manchester and Italy, there is not enough of encouragement to this industry. We could not therefore increase the number of looms. The six looms are maintained for the benefit of the Panchamas specially and the cloth is sold to them for cost price. Other industries will be started in due course as funds become available.

Eri Silk Culture—An Experiment was made in December last in Eri silk culture. A friend supplied us with some Eri silk worms got from the Government Agricultural Research Institute of Pusa. The experiment has been successful. The climate of this district seems to be suited for rearing the silk worms of this species and the castor plants the leaves of which are food for these insects which grow abundantly here. An advertisement has been set up in the local vernacular papers to popularise this industry and make it a cottage industry in this district if possible. The worms and the cocoons are kept in the premises of the institute for exhibition.

The Panchama Colony—The Panchamas of this district are, as class, day labourers living on other people's land in scattered miserable squat huts called Kels. They do not live as a compact body as their brethren do in Paracheries on the East Coast. Our Panchamas are an extremely miserable people who have become slaves to the passion of toddy drinking. Any slight attempt on their part to improve such as the wearing of a clean cloth or the holding of a cloth umbrella is construed by the other classes as impudence and invites bodily injury. The work of amelioration of these classes in our district has thus become very hard. Our fourteen years' experience has brought home to our minds that mere elementary education and even training in industries cannot go a great way to improve the condition of these people. We therefore divised the Colony scheme as the best means of improving their condition.

We have come to possess 26 acres of land which we are going to parcel out among the Panchama families on Mulageni  which is a kind of permanent tenure obtaining in this district whereby the tenant acquires a perpetual and hereditary right in the land that cannot be defeated by the land-lord at his will and pleasure. This scheme is calculated to bring together a large number of houseless Panchamas and to give them the strength of union and a consciousness that they have property of their own to love. It might also render easier our work of giving them education and training them in habits of economy, temperance and cleanliness or otherwise ameliorating their condition. The rent payable by these occupants will be a source of income to the Mission and will therefore go to benefit themselves. We have to build 60 homesteads and 15 wells, a school and a hospital, and a Home for the blind, the crippled and the infirm, who on account of their untouchability and extreme poverty are quite helpless and cannot freely resort to the philanthropic institutions started by the higher classes or by the Government.

 A generous hearted gentleman of the Bombay Presidency, on coming to know of our scheme made an anonimous grant of Rs.600, which gift came to us as a godsend. We purchased 7 1/2 acres of waste ground for Rs. 1,000 and the Government at the recommendation of our Collector, was pleased to give us about 18 acreas of land for the Purpose. The Collector also assigned 100 palmayra trees as charity on behalf of the Government. The District Board sanctioned a pucca well to be built at their cost for the use of the occupants. 26 houseless families have already come forward to occupy the land and 18 of them executed leases, 4 wells have been already completed. The scheme would have made progress had not the storm of May 1909 which was a general calamity on this coast, demolished three houses, blocked up one well and damaged the building of the school and the Industrial Institute.

The land has been at present divided into 6 blocks. It is proposed to dedicate one of them to Mrs. Annie Besant whose remarkable public utterances here on the importance of our humble work, during her visit to our institution importance early in 1909 and the testimony she bore our it in the Theosophist of February 1909 gave an impetus to the cause of the depressed. Another block will be dedicated to Khan Bahadur M. Azizuddin Saheb, our former Collector whose sympathy for our work brought us amongst other benefits, a benevolent gift of land by the Government. One of the biggest wells will be dedicated to Rao Saheb N. Sadashiva Pillay of Port Blair whose active sympathy with our depressed fellow beings popularised our movement in the Andamans and brought us large money help. Enormous money is required to push on the colony work and we confidently hope that it will come to us.

The total expenditure incurred on account of this scheme in the course of the last two years is Rs. 898-10-0.

The total income of the Mission during the said period from all sources is Rs. 5,314-15-6 and the expenditure Rs. 5,280-5-3.

Our accounts are being audited now. Fuller particulars of the working of the Mission as well as the list of donation received by us, will appear in our report which we hope to be able to issue shortly.

Dr. L. P. Fernandes of St. Mary's Pharmacy, Mangalore, not only gave us pecuniary help but also medicine to our children and staff, and paid them visits free of charge. The Committee is deeply grateful to him and other friends of the Mission.
K. RANGA RAO
(Secretary)
Court Hill, Mangalore,    
6th February 1911

10. MANMAD                        Opened 11th May 1907

Pupils — There is now at this centre a Day School with about 30 pupils — the daily average attendance being 20, and a Night School with 12 working youths, the daily average attendance being 5. There are two teachers for the Day School and one for the Night School. On every Sunday morning the boys meet for Bhajan and the Sunday Class.

The School Hut — A plot of ground 130 ft. by 100 ft. on the bank of the river was rented from Sardar Balasaheb Vinchurkar, who is the President of this centre, and a karvi  hut was erected in 1909, sufficiently large to accommodate 30 pupils, with a tiled roof. A well has been sunk in the north-eastern corner of this plot which has now fresh water. All this was done with the help of the school children out of their school hours.

Temperance and Cleanliness — The work of the Temperance League is going on well and the teachers continue as before to take all their pupils on every Wednesday and Sunday to the local river where the latter bathe, wash and swim.

Visits and Inspection — The Deputy Edl. Inspector of the District and also the Deputy Collector, R. S. Khopkar, visited this school last year and have recorded their satisfaction. Mr. V. R. Shinde, the General Secretary, visited this centre twice and sent Mr. L. Aidale who worked at this centre for more than a month, and Mr. G. A. Gawai who worked in this District of Nasik for about 6 months. I had to be absent in Belgaum nearly the whole of the last year and could leave behind no one to look after the work. But for the above help from the Head Quarters in Bombay, this centre would have been closed. I am very thankful for this help.

The Anniversary — The Third Anniversary of this centre was celebrated in May 1910, for three days, with great enthusiasm. A Pendal was erected for the purpose and was decorated with pictures and foliage. Every day Bhajan in the morning was followed by refreshments, games and amusements. Mr. Gawai, agent of the D. C. M. took part in these celebrations.

RECEIPTS/EXPENDITURE : 1909 and 1910
Table 1 (To see the statement click here)

11. SATARA                           Opened 1904
I have the honour to submit the following report giving a short history of the movement in Satara for the elevation of the depressed classes during the last decade and a brief account of the work done during the last two years. In the year 1898 certain Mahar military pensioners used to attend the weekly meetings held for divine service by the Satara Prarthana Samaj and their number was about 20. Gradually other Mahar brethren joined the Samaj. These latter were quite illiterate and it was therefore thought desirable to start a small institution and provide for the spread of primary education among them. This was accordingly done in 1902 and a small school was started and maintained by private subscriptions. Sometime after, through the efforts of Mr. R. R. Kale, Vice- President and Chairman of the School Committee of the Satara Municipality that body was induced to take charge of the school in the year 1904. From that year the municipality has maintained a Day School for the Depressed Classes. Most of the boys are Mahars and Mangs and the following figures will show the progress made by that school:—
Year     No. of boys   Year    No. of boys
1904       28                1908      41
1905       41                1909      51
1906       35                1910      57
1907       42
After the Day School was taken over by the Municipality a Night School was started for the grown up working class members of the Depressed Classes who could not attend the day-school owing to their being engaged in their daily occupations. The school was managed by the Satara Prarthana Samaj and Mr. S. Y. Javere, the Secretary of the Samaj succeeded in securing for it a Grant-in-aid four years ago. This school is maintained by private subscriptions and a Government grant. It must be noted here that the subscribers are very few including one or two Europeans. The progress of this night-school can be gathered from the following figures. Most of the boys are Mahars and Mangs.
Year    No. of boys    Year    No. of boys
1905        09              1908            18
1906        13              1909            21
1907        15              1910            27
This night-school was started under the auspices of the Local Prarthana Samaj and is called the Satara Prarthana Samaj Night-School. After the retirement of Mr. Javere who was the life and soul of this institution the school is managed by Mr. R. R. Kale who has all along taken an active and sympathetic interest in the institution and in the cause of the reform of the depressed classes generally. Last year and this year meetings were held in the Local Arthur Hall simultaneously with the meetings in Bombay, posters being published all over the town. They were fairly well attended all sitting together without any distinction of the untouchables, the last meeting being addressed in particular by Mr. G. K. Devadhar of the Servants of the India Society. In April 1910 a large gathering of the boys was assembled in the Arthur Hall when Mr. C. E. Palmer gave away books and clothes to the boys in the presence of a respectable audience. In November 1909 His Excellency the Governor was kind enough to visit the school when he expressed himself satisfied with the progress of the institution and was graciously pleased to give a handsome donation of Rs. 200 to be applied towards the distribution of clothes and books to the boys. In April 1910 the Hon. Mr. Morrison who was then Commissioner of the Central Division was kind enough to pay a visit to the school and he gave a liberal donation of Rs. 30. Mr. G. C. Whitworth, formerly Sessions Judge, Satara, who is now in England has also sent a cheque for Rs. 50.

In May last Mr. Naik of Bombay came here with a view to have these schools affiliated to the D.C.M. Society of India when he gave a discourse to the boys of the two schools and Mr. R. R. Kale distributed sweetmeats to the boys in connection with the Thread Ceremony of his son.

The most noteworthy event during the past year was an educational conference planned and arranged by members of the low caste community themselves. This meeting was held on the 16th January 1911, the death anniversary of
Mr. Justice Ranade and was presided over by Mr. R. R. Kale, Government Pleader. That the low caste community has begun to understand the value of self-reliance and self- help is clear from the fact that donations to the extent of Rs. 25 and monthly subscriptions of Rs. 6-6 were subscribed by the members of the community, on the spot. This meeting was addressed by Rao Bahadur Pathak, Mr. Ghanekar, pleader and Mr. Devadhar of the local N. E. School and three representatives of the low caste community viz. Mr. Shripati Chandati, Mr. Dhor Master and Mr. Krishnaji Hari of Karhad. The business of the conference came to a close by the appointment of a committee of ten representatives of the low caste community with a helpers committee from the high caste community to discuss and arrange the programme of the work of the conference and by the closing speech of the Chairman.

Another move in the direction of improving the condition of the depressed classes is the formation of a Co-operative Bank of the local sweepers on the 28th of September 1909 mainly by the praise worthy efforts of Mr. V. G. Chirmule, Pleader, the Chairman of the Local Municipality assisted by Mr. Kale, Dossabhoy Manekji and others. The Bhangees were in debt over head and shoulder so much so that every month ¾ of their pay nearly went to satisfy their creditors. These were no other than the Pathan Sowkars who charge very exorbitant interest
and who used to be present at pay time in the Municipal Office and seize the money as soon as it fell, into the hands of the Bhangees. This had reduced the Bhangees to beggary and hence it was that a few individuals came forward to advance money to settle their debts with the Pathan creditors and after the Society was formed they were able to pay off the debts of about 20 members of the Society amounting to more than Rs. 500 and they have today a balance of upwards of Rs. 200 in their Bank. The bank is managed by a Committee of sweepers themselves with an advisary board and their condition is gradually being improved, one notable feature of the improvement being the abstinence Irom intoxicating liquors among a large majority of the sweeper community of Satara.
Such in brief is the nature of the work that is being done in Satara and it is hoped that the work will spread in course of times when funds are collected.
R. R. KALE
(Hon. Secretary)

12. THANA    Opened 17th October 1909

Report of the Branch of the Depressed Classes Mission Society at Thana, from its establishment up to the end of December 1910
(REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1909)

The Branch of the Depressed Classes Mission Society was opened with the object of improving the Moral and Social status of the low-castes living in the town of Thana.

An inaugural meeting was held on the 17th Oct. 1909 in the Maidan opposite to the District Court, Thana.

The meeting was graced by some of the leading Prabhu gentlemen, when all the classes mingled freely with each other. About 200 men from the low caste community were present on the occasion. The object of the Mission was explained to the low caste community by Mr. Padhye, B.A., LL. B., as to the advantage of education placed at their disposal by the local Municipality.

Among other speakers were Messrs. B. H. Shringarpure, Sule, Sindhkar, R. B. Gupte and Deshmukh.

To carry out the work of improving the condition of the Depressed Masses, the following Committee was appointed
Chairman
Mr. P. V. Gupte, Retired Judge of the Small Causes Court, Poona.

Secretaries and Treasurer
Mr. R. B. Gupte, B.A., LLB.
Mr. K. A. Padhye, B.A., LL.B.
Mr. Suntoji Ramji Lad, Secretary and Teasurer

Members
Mr. B. H. Shringarpure, B.A., LL.B.
Mr. R. A. Sule
Mr. Munshi Fazal Ali
Subhedar Janojee Bhagoji Dewalker Subhedar
Mr. Luxumanjee Havildar Balaram Dewalker

As there is a separate Low Caste School established by the Municipality in the town, the Working Committee decided in the first instance to visit the School. In 1909 the School was visited by the Mission Committee members 4 times. On the 1st visit to the School they found 8 boys on the Muster Roll, while only 3 were present in the School. The Committee on its first visit to the School found the teacher greatly unwilling to mix with his pupils on account of religious scruples. This matter was represented to the Municipal School Board Committee, who had to change two teachers. The last teacher was found to be willing, who took interest in his pupils’ education. The School teaches 3 Vernacular Standards in 1909 twice sweetmeats were distributed to the pupils and once clothing. Several times at leisure the members of the Committee visited the low caste locality and pursuaded the parents to send their children to School. Since then the attendance and number of pupils have been improving.

In December 1909, a letter was addressed to the Government for improving the condition of the low castes. Copy of the letter with its reply from the Government is hereto appended.
Statement of Income and Expenditure for 1909
Table  (For see the PDF click here)
REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1910
The School was visited 8 times by the Committee members during the year.

The number of pupils has increased from 8 to 32 during this year; in this number there are six girls attending the school.

The Municipality has been awarding scholarships from the month of July 1910 to the pupils attending the School regularly 15 days in a month at the following rates

3rd Standard pupils 4 annas a month.
2nd    do    3    do
1st     do    2    do

The Working Committee has sent in proposals to the Municipality for opening a Night School for labourers who cannot avail themselves to attend the School during the day; also permission has been asked by the Working Committee to impart moral instruction to the pupils in the School
building during recess hours.

During the year under report clothing was distributed to the pupils and also sweets were distributed.

The Working Committee has sent in through the Collector of Thana a letter of condolence to be forwarded to Mrs. Jackson in her sad bereavement, as the late Mr. Jackson was the President of the Depressed Classes Mission Society at Nasik.

The sudden death of the late King Emperor Edward VII the Peace Maker was a blow to the whole civilized world and the Committee of the Mission paid their humble tribute to the memory of His Majesty in another letter to Government

Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for 1910
Table  (To see the Statement of Receipts and Expenditure click here)
A meeting was convened by the Working Committee of the Mission on the 27th November 1910, in the Kreedabhuwan under the Presidentship of Mr. C. E. Palmer, I C. S., District Judge, who distributed prizes to the students in the shape of clothes, books and sweetmeats. In his presidential address, Mr. Palmer exhorted the Mission to see that even physical education of the students was not being neglected, and instanced the case of Satara, where the Mission Centre was doing useful work.
SUNTOJI RAMJI LAD

(Secretary and Treasure)
Bombay Road, Thana,
7th February 1911.
The Associated Body
13. KOLHAPUR         Open 14th February 1908

The Society for the Promotion of Education among the Depressed Classes, Kolhapur

Committee
Rao Bahadur Raghunath Venkaji Subnis (President)
Rao Saheb Bhaskarrao Jadhav (Chairman)
Prof. Mahadeo G. Dongre, B. Sc., L. C. E.
Prof. Annappa B. Latthe, M. A.
Mr. Yusuff Abdul Shekh. B. A.
Mr. Datto Damodar Sontakke, B. A., LL.B.
Mr. Yeshawant K. Dilwar.
Mr. Virbasav S. Shresti, B. A.
Mr. Anant Balkrishna Oalkar, B. A. (Secretary)
Mr. Ganpat Krishanji Kadam, Vakil (Secretary)
Mr. Vinayak Sadashiv Tengshe, M. D. (Auditor)

A meeting of the sympathisers of the Depressed Classes was held in the Jain Boarding House at Kolhapur on the 9th February 1908 in which it was resolved to start a Society of the above name. The 1st General Meeting of this Society met on the 14th of February 1908 in which the constitution of the Society was laid down. The number of members which was 57 in 1908 is now more than 75.

Miss Violet Clarke Hostel
In this city there are Hostels for the Maratha, Jain, Lingayat and Mahomedan students; and the Society thought it desirable to open one for the Depressed Classes students, which was badly needed. H. H. Shahu Chhatrapati most graciously granted the free use of a commodious building and a permanent grant of Rs. 25 per month, towards the Maintenance of this hostel which was named after the late Miss Violet Clarke, daughter of His Excellency Sir George Clarke, Governor of Bombay and a great sympathiser of the Depressed Classes. There are at present 15 boarders in this Hostel maintained at the cost of the Society and are all learning English. They attend the local English School and are looked after by a special teacher who coaches them up in a class held in the Hostel.

The Society was represented by. R. S. Bhaskarrao Jadhav, Prof. Dongre, Prof. Latthe and Mr. G. K. Kadam, in the conference held in Bombay in 1909 under the auspices of the D. C. M. Society of India in behalf of the Depressed Classes.

Public Meetings
A public meeting was held in honour of Sir John Muir Mackenzie and Dr. Harold H. Mann on 25th November 1909 and a Prize Distribution was held on the 7th of March 1910 when Major Wodehouse, the Political Agent, presided and gave away prizes to the students of the Society.

Work in the Moffussil
The Committee is glad to note that a new Society called “The Shahu Society for the Elevation of the Depressed Classes” has been started at Pattankudi in the Petta of Gadinglaza mainly by the efforts of Mr. Tatya Narangouda and Mr. Malhar Narayen Moozumdar. About 20 boys and girls are now attending the local school, with the encouragement afforded by this Society. Prizes were distributed to them by R. B. R. V. Khedkar, F. R. C. S., at a ceremony held on 21st December 1909.

G. K. KADAM,
(Hon. Secretary)
Rankal Ves, Kolhapur,cFeb. 1911.

Elevation of the depressed classes*
(By Mr. V. R. Shinde, B.A.)
Although the elevation off the so-called last-born classed in India is one of the avowed items of the Social Reform propaganda and the problem receives an honourable mention on the radical platforms — at times even stirring harangues, yet in the name of Truth it must be confessed that it is one which has so long received the least or no real effort. Even the sincerest Social Reformer has not yet done more than bestow a few precious tears of sympathy on these forlorn human communities. The Christian Missionaries — God bless them — have done and are doing a stupendous and noble work in this respect. The British Government, for reasons best known to themselves, have till now stolidly adhered to their once settled attitude of easy neutrality or benign passivity which alas, of late is degenerating into less commendable forms. Apart from these two foreign sources of salvation for these unfortunate classes, I know only two native agencies struggling for their good. If there is any one individual who has done most for these people it is, in my opinion.

HIS HIGHNESS SAYAJIRAO GAIKAWAD
Nearly two years ago, when I visited Baroda and paid my respects the Maharaja, His Highness desired me to inspect specially the low caste day-schools in the City. I readily visited four boys' schools and one girls' school. I was thoroughly satisfied with the work of the schools so far as it went. I dare say in no other city of equal size and population, in this presidency or in this country for that matter, are there so many day-schools so well attended and so well supported. But here too and more than any where else, I witnessed the limitations of doing good to these people. No sooner the pupils finished their Marathi fifth and English second or third standard they would quietly cease to attend the school, since apparently they had no prospects for their hard earned acquirements, unless they could be admitted into the body of Hindu Society and offered equal chance of employments which was impossible. Unlimited philanthropy in this respect was incompatible with strict Hinduism and thus with all the unbounded charity and royal power of   His Highness the schools could not rise above the mere primary standards. I actually saw some Mahar youths that had passed their sixth Marathi standard loafing about in the streets for want of suitable employments. If the new-fangled blessings of education had done any change in these lads, it was that they had cultivated a distaste for their old unenviable work and had preferred a temporary though honourable idleness. In a place like Bombay the situation might be different, but there it is simply pathetic; and as His highness condescended to ask my opinion I had to observe that unless some prospects were opened for such boys not only the growth but even the continuance of the schools would be a matter of doubt. A few months after, I read in the papers of the generous offer by his Highness of handsome scholarships for the low-caste boys in the higher standards as well as in the colleges. The next agency that is making for the amelioration of these classes, although in a very humble way is
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(*Subodhpatrika, 17. 24 and 31 December 1905.)
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THE PRARTHANA SAMAJ
Of the seven night schools conducted by the Bombay Samaj two are mainly for the depressed classes. A generous donor has offered to help them to open two more. The limitations that are hampering the progress of the good work in Baroda are no longer obstacles in the way of the Samaj, but their finances of course are not as unlimited. In this respect the names of Mr. S. Y. Javere and Mr. B. R. Kale, b.a .ll.b. of the Satara Prarthana Samaj are worthy of special mention. They not only tried hard and got the local Municipality to open a day-school for the low caste boys but are conducting under the auspices of the local Samaj a night- school for the adult working people of the same classes, and are also actually elevating to the membership of the Samaj fit persons from among these out-castes, thus finally restoring them to their rightful place from which they were mysteriously dislodged in the loom of the dark ages. In Poona, by the sturdy efforts by the late Mr. Jotiba Fule, two day-schools were started for the low caste boys which have since been owned by the Municipality. The Poona Prarthana Samaj has since last April started two night-schools one of which is for the low castes. The Ahmednagar Prarthana Samaj too about the same time has opened a night-school for the low castes and another for other working people.

SELF-HELP AMONG THE DEPRESSED CLASSES
Such are the very weak and incomplete efforts by the so-called higher classes for the raising of the depressed ones. With all their deliberations and emotions, the actual efforts put forth are egregiously disproportionate to the real vastness of the work. The resources, the energy and the dogged faith of the Christian missionaries alone has had any perceptible results in this field. Nor even the direct achievements of the Christian missions, however mighty they be in themselves, are ever in their distant possibility likely to completely counteract this time old process of depression of such a large portion of humanity. But, be it confessed by all sensible people, the indirect effects of the missionary work can be detected in the faint spirit of self-help that is now gradually emerging out of the long death­like torpor of these down-trodden races. Of the so-called last-born classes the Mahars seem to be an intelligent and honest race. They populate mostly on the Central Maharashtra between Ahmednagar and Nagpur. The work of the Christian mission again is concentrated in this part. Ahmednagar might be considered as their head quarters. Nearly one-fifth of the population of that city is Christians and no doubt nine-tenths of these converts originally came from the depressed classes in the district. Yet there are vast numbers of these classes still holding out bravely against the irresistible allurements of the missionaries, calmly bearing the innumerable insults of the earth below and the adversities of the heavens above. A Mahar teacher in the night-school of Ahmadnagar Prarthana Samaj told us that a big Mahomedan official once asked him wonderingly why it was that his caste people were so foolish to refuse to embrace Christianity which ever so much would better their condition. On my asking what reply he made, he said, "Sir, if I follow after the neighboring ramoshi you will see me bedecked with gold and gems." The man's logic might be far from perfect, but nothing can be more perfect than his loyalty to his lot, his self-respect and self-dependence. This same man takes a leading part in the Social Reform Association of his community recently formed in Ahmednagar. Although Hinduism does not at all deserve the sturdy loyalty of these people, yet the material betterment of their so many brothers, who are now converts to Christianity but were only a while ago their very kith and kin cannot but react on these non-converts and incite them to self-help which is after all the only efficient means of the salvation of a people. Consequently, in several places there are very encouraging instances of effort being made by the depressed classes for this self-elevation.
The Mohapa Low-Caste Association, is I think the first of the reform movements amongst these people inspired with the spirit of self-help. The society according to the information received from the Secretary was started about two years ago in the village of Mohapa, near Nagpore, at the initiative of a Maratha gentleman, and is since silently doing the work of self-improvement by means of lectures and discussions as well as fortnightly meetings for the purpose of religious reading and singing. At present it consists of about 25 avowed members, is propagating its cause by distributing broadcast the printed copies of its object and rules, sending appeals to the several centres of that community in the province. Personal and social morality individual and domestic cleanliness, forbearance from drink and flesh of dead animals and from such other practices that are repulsive to the higher castes, attendance at the religious meetings, interdining among the sub-castes are among the several injunctions. The Secretary, Mr. Kisan Fagu, is a Marathi educated hard-working young man and he also works as a voluntary missionary of the society. Having entered into correspondence with the Postal Mission of the Bombay Prarthana Samaj, he was deputed by the society to attend the last Anniversary of the Samaj with a view to study that movement and was very favourably impressed on the occasion. The hopeful spirit of self-help is steadily spread among these people. I witnessed similar movement on a larger scale in Ahmednagar.

The Somawanshiya Hitachintak Mandali was first started at the village Bhingar in the vicinity of Ahmednagar, on the 10th June last. While on mission tour in that city, I had the pleasure of being invited to address the second monthly meeting of the Association. The meeting assembled in a humble yet neat-looking courtyard in the outskirts of the village at about mid-night; for that was the only suitable time as almost all the members had to work hard till late in the evening for an honest livelihood. And yet to my great astonishment I was ushered into a very orderly and attentive audience of about two hundred souls, including some women, not one of whom betrayed any sign or complaint against the age-long depression they had been victims to. Before I began my address on the message of Brahmoism to the depressed ones, I was requested to read out and explain to the audience the printed rules and appeal of the Mohapa Association. Throughout the occasion I felt a weird never-to-be-forgotten interest for the unaided, unnoticed and altogether pathetic aspirations of this struggling fraternity.

In my last visit to the Association a month ago, I marked a rapid and distinct progress. The monthly meetings had been changed into fortnightly ones and instead of confining them to one place were held in turns in the different quarters so as to comprise the whole neighborhoods. Among other rules that had been unanimously framed before and were then read out to the meeting, one that specially touched me was a strict injunction that a member should never indulge in the censure of or useless complaints against the treatment by the higher castes. There was also a rule as to sending children to school as far as possible. The local Municipality had been repeatedly applied to for a special school for the neighborhoods and they hoped to get one soon. A small library and reading room for the Association was proposed. This time I had the pleasure of addressing at this late hour about 300 people including about 70 women. I cannot help mentioning here two very hopeful features of this reform movement, viz., the old and very orthodox- looking section of the community has seen heartily co-operating with the new fashioned younger generation, that betrayed in their dress and manners the unmistakable marks of contact with the Christian missionaries, Anglo Indian masters, as well as of the scanty modern education that had fallen to their share. Secondly, the movement was gaining strength by being successfully connected with old religious association as far as it is consistent with new aspirations. I counted myself seven grey haired sires of the Mahar community who were patels in the neighboring villages and were devout Warkaris of Pandharpur, as enthusiastically partaking in the Bhajan as in the organization and administration of the Association. I could not help feeling the force of contrast of these features to those in the familiar movement of the so-called higher castes. There is another similar Association of Mahars in the city of Nagar itself. The next midnight, I had to address another meeting of about 200 people organized by this Association. The movement is spreading to Poona and Satara. What a field for the Social Reformer and the Brahmo missionary!

Thus I have tried to review briefly from what little I know, the result of both philanthropy and self-help in this great work of elevation of the depressed classes. If each of these will operate in conscious or unconscious isolation from the other, as it has been the case so long, both will perhaps cease to work out of mere exhaustion. It is for the Social Reform Association and the Prarthana Samaj to devise means to bring both these new forces into a happy and efficient co-operation. These movements of self-help, with all their promise, are yet very new. It is very likely that they may flag away when the flush of novelty wears down. And then it would be too late for any Association or Samaj to enter on the field.

*11. BRAHMO SAMAJ, THE DEPRESSED CLASSES, UNTOUCHABILITY AND Shre V. R. Shinde's Work

1. Introduction

The lofty ideal that inspired Rammohun Roy, the first and foremost thinker of modern India, in founding the Brahmo Samaj, was the great vision of a united, free, and theistic India. But while seeking his inspiration from the philosophical and religious works of ancient India, particularly the Vedanta, he was never obsessed by the Vedantic doctrines of Maya (illusion) and Karma (effect of deeds on future birth). Deeply versed in the ancient traditions, he rose above the prevailing pessimistic view of life, and deprecated the callousness with which social inequalities were viewed by his contemporaries. One of the pet sayings of Rammohun was, "Beradar (brother), Beradar (brother), the service of Man is the service of God." Almost echoing Jesus Christ, the great lover of humanity, he used to say, "If you cannot love and serve man, whom you see, how can you love and serve God, whom you do not see? As a consequence, all men who came under the influence of the Samaj took up social service as a part of their religious devotion. Every domain of social reform, whether it be the abolition of caste, or the uplift of the depressed classes, or the education and emancipation of women, or the discontinuance of child marriages, or the introduction of widow remarriages, came within the scope and formed a necessary part of the programme of the Brahmo Samaj.
Ever since its foundation, the Brahmo Samaj has kept before itself the ideal of brotherhood of man. The Brahmos are not satisfied with the mere removal of untouchability, nor even with the uplift of the backward classes, which is a much more important and arduous task;  but they have from the beginning directed their energy towards exterminating the root of the evil, viz. the caste system, which has brought about this unnatural degradation of a large number of people. Untouchability is more or less the manifestation of this greater evil, the caste notion, — the attitude of mind that looks upon. Man as not one but many, born high or low as the result of Karma in another life, and destined through life to remain as such. Setting its face against this inhuman mental attitude, the motto that the Brahmo Samaj has always followed is, Ek Dharma (one religion), Ek Jati (one caste) and Ek Bhagavan (one God). The traditional Hindu attitude towards the lower classes is well expressed by a Sanskrit verse, — Papayonayah striyo vaisya statha sudrah, — (these are of sinful origin, women, vaisyas and sudras). The great Keshub Chunder Sen, the third apostle of the Brahmo Samaj, while leading a choral procession through the streets of Calcutta in the year 1868, proclaimed in no uncertain voice the basic equality of man in a Bengali Hymn which is now regarded as the embodiment of an essential truth of the Brahmo belief :-
"Nara nari sadharaner saman adhikar,
Jar achhe Bhaktl pabe mukti, nahi jat-bichar."

(All men and women, without exception, have equal rights. One who has bhakti, i.e. devotion to God, will attain salvation. There is no distinction of caste.)

The hereditary caste System in India has been productive of many social evils. It has given undue pre-eminence to the priestly class, leading to all the evils of unrestrained sacerdotalism; it has degraded the lower ranks of society; it has divided and subdivided the Hindus of the country, till all feeling of the unity of race is almost dead.

We learn from Pandit Sivanath Sastri, the greatest leader and minister of the Sadharan Brahmo Samaj, that from an early period of the history of the Brahmo Church, i.e. from 1860, there have been vigorous efforts to break the tyranny of caste. From that time the younger generation of Brahmos under the leadership of Keshub Chunder Sen openly and scrupulously discarded everything associated with caste. The Brahmans among them abjured the caste notion by burning their sacred thread, others by contracting marriages with women of different castes. Not only were anuloma forms of inter-caste marriage (i.e. those in which the bride was of a lower caste) celebrated, but these early reformers did not hesitate to perform numerous pratiloma marriages (i.e. those in which the bridegroom was of a lower caste.) Some of these marriages were between parties that could not ordinarily even touch each other for fear of ceremonial pollution. Though bitterly persecuted, the Brahmo Samaj never abated its zeal in this direction in its history of a century. To the Brahmos, therefore, social equality is not merely a policy adopted under the stress of circumstances, but a creed, an essential part of their religious practice.

The Brahmo Samaj has been maligned by those whose vested interests have been subverted by its rigorous anti-caste propaganda. Sometimes, alas, it has been misunderstood even by those whose amelioration and uplift have been so much its concern. For untold generations our unfortunate countrymen of the backward classes have been so contemptuously treated by the upper classes, that when the work of social uplift was inaugurated amongst them by the sons and daughters of those who had hitherto kept them under their heel, they could not for a time appreciate their noble attempts, and looked upon them with suspicion.

On the other hand, some detractors of the Brahmo Samaj used to say that its work was confined among the educated classes only. For a time, indeed, Brahmos were repeatedly baffled in their efforts to reach the unenlightened masses. But during the three decades and more of the twentieth century, God has blessed their perseverance with an amount of success, for which they have ample reasons to be thankful. We propose to give our readers an account of both their unsuccessful and successful attempts.

As the sufferings of the depressed classes are most intense in Southern India, and as untouchability is prevalent there in its most severe form, we propose to deal first with Mr. V. R. Shinde's work in those parts.

Shree V. R. Shinde's Work
The Depressed Classes Mission Society of India

During the early years of the first decade of this century, the attention of Mr. V. R. Shinde, who was then a Missionary of the Bombay Prarthana Samaj, was drawn by certain efforts at advancement put forth by a few members of a depressed class, who had happened to come under his influence as a missionary. He then set himself to a special study of the problem of the uplift of such communities, and came to the conclusion that what was needed was not mere machinery of education, but an organisation in which the personal element would enliven the whole, and which would at once develop and reform the traditions and the religious and social life of those people.

In October 1906 the late Mr. D. G. Sukhadwala, Vice-President of the Bombay Prarthana Samaj, gave one thousand rupees as an initial contribution towards the funds of such a Mission, and forthwith Sir Narayan Chandavarkar, President of the Samaj, was invited to inaugurate the Mission by opening its first school at Parel on the 18th of that month.

In September, 1908, the Mission received from H. E. Sir George Clarke, then Governor of Bombay, Rs. 3467-13-6 as the proceeds of a concert given in aid of the Mission by Miss Clarke. In 1912 the Trustees ot the estates of the late Mr. N. M. Wadia gave an annual grant of Rs. 6000 for three years ending in December 1914, which enabled the Mission to develop its Free Boarding Institutions and Technical Schools. A princely gift in 1913 of Rs. 20,000 from H. H. Maharaja Sir Tukoji Rao Holkar of Indore resulted in a scheme of a Home at Poona.

The Society is now an independent body seeking to promote the interests of the Depressed classes in the whole of India as far as opportunity and finances allow.

The Society had, till 1924, several incorporated branches under it, and a large number of affiliated centres throughout the country, with over 70 educational institutions. The total annual expenditure of the Society was then considerably over Rs. 30,000. Besides the headquarters in the city of Bombay, there were the following incorporated branches :— Poona (Maharashtra Branch), Nagpur (Central Provinces Branch), Hubli (Karnatak Branch), Bangalore (Tamil Branch). Since then the Hubli Branch has been closed.

The largest Centre of the Mission is at Poona with the following institutions — (1) The Central Primary and English Boys’ School, (2) The Debate and Sports Club, (3) The Bhajan Samaj and Sunday Classes, (4) V. R. Shinde Free Reading Room, (5) Tailoring, Carpentry and Painting Classes, (6) Bhangi Hatti Feeder School, (7) The Students' Hostel, (8) The Ahalyashram Girls’ School, (9) The Ahalyashram Night School, (10) Dr. Khedkar Free Medical Dispensary, (11) The 9th Poona City Shahu B. S. Troop, (12) The Weekly Sangat Sabha.

Besides these institutions, the offices of the Deccan Adi-Hindu Social Club, The Adi Hindu newspaper, and the Anti-untouchability Conferences are located in the Ashram of the Mission.

The Report of the Poona Branch for the three years ending on 31st March 1926 had the following para about its origin :-

“Without initial funds, with scanty promises of pecuniary help, many of which were not fulfilled, but with strong faith that God would help, a Day School was opened in a rented upper story of a Marwari’s house, in the Centre Street of Poona Camp on 22nd June 1908. If we look back to the last seventy years we can find that in the early sixties of last century a band of men charitably disposed towards the Depressed classes, with the late Mr. Jotirao Phule, the founder of the Satya-Shodhak Samaj, and its most active members, had started a school for the Depressed classes of Poona. So far as we could find out after much careful investigation, it can be stated that this was perhaps the first school of its kind in India, the seed as it were, of our present Society. Out of the area of about 10 acres, now in our possession, 7 acres originally belonged to this School."

New Buildings opened in 1924 —The following new buildings were opened by His Excellency the Right Honourable Sir Leslie Wilson, Governor of Bombay, on the 28th October, 1924, the foundation having been laid in 1921 by H. H. Sir Shri Kantirava Narasimharaj Wadiar Bahadur, G.C.I.E., Yuvaraja of Mysore.
Table 1 (To see the table click here.)

The total Government grant received on account of these buildings was Rs. 87,118, the Mission having spent Rs. 25,197-8-0 from its own funds.

The Progress attained by the Depressed classes — The following is an extract from the Annual Report of the Poona Branch, submitted on the 5th September, 1921 by Rev. V. R. Shinde, the General Secretary, and adopted by the Committee — "Perhaps the Mission will reach a stage much sooner than supposed in these days of rapid development, when it may cease as a Mission, and continue as an Association of the Depressed classes for self-amelioration.”

It is a happy sign that the local Depressed classes workers, especially of the Adi-Hindu Mahar Community, are trying to help the Mission by their own humble personal services as well as resources.

The first D. C. M. Graduate — The first graduate of this Mission is Mr. Maruti Kalugi Jadhav, who passed his B. A. Examination with second class Honours in Sanskrit in 1925 through the New Poona College. Mr. Jadhav had been a Hostel student of the Mission at Bombay and Poona for a number of years. Side by side with his studies for the M.A. Examination, he took up part-time teaching work in the Poona Mission Central School on a very moderate salary.

 

Spiritual and Social Activities — Under the guidance of its president, Rev. V. R. Shinde, the Spiritual Work Committee of the Mission tries to serve the Depressed classes spiritually. Daily Prayers, Thursday Night Sangat Sabha, Gita classes, Sunday Divine Services, and Women's weekly meetings are regularly held. Anniversary Days of Buddhadeva, Raja Rammohun Ray, Mahatma Jotirao Phule, Akbar, Shivaji and Shahu Maharaj, Devi Ahalyabai, Sant Chokha Mela, Namdeo and others are observed.

All India Anti-untouchability Conferences

Since the very beginning of the Mission, along with its educational and other constructive work, the founder Mr. V. R. Shinde trained up a band of wholly devoted workers as well as part-time volunteers for the sacred cause of the removal of untouchability, and with their help organised a vigorous propaganda. He attended nearly every session of the Indian National Congress throughout India with a view to promoting the Anti-untouchability movement. The following are the sessions of the All India Anti-untouchability Conferences, which were organized by him with great success :—
Table 2 (To see the table click here.)

The following are the sessions of the Bombay Provincial Anti-untouchability Conferences which were organised by the Society :-

1912	Poona	Dr. Sir R. G. Bhandarkar
1918	Bijapore	Hon'ble Mr. B. S. Kamat
1919	Sholapur	Hon'ble D. V. Belvi
1923	Poona	Khan Bahadur D. B. Cooper
1926	Poona	Mr. K.G. Bagade
1931	Ratnagiri	Mr. vinayakrao savarkar, Bar at Law

All India Anti-untouchability League

Being encouraged with the success achieved in the experiment of the Anti-untouchability movement, Mr. Shinde was emboldened in founding the All India Anti-untouchability League in Poona, and for the first time in the history of the Indian Social Reform movement, the following resolution was passed unanimously in the All India Anti-untouchability Conference held in Bombay in 1918 under the Presidentship of H. H. Sir Shri Sayajirao Gaikwad, Maharaja of Baroda :-

 

“This Conference is of opinion that the condition of untouchability imposed upon the depressed classes in India ought forthwith to be abolished, and for this purpose calls upon influential and representative leaders of thought and action in every province to issue a manifesto abolishing such untouchability and enabling these classes to have free and unrestricted access to public institutions, such as schools, dispensaries, courts of justice, &c., conducted for the public benefit and at public expense, and also to public places such as wells, springs, reservoirs, municipal stand-pipes, burning and bathing ghats, places of amusement, business, and worship, &c. &c."

Proposed by Mr. M. R. Jayakar, Bar-at-Law, Bombay.
Seconded by Mr. Lakshmidas R. Tairsee of Bombay.
Supported by Pandit Balkrishna Sharma of Baroda and Prof. G. C. Bhate of Poona.

All India Anti-untouchability Manifesto With a view to giv'n9 practical effect to the above resolution, an All India Anti-untouchability Manifesto signed by thousands of influential people from all provinces of India was issued through the efforts of Mr. Shinde.

Congress and Untouchability

After strenuous endeavours for ten years, Mr. Shinde eventually succeeded in getting the Indian National Congress in its session a Calcutta in December 1917 under the sympathetic presidentship of Mrs. Beasant, to pass, for the first time, the following important resolution :-

"This Congress urges upon the people of India the necessity, justice, and righteousness of removing all disabilities imposed upon the Depressed dasses, the disabilities being of a most vexatious and oppressive character, subjecting these people to considerable hardship and inconvenience."
Proposed by Mr. G. A. Natesan of Madras.
Seconded by Mr. S. R. Bomanji of Calcutta.

Supported by Mr. S. K. Damle of Poona, and Mr. Rama Ayyar of Calicut.

Carried unanimously
Mr. Shinde further succeeded in drawing the attention of Mahatma Gandhi to this problem in the session of the Congress held at Nagpur in 1920, and in the very next session at Ahmedabad, Mahatmaji incorporated the issue of removing untouchability as an essential plank of the Congress propaganda.

APPENDIX A

THE DEPRESSED CLASSES MISSION SOCIETY
Middle School, Parel

(REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1908)

Situation — This School was originally opened at Parel, in the Morarji Walji’s Bungalow near the Elphinstone Road Station, on October 18th, 1906, in the interest of the children of the depressed classes. It was thence transferred first to a chawl near the Globe Mill and afterwards to its present habitation opposite the Elphinstone Road station in November 1907.

Admissions & c — The school opened in January 1908 with 123 pupils on the roll of whom 18 were girls. In the course of the year no fewer than 335 new admissions were made, thus bringing the total on the register to 458. Of these 294 left the school, leaving thus 164 pupils on roll on the 31st December 1908. Of this number 65 belong to the touchable and higher classes and 99 to the depressed ones. The number of girls on roll at the end of the year was 23. The average daily attendance for the whole year was 101.

4. Range of Education given — In last June English was begun to be taught in the school, thus making it a middle school teaching up to English Fourth Standard. Besides the education imparted in the usual subjects of the curriculum of studies the school teaches book binding, to the advanced pupils; Sewing is taught to girls and drawing is a compulsory subject in the upper standards. Physical education is carefully attended to, provision being made for drill and cricket, in both of which the students take active interest. I have to express my sincere thanks in this connection to Mr. Madhav Ramji Khedekar and Mr. Ambaji Marayya for the honorary service they render in teaching drill to all the Classes of the School.

5. The Annual Transference Examination of the School was held just before the Divali holidays, in October. Altogether 147 pupils were Presented for the examination. Of them 119 passed under all heads.

The examination was conducted by Mr. Moro Prabhakar Khare, Head Master of Municipal School at Worlee with the help of his Assistants. To all of them I beg to express my sincere thanks.

6. The annual Inspection — Mr. H. S. Sukthankar, Assistant Deputy Inspector of Marathi Schools, Bombay, held the annual inspection on 19th November. He expressed his satisfaction with the work, discipline and tone of the school. I quote below extracts from his report. The grant in aid received by the school in 1907 was Rs. 138. The amount was increased last year to 185 which is nearly the maximum obtainable under Chapter III. Application for transferring the school for registration as primary from an indigenous one has been made and we may expect to secure more grant next year. Mr. Sukthankar’s report referred to above is as under :—

"The school teaches Joint Schools Committee’s standards. St. IV did fairly well on the whole. The work of St. III was on the whole good. The dictation of St. II was fair and copybooks very fair, while arithmetic and vernacular were good. The results of St. I were on the whole fairly satisfactory. The Infant class has on the whole been fairly well trained... Book binding, needle work and embroidery work have been lately introduced in this school and the work done by the pupils was satisfactory... Discipline and conduct of students : Good. The teaching staff is sufficient and fairly competent. Supervision... Good.”

7. Religious and moral instruction is a special feature of this school. Instruction of a systematic character in the Theistic faith of worship is imparted and morality is taught by means of simple stories which the children love being told. Every day, before the regular work commences, the children are assembled together and are taught to recite a hymn from the Sulabh Sangit specially prepared for their use.

8. Visitors to the School — Among those who visited the school during the year under report and thus showed their practical interest in its work were Lala Lajpatrai of Lahore, Dr. R. G. Bhandarkar, Mrs. Ramabai Ranade, Mr. G. K. Deodhar of the Servants of India Society, Prof. Mallik of Bankipore, Mr. G. D. Madgavkar, B.A., I.C.S. Sessions Judge, Broach, Mrs. Manekbai Bahadurji, Mrs. Laxmibai Ranade, Prof. V. P. Dalai, M.A., B.Sc. of the Elphinstone College, Mr. H. Stanley Reed, Editor, Times of India and a large number of ladies and gentlemen. The children of the school are deeply grateful to Mrs. Ramabai Ranade, Mr. H. Stanley Reed and R.B.A.R. Talcherkar who were kind enough to distribute sweetmeats to them. I beg also to express my sincere gratitude to all these and other visitors for visiting the school and encouraging the pupils and the staff in their work.

Special provision — In this school provision is made for bathing and washing. The children in our school come from the dirtiest quarters of the town and have absolutely no notions of cleanliness and hygiene. The dirty children are bathed in the school and they are also made to     wash their clothes. Soap is supplied to them in plenty and they are made to realise practically the advantages of a life of cleanliness and neatness. Every attempt is made to discourage slovenly habits and to imbue the little children with the idea that cleanliness is a virtue which is worth practising. The result of this practice are visible in the tidiness observed in the pupils whose dress and habits are in marked contrast with those of other children who have not been yet brought under the influence of the school.

What the School has done and what It wants to do — The Parel School has been in existence now for over two years. During this time no fewer than 400 pupils of the depressed classes have come under its influence and about 300 of them have left the institution after acquiring a smattering however little, of the three Rs. The School staff has attempted without exception to throw as much light of useful knowledge into the lives of these little ones. They have been shown the value of clean and moral living and have been taught to regard life as a precious gift from God and not a thing to be despised and wasted. All that we have done for the poor children is, we are aware, only a very small part of what could and ought to be done for them. More indeed could be done for the improvement of their future life and prospects, but the pity is, they do not stay with us long enough. If they did so, what we desire to do is to train them so, as to completely wipe off the stigma of low-caste life attaching to them. The object which the School wants to achieve is to put the low-caste children on an equal footing with those of the higher classes. With careful and regular training, with education in hygiene, morality and religion we hope to achieve it. We thank God for His help in the discharge of our duty to the depressed classes and we pray to Him to be with us in the year just begun and to enable us to perform our work with love and humility.
V. S. SOHONI
(Hd. Master, Parel School)

APPENDIX B

REPORT OF THE
Deonar Kachrapatti Day School
(FOR THE YEAR 1908)

This school was opened on the 1st of November 1907. It is situated close to the chawls for the depressed classes labourers employed in connection with the removal of the refuse of the city of Bombay to Deonar near Chimbur two miles away from the Ry. Station, Kurla.

The School meets in a thatched cottage erected by our philanthropic citizen Mr. Haji Yusaf Haji Ismail, who was kind enough to pay all its expenses and also to distribute clothes to the children of the school. But for this help of Mr. Haji Yusaf, the work of the school would have been seriously hampered for want of proper accommodation. Our best thanks are therefore due to Sheth Haji Yusaf as well as to Mr. S. M. Edwards I.C.S. the then Municipal Commissioner for having enabled us to start this School.

During the year under report 110 boys and 5 girls were admitted into the School of whom 109 belonged to the Depressed classes. The pupils are all drawn from the children of labourers belonging to the Kachrapatty. The average daily attendance was 25.

Application has been made to the Inspector of schools, Thana District, for the registration of the school for grant-in-aid. In response to it, the Inspector Mr. R. G. Apte, B.A. visited the school and was pleased with all he saw. He has promised to recommend the application for grant.

In connection with this school, special mention must be made of the name of Mr. Amritlal V. Thakar, L.C.E. who first drew the attention of the Committee of the Mission to the need of a School, felt for a long time by the low caste labourers at Deonar Kachrapatti and who helped the Committee both pecuniarily and otherwise in establishing School. He still takes a very keen of interest in its working and management and renders all possible aid to the Mission in general and the Master in charge of the school, to make it an institution of real use to the children of the depressed classes. The flourishing condition of the school is in itself an indication of Mr. Amritlal's interest in it.
V. S. SOHONI
(Inspector of Society's Schools)

APPENDIX C

REPORT OF THE
Agripada Day School
(FOR THE YEAR 1908)

Situation — The Agripada Vernacular School was opened on the 1st of June 1908 in the Dagdi Chawl near the Byculla Club, Agripada. Subsequently as the number of pupils increased it was removed to the Improvement Trust Chawl C. This and the adjoining chawls are tenanted by the low classes and the transfer of the School therefore has resulted in supplying a long-felt want of these people.

Attendance & c. — The school was opened in June with about two dozen children, but the number increased so rapidly that in about two months it reached the figure of 70. After initial outface to Agripada the admissions showed a steady increase and by the end of December the total number on roll stood at 114. In all 292 pupils were admitted during the seven months from June to December while 178 left the School leaving 114 on roll as mentioned above. The average daily attendance was 54. Of the 292 admissions only one was a Maratha, the rest being depressed classes children.

The annual Transference Examination of the School was held in December before the Christmas holidays with results which speak for themselves.
                                                          St. II     St. I     Infant class
Children presented for Examination      7          16            41
Children passed the Examination          7         16            34

Sunday Moral Class — This Class met during the months the school was open on every Sunday morning. It was conducted by V. S. Sohoni. The average attendance of this class was 32.

The school has been registered by the Joint Schools Committee for grant in-aid under Chapter III of the Code and we may expect to receive a grant next year.
V. S. Sohoni
(Inspector of Society's Schools)

APPENDIX D

THE DEPRESSED CLASSES MISSION

Charitable Dispensary
(From 12th November 1906 to 31st December 1908)

There is no charitable dispensary within an area of one mile around the Mission house, except one private dispensary and one Hakim. If there be any dispensaries in some of the mills, they provide medicines only to those millhands, who attend work and not to their families. Nearly all our patients belong to the backward and depressed classes, whose habits are very dirty and who do not show any inclination to take medicines at the right time. The large number of injuries which are received by workmen from irons & c. and the consequent ulcers might be easily cured if properly attended to at once. But the poor people neglect the wounds which sometimes develop into worst types of gangrene. The many diseases of malarial fever and of stomach affections are due to the low level and defective drainage at Parel. Large quantities of water accumulate in several wide areas and remain stagnant. The mud slowly dries throughout the rainy season, gives a most offensive smell and also breeds a tremendous crops of mosquitos which are the constant source of malaria. Visits to the houses of the poor people benefit them very much. Furniture, instruments and the services of a good compounder are badly needed.

Since the establishment of the Municipal Dispensary in the locality the number of attendance of the patients have gone down and my health also at present being not in a good state. I have at present temporarily discontinued attending; but if arrangements be made to provide the necessary funds, I shall offer my services free as before with the greatest Pleasure.

STATEMENTS OF PATIENTS TREATED
(DISEASES TREATED)
Table 1(To see the tables click here)

The above statement will, I hope, convince the reader of the necessity of such a dispensary for these people and also enlist the sympathy of the owners of the several mills and railways whose employees are so much benefitted by the many activities of the Mission.

From the expenses it will be seen that the Dispensary has been conducted with the utmost frugality. To make it efficient a permanent annual income of five hundred rupees is required necessarily.

Friends of the poor are earnestly solicited to make up the Annual Rs. 500.
SANTOOJI RAMJI LAUD,
(Rd.) Hospital Assistant,
Bombay Med. Est.

Bombay Rd.

Thana

THE APPENDIX E
REPORT OF THE
Nirashrit Sewa Sadan D. C. M.
(For the 20 months from May 1907 to 31st December 1908)

History — The depressed classes Mission was started in Bombay on the 18th Oct. 1906 with the object of elevating the low caste people by (1) promoting education (2) providing work (3) removing social disabilities and (4) by preaching to them the ideals of the Universal religion, personal character and good citizenship. Till the establishment of the above mentioned Sadan the last three objects of the mission could not be effectively carried out.

With the experience of the first six months’ work the Secretary of the Mission found that the objects of the Mission could not be fulfilled unless there was a body of self sacrificing persons who would wholly devote themselves to the mission under the discipline of a proper guide. Fortunately however the Secretary was soon enabled by the help of a generous philanthrophist who promised one hundred rupees, every month towards the expense of the workers, to secure two educated young ladies and two gentlemen all devoted to the Mission.

With these four as Missionaries the institution called the "Nirashrit Sewa Sadan” The Depressed Classes Mission Home was started on the 22nd May 1907. It is now lodged in a building which contains the Mission School opposite to the Elphinstone Road Station B. B. & C.I.Ry. Two more ladies have joined the Sadan since and are being trained there for the Mission work.

Objects — (1) The object of the Sadan is to train such of the high caste young persons as may be found disposed to devote themselves to some useful and charitable work among the neglected classes " specially unmarried young ladies and homeless widows.

(2) To maintain and provide work for such devoted people, after being trained in the Sadan, in connection with the Depressed Classes Mission or similar benevolent activities for the poor.

Work — Schools — The increasing number of the Depressed Classes Mission Schools in Bombay and Poona is due to the work of the Sadan.

The spiritual side of the Mission Schools is looked after by the Sadan. In all the Day Schools of the Mission the Sunday classes are held regularly every Sunday Morning. The average attendance of the children in the Sunday School at Parel which is conducted by Mr. V. R. Shinde and Mrs. Janabai Shinde, is about 50. Some selected hymns from the Prarthana Sangit are taught to the pupils and explained and lives of saints are read to them. Book binding is taught to the boys in the Parel School by Mr. Sayad Abdul Kadir. A sewing class is organized in which sewing and embroidery is taught. Some poor women of the low caste people and the girls in the School attend this class. Clothes and caps are made and sold. The profit realized in this work is given to the poor women who attend the class. The sewing class has received one knitting machine as a present from Harison Patent Co. of Manchester and a sewing machine from Mrs. Bahadurji and Mrs. Rao.

The Bhajan Samaj — There are meetings held on Saturdays in which lectures on Moral and Social subjects are delivered, Keertans performed and readings given from the works of marathi Saints. On the 19th January 1908 a Bhajan Samaj was started in the Sadan. Every Sunday evening are held Bhajan and Divine service in the Bhajan Samaj. Many Boys from Day school and Night school at Parel and many people living in the neighbourhood attend the Divine services, regularly. On holidays, special meetings and social gatherings of men and women are held in which light refreshments are served. During the period under report there were held 9 lectures, 4 keertans, 5 Bhaktivijaya readings, 5 social gatherings and regular weekly Divine Services.

Excursions — On the opening day of the Bhajan-Samaj some boys from the Parel day school and all the boys from the Deonar school were taken to the Victoria gardens and light refreshment was given to them there. On the last Tabut day a large number of the students of the night schools were taken to the Elephanta caves at Gharapuri. They took with them their tiffin and there was a very happy Preetibhojan.

Collection of clothes — More than 1500 clothes, old and new, were collected and distributed among the needy. The clothes prepared in the Mission sewing class are also distributed among the poor and deserving boys of the schools of the Mission.

Saturday and Sunday Baths — In order that the children shouldacquire the habit of cleanliness the Missionaries give them Saturday and Sunday baths. Though there were many difficulties raised by the parents of the boys in connection with these baths still they were continued as long as necessary and they proved very effective.

Home Visits — Members of the Sadan visit the homes of these miserable people. They give them moral and religious talks and persuade them to send their children to school. Particular attention is paid to create and encourage the habit of cleanliness among them and to improve their domestic habits. Mrs. Venubai who is trained as a midwife in the Ayurvidyalaya pays sick visits where they are needed.

Boarders — There were three boarders in the Sadan. One was studying in the Wilson High School and the other in the St. Xaviour College. The third was a rescued waif. The first one went to his native place on account of ill health and the second has now joined the Furgusson College.

Moffusil Work — The Secretary of the Mission on his missionary tour visited Poona where he realised the necessity of social and religious work among the depressed classes of that place and soon succeeded in starting a Bhajan Samaj there. A Sunday class also is held every Sunday morning and a free library has been opened. Mr. Sayad in his last tour visited the low caste school at Jamkhandi, Gokak, Kolhapur and Poona.
SAYYAD ABDUL KADIR
(Manager)
Nirashrit Sewa Sadan,
Elphistone Rd., Bombay

APPENDIX F
REPORT OF THE
Somawanshiya Mitra Samaj, Byculla
(FOR THE YEAR 1908)

Under the auspices of the Depressed Classes Mission this Samaj was started on the 24th of March 1907.

The objects are — (1) To promote moral and religious reform among the Depressed Classes so that they will elevate themselves from their degraded condition.

(2) To promote the spread of education among these communities by inducing the parents to send their children to school.

Rules —
(1) Every member should attend the weekly divine service and sermon.
(2) He should abstain from all intoxicants.
(3) All should treat one another as brothers.
(4) No member should bear any malice or hatred or show any disrespect to any religion or caste.
(5) No smoking or chewing or any such other ungentlemanly conduct shall be allowed during any meeting.
(6) No speech in any meeting shall be made in a taunting or insulting spirit.
(7) Persons    intending to be members shall apply to the president and be admitted by a vote of the majority.

The Samaj first used to meet in the Dagadi chawl, Morland Road, Byculla. After the opening of D. C. Mission School in the Improvement Trust Chawl No. 3, the Samaj began to hold its weekly and other meeting in one of the school rooms by permission. Till 31st December 1908 there were about 70 members. During the year 1908 there were 52 weekly meetings at which the leading members of the Samaj preached by turns. Mr. V. R. Shinde was occasionally invited to visit the Samaj when he preached at these meetings and made several suggestions as to the progress of the body. The attendance at these ordinary meetings was from 25 to 50.

Public meetings — On the 4th October 1908, public meeting was held under the presidentship of the Hon’ble Mr. Justice Chandavarkar when two of the members of the Samaj spoke in support of the resolution thanking H. E. the Governor and Miss Clarke for their sympathy to the Mission. A fortnight afterwards another public meeting was invited by one of the members Mr. Appaji S. Pawar, when Mr. V. R. Shinde, presided and four of the members of this Samaj addressed the audience which mustered about 400 strong, on education, social reform, temperance and religious reform. The members of this Samaj also attend the Divine Services in the Prarthana Samaj Girgaum and the Monthly Social Gatherings of all the Hindu Clubs newly organized by the Social Reform Association of Bombay.
KONDAJI RAMJI MASTER
(President)
Khadda, Nesbit Rd.,
Mazgaon, Bombay.

APPENDIX G
DEPRESSED CLASSES MISSION SOCIETY OF INDIA
POONA BRANCH
(Incorporated)

First Half-yearly Report
(June 1908 — December 1908)

It was about the month of April 1908 that owing to an earnest appeal from some of the leading men of the Mahar community of Poona Cantonment that Mr. V. R. Shinde, B.A., General Secretary of the Depressed Classes Mission Society of India, had, after a visit of inspection to the intended centre of Mission work, to think seriously of opening a branch of the above Mission in Poona and place me, in spite of my unworthiness and inability, in charge of it. But the inevitable problem of funds scared him away for two months from setting his hands to the plough. However, Mr. Shinde’s assistant Mr. Sayyad Abdul Kadir, came down from Bombay after the former’s return, and through sheer Perseverance by means of which he was able to secure promises of support and sympathy, opened, on 22nd June, a Day School with a few pupils in a rented upper story of a Marwari’s house in Centre Street of Poona Camp in the midst of the low-caste population. There was no school room furniture at all. A table and a chair were lent by the low caste men. The pupils sat on the floor. All the same a beginning was made. More pupils came in as days passed on; and in July when the School got into some shape, nearly a hundred names were on the roll. Of course, this rapid influx of school children was not steady and many who came in to experience a novelty soon fell off. So, to begin with, we employed only one teacher Mr. Ningappa Shankar Aidale a mahar from Pandharpur where he was a Municipal School Teacher. He was engaged on Rs. 10 a month and he took charge of all the pupils in the School. Mr. Sayad took advantage of the newly created enthusiasm among the people, and before leaving Poona, opened a Night School and a Reading Room also in the same place.

The whole business and subscriptions amounting to Rs. 10 per mensem only were entrusted to me, and Mr. Sayyad returned to Bombay. I had, therefore, to first look for the sinews of war — the wherewithal needed to continue the work. Personal appeals, and appeals through correspondence and in newspapers for pecuniary aid, resulted in my obtaining Rs. 177 in the month of July, Rs. 100 was the generous donation of Mr. H. A. Wadia, Bar-at-law, and Rs. 30 each was from W. T. Morison, Esq., I.C.S., Commissioner of Poona, and Prof. E. A. Wodehouse, M.A., of the Deccan College. With this amount I was able to purchase some school-room furniture, tables, chairs, benches and black-boards. In the middle of July Mr. A. V. Gurjar, a Brahman Matriculate who was an Assistant in the Parel Day School of the Bombay Mission, was sent as Head Master of the Poona Camp Day School on Rs. 15 per month. The monthly expenses now came up to nearly Rs. 50. No school fees were or are charged.

In my desperate efforts to obtain funds, I ventured to approach His Excellency Sir George Clarke, the Governor of Bombay, through a letter dated 19th July 1908. To my great delight and surprise, after the lapse of a few days during which His Excellency seems to have been instituting enquiries into the facts and persons connected with the Mission, I received the following communication dated 12-8-08 from the Private Secretary to His Excellency :—

“Sir,

With reference to your letter of the 19th ultimo, I am desired to inform you that H. E. the Governor considers that your Mission is worthy of support, and he wishes it all success.

As regards a subscription I am to inform you that H. E. has permitted Miss Clarke to get up a Concert next month in aid of the funds of your Mission and it is hoped that a considerable surplus should be available for the purpose.”....

This communication was a source of no small encouragement to all the people connected with the Mission work at Bombay and other places. Nothing shall stand as prominent in the early annals of the Poona Branch as the great impetus given to it by the part played by the Head of the Bombay Presidency in permitting his daughter to organize a charitable Concert to aid its work. The Grand Orchestral Concert came off in the month of September when Poona was in season and when the station was full of visitors. Being under the kind patronage of H. E. the Governor, Major-General Alderson C. B., Commanding Poona Division, and the Maharajas of Baroda and Kolhapur, it proved nothing short of a great success in every way. The net income of the event was Rs. 3467-13-6 which was handed over to the President of the Head Society at Bombay. The value of the Concert lies not only in the substantial addition it brought to the funds of the Society but also the fact that the work of the Society has been brought prominently before the public by the Ruler of this Presidency and his benevolent daughter taking a sincere interest in its success, and by their also bringing it within the scope of the practical sympathy of some of the Maharajas and Chiefs of this Presidency. For among those whose contributions to her Concert were acknowledged by Miss Clarke were :-
H. H. The Maharaja Gaikawad of Baroda - Rs. 500
H. H. The Aga Khan - Rs. 500
H. H. The Maharaja of Kolhapur - Rs. 200
H. H. The Chief of Bhor - Rs. 200
H. H. The Thakore Saheb of Amod - Rs. 100
H. H. The Thakore Saheb of Kerwada - Rs. 100
H. H. The Nawab of Sachin - Rs. 103
The Chief of Ichalkaranji  - Rs. 25
The Chief of Dharampur - Rs. 10

Soon after the Concert Mr. V. R. Shinde, visited Poona and organized a public meeting of the Depressed Classes of Poona and the surrounding villages, in which a Resolution was passed thanking H. E. the Governor, and Miss Clarke for the practical sympathy evinced by them in the humble work of ameliorating the down-trodden condition of those classes. It was also resolved at that meeting "to set apart the proceeds of the Concert as the nucleus of a fund for the purpose of erecting buildings now so very necessary for the promotion of the objects of the Mission, to be styled, if permitted, 'Miss Clarke Memorial Buildings,' (The permission has since been graciously granted).

In the months of August, September and October, I was fortunate in the pecuniary help I received—at least it was encouraging enough to make me think of giving a permanent shape to the work of the Poona Branch. In addition to some subscriptions and minor donations, Sir Jacob Sassoon bestowed Rs. 500 upon it, the Chief of Mudhol sent Rs. 100 through Dr. R. G. Bhandarkar, and Sardar Nowroji Padumji, Mr. Bomanji Dinshaw Petit and the Hon. Mr. R. A. Lamb contributed Rs. 50 each.

On 1st September, the Poona Prarthana Samaj Night Schools, two in number, which were started by Mr. V. R. Shinde in this City in 1905 and of which I was the Secretary were at my request transferred to the Poona Branch of the Depressed Classes Mission Society, the Poona Prarthana Samaj resolving to pay Rs. 4 a month towards the maintenance of those Schools. One of those Night Schools which was situated in Budhwar Peth and was attended by poor Maratha day-labourers has since been removed to Mangalwar Peth where it is attended exclusively by low-caste men.

In the same month i.e. in September, at the formal invitation of the Central Committee at Bombay, the following gentlemen accepted the following Honorary offices :—

Hon. Dr. F. G. Selby, M.A., L.L. D„ C.I.E. - (President)
Mr. A. K. Mudliar, B. A. - (Secretary)
Mr. Arjun B. Mudliar - (Treasurer)

The Institutions now under the management of the Poona Branch are :—
The Camp Day School.
The Camp Night School.
The Camp Reading Room.
The Ganj Peth Night School.
The Mangalwar Peth Night School.

In connection with the Institutions in the Camp, a Sunday Class is conducted with as many children as willingly attend, and, whenever convenience permits, a Bhajan (Musical Service) is conducted on Saturday nights for adult males by Mr. L. M. Satoor of Kirkee.

In October while plague was at its height, Mr. G. K. Deodhar, Secretary of the Poona Plague Relief Committee, organized illustrative lectures in the vernacular on inoculation for the benefit of the poor and ignorant people of  the low-caste community in the Camp Day School and in the Ganj Peth and Mangalwar Peth Night Schools. Also the Camp Day School had a conversational Class on “Cleanliness” one afternoon with Mr. G. K. Deodhar, M. A. of the Servants of India Society. It was unfortunate that the surprise visit of Mr. W. T. Morison, the Commissioner, and Mr. G. Carmichael the Collector, of Poona to the Camp Day School should have fallen on a day when the School was closed on account of plague.

With regard to the teaching staff, educated men among the Depressed Classes fit to do the teaching work are very rare, and Brahmans and high caste men are loath to teach low-caste schools especially in Poona. Still, during the period under report we have not been lacking in teachers. I stated above that Mr. A. V. Gurjar, a Brahman teacher in the Parel School, Bombay, was sent here as Head Master of the Camp Day School.

He had to be relieved of his services in September and in his place another Brahman Matriculate, Mr. G. N. Babras was appointed. This gentleman, during the plague days of October, took ill one afternoon in the school and went on leave to his native place and has not been since heard of.

All the institutions were closed in the month of October on account of plague and were not reopened within the period of this report except the Camp Day School which was reopened on 1st December and soon after located in Sachapir Street in a bungalow costing Rs. 30 a month.

A few statistics may be given in connection with the Camp Day School. As the Camp Night School worked tentatively only for three months, and as the Night Schools in the City had to be closed on account of plague very soon after they were taken charge of, statistics in connection with those Schools are not given.

POONA CAMP DAY SCHOOL

Total No. of Admissions - 161
Average No. of Pupils on the Roll - 89
Average Daily Attendance - 47

Classification of Pupils according to Standards    :—

Infant Class - 73
I Standard - 22
II Standard - 7
III Standard - 3
Total No. of Pupils on the Roll in Dec. 1908 - 105

Classification of the above according to castes    :—

Mahars - 104
Dhangar - 1
Total - 105

A Statement of Receipts and Expenditure and lists of Donors and Subscribers as well as teachers in the schools are appended.

Thus in brief is the Report for a short period of work. It is an account of the beginning of a hitherto totally neglected piece of national work in the centre of orthodoxy in the Deccan. But it does not give any idea of the difficulties we had to undergo and the anxieties we constantly feel on the score of finances. Consecrated lives are needed for this labour of love and righteousness and the work in Poona is entrusted to one who regrets that owing to his private vocation and his private circumstances, he is not able to devote that amount of energy and time which is needed for the achievement of some of the objects of the Mission. Still he hopes, that with co-operation and sympathy from friends will be able to accomplish something in the new year 1909; and he will consider his work abundantly blessed if as many of the patriotic citizens of Poona as possible will encourage him with counsel and money. The scope — the field-for labour is large. The labourers are few and the funds are less. Primary education is not the whole and sole object of the work undertaken. But humble activities for the social and moral elevation of the depressed classes form a more important part of our programme. And if only the hearts of the people can be moved to help us with their mite, we will be enabled to give effect to some of our objects.

To those who feel like sympathising with us the invitation is freely given to visit the centres of our work in the Camp and in the City of Poona. They also who so much as care to come and see what we do will be co-workers in our cause.

With this report goes a deep sense of gratitude to all those generous hearts who thought our work worthy of their sympathy and support.
A. K. MUDLIAR
(Hon. Secretary)
Vithal Cottage,    
Raste's Peth,    
Poona City. 20-2-09.

DEPRESSED CLASSES MISSION SOCIETY OF INDIA — Poona Branch
THE STAFF OF TEACHERS - POONA SCHOOLS
DEPRESSED CLASSES MISSION SOCIETY OF INDIA - Poona Branch

List of Donors - 1908
Table 2 - (For see the all pdf files click here)
APPENDIX H

A REPORT OF THE DEPRESSED CLASSES MISSION

Manmad Branch
(Affiliated)
From its opening on 11th May 1907 — to 31st December, 1908

The general Secretary of the Mission visited Manmad, delivered in Marathi a lecture on “Our duty to the Depressed Classes" and opened a Night School on the 11th of May 1907.

The total number of pupils on the roll is, at present 34, the average attendance being 28.

The pupils are classified according to their castes as under.
Mahar -                24
Mang -                  3
Khatic -                 3
Chambar -              2
Mahrata -               2
Total -                  34

MINOR INSTITUTIONS

Bathing — The teachers in charge of the school take all their pupils, every Wednesday and Saturday to the local river where the latter bathe, wash and swim. The institution has effected such a marvellous change in the external appearance of the students that many people are astonished at first to find them so unexpectedly clean and joyful.

Exercises — Atyapatya and Khokho Clubs have been opened. Students as well as young men from the Maharwada take great interest in these popular games. They are played every evening on the extensive ground just near the school. Cricket and Football will also be soon introduced.

Temperance League — The students have formed themselves into a league with their Head Master for its President and two senior students for Joint Secretaries. Every member is pledged not to drink in spite of his parents, for the fact that the parents ask or even compel their sons to drink is of very frequent occurrence amongst these people. The parents themselves have been exhorted on this point and they have given their word that they will not henceforth ask or compel their sons to     drink. If a student is found violating the rule of the League, he is punished with an exclusion from Atyapatya and Khokho for as many days as in his discretion the President may choose to fix. The League has done much good and has been found working very well for the last 5 months.

Anniversary — The first anniversary of the school was celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy. After having passed the day in Bhajan, Lectures, Matches etc. a fruit party was given, in the evening, at a very pleasant place on the river Ponjana.

Excursions — Grown up students of the school, accompanied by their teacher, Mr. Jadhao, and the Branch Secretary, made an excursion to the celebrated fair of Nanawati at Chandor. Thakore Mansinhaji kindly procured for us bullock-carts and all of us enjoyed the trip very much.

The needs of the Branch :

The want of a day-school for these people is every day felt here. Being a considerable Railway Junction, Manmad has for its residents many Depressed Classes people serving as labourers to the Railway Companies. Should, therefore, a day school be opened here, it is expected that nearly 100 students from the Depressed classes would join it. It is certainly a very heart-rending spectacle to see so many young ones of our species, whiling away their time in useless games, wandering, stealing, or accustoming themselves to many other dirty habits only because their fathers can not afford to pay for their books and schooling. But in order to meet the expense of a day-school with 100 pupils, the income must be at least 50 Rs. The present income of this branch is not even half as much. So the opening of a day school here wholly depends on the generosity of large-minded philanthropists. A building is very urgently needed for the school as the town people are loath to rent any place in the town for this Purpose.

STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS
(From 11th May 1907 - to 31st December 1908)
Table (To see the table click here)

In conclusion I beg to thank all those that have helped us in our humble labours for the so called lowcastes.

MOHANSINH MOTISINHA
(Hon. Secretary)
Manmad    
District Nasik

APPENDIX I

Igatpuri Branch
(Affiliated)

Igatpuri is an important railway centre. On account of the railway workshops there is a large population of workers belonging to the Depressed Classes. Many members of these communities are engaged as domestic servants by Europeans and because of the good wages they earn in that capacity they are financially better off than their brothers elsewhere. There is a government school here for the higher classes in which “low class” children do not find admission. The need of a school for these children of whom there is a large number is greatly felt. There is a Depressed Classes Association with a membership of 58, working at Igatpuri for the social uplifting of the community. The association arranges lecture series, Bhajans, temperance, demonstrations & c. for the benefit of the Depressed Classes. Their greatest need however is that of a well managed day school which it is hoped will be soon supplied.
— ASST. GENERAL SECRETARY

APPENDIX J

THE DEPRESSED CLASSES MISSION SOCIETY OF INDIA

Akola Branch
(Affiliated)
For the year 1908

On his Missionary tour in May 1907 in Berar, Mr. V. R. Shinde delivered two public lectures, one in Akola and another at Amraoti and created general sympathy for the Mission. He also visited the late Janoji Free Boarding for Mahar students at Akola and addressed a meeting of the depressed classes. People gathered together specially for the occasion from the neighbouring villages.

In July 1908 Mr. K. P. Bhalekar was sent from Ahmednagar as agent of the D. C. Mission, Bombay, to work in Berar. He organized a local committee consisting of — Rao Saheb Vishnu Moreshwar Mahajani, (President), Rao Bahadur Devrao Vinayak Digambar, (Vice President), Narayan Waman Harkare Esq., S. C. Hosally Esq., Bar-at- Law, (Honorary Secretary).

In consultation with whom he was authorised to work.

(1) Akola Night School — This institution in Akola is really independent of this Mission for it was started before this mission came into existence and is supported by Rao Bahadur Deorao Vinayak, the two Mahajanis and other gentlemen. Its accounts are not incorporated with those of the mission. The school was started in February 1908 in a building lent by the Mahars of the Maharwada.

The Head Master is Gopalrao. Hd. Master of the Municipal School No. 2 Akola, whose salary Rs. 8 per mensem is paid by the Mahajanis. The lighting charges are paid by Dr. D. K. Kolatkar. A fund was started for building a permanent house for the school and Rs. 200 were collected. A few gentlemen by public subscriptions name Rao Bahadur Vinayak and the firm of Savant Ram Rampertab gave besides gols, rafters and corrugated iron sheets. It is gratifying to observe that the mahar families have set an example of self help and self-sacrifice by contributing one anna per family every week. The site for the building was given gratis by Government; and the building was completed in October and occupied in November 1908.

There are at present 25 pupils on roll. About 20 attend every night They are taught for two hours. The school was visited on four or five occasions by Messrs. Hosali, Harkare and the Mahajanis and by the Deputy Inspector. The progress made has been found to be satisfactory. The pupils are all mahars and their ages range from 12 to 20.

(2) The Paras Night School — Contains about 25 boys and the average attendance is about 18.

The school was started by Messrs. Hosali and Parchure who pay all the expenses. It was opened in a Madhi of the Mahars but steps have been taken to allow the school to be held in the old Mahar school building belonging to the District Board. It was visited three times by the above gentlemen, but the progress made was not very satisfactory. The pupils are all mahars and their ages range from 10 to 25. The teacher is a mahar who is paid Rs 4 per mensem. The school was inspected by the Inspector of Schools who has promised to help the institution.

There is a Mahar Boarding House at Akola started by the late Mr. Januji Mahar. It contains 12 boys who are fed gratis by Mr. Januji’s widow, instructions to that effect having been left by him before he died. These boys are superintended by Messrs. Hosali and Harkare. Out of these boys two attend the High School and the rest attend the Anglo-Marathi school. It may be added that these mahar boys freely mix with the other Hindu boys in the two schools.

These boys and the boys of the night school attend Divine Service every Sunday in the house of Mr. Hosali, when besides singing hymns, sermons are given on moral and religious subjects by Messrs. Narayan Rao Harkare and Hosali. The principles of pure Theism are taught to the boys with great care.

(3) Mission Agent — Mr. Bhalekar who was sent from Bombay visited few places in Berar and collected subscriptions. He gave lectures in various places and reported that the gentlemen of Amraoti were ready to start a Mahar school like the one at Akola.

As regular reports were not received from Mr. Bhalekar, no formal meetings of the committee were held. Of the subscriptions collected by Mr. Bhalekar no portion was actually sent to the Secretary. It would appear that he, Mr. Bhalekar collected only as much as was sufficient to pay his salary and other expenses. As he has resigned nothing need be said as regards his relations with this branch of the mission.

The condition of Mahars in Berar is not as bad as in the Bombay Presidency. They are not considered so untouchable here as in the older province. They serve in the local factories and pretty freely mix with the other Hindus. Though sometimes the prejudice against them is strong.

There is some chance of similar schools being started in other places also; but we think that the work should be left to local men.

STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS
Mr. Bhalekar sends the following statement of Accounts and report of his work.
Table (To see the statement click here)

A local committee was formed at Amraoti with Messrs. Kane and Bhangle. A night school was started in the Nagpurpatil (Amraoti). Another night school was started at Thugaon.
H. S. HOSALLI
(Hon. Secretary)
Akola, Berar.

APPENDIX K

REPORT OF THE
Central India Committee
OF THE
Depressed Class Mission
(Affiliated)
(From 24th April 1907 to 31st December 1908)

On the 24th April 1907 Mr. V. R. Shinde with the help of some gentlemen at Indore started the mission and appointed a committee called Central India Committee of the D.C.M. Society of India.

The following members were elected on the committee :—
Professor Gokhale (Holkar Coll.) — Vice-President.
Mr. S. T. Dravid B.A., LL. B.
Mr. V. B. Tilloo.
Dr. Atmaram.
Mr. Lakshman Rao Khanvilkar — Hon. Treasurer.
Mr. Ramchandra G. Mitbawkar — Hon. Secretary.

The Committee started a school on the 5th of May 1907. Some attempts were made to bring Mahar boys; but their parents do not care for the education and engage them in menial services.

There are 10 chamar boys, 5 Bhoi and 1 Khatik, 1 Bania and 3 Chamar girls in the school.

3 boys are reading in the Marathi 3rd standard
5  „      „     „     „    ,,    2nd    ,,
13  „  (10 boys and 3 girls)  Marathi primer & c.

Average attendance in the school is about 12. Altogether 3 meetings of the Managing Committee were held to consider as to how to induce Mahar boys to attend school and to open a night school.

The amount of donation promised is Rs. 520; but the actual sum received is Rs. 255-10-3.
Receipt                  Expenses
Rs. 255-10-3         141-1 Pay of teacher.
                            50   Sent to Bombay.
                            21   House rent & sundry.
                            43 Balance in hand.
                             ________
                            255-10-3

R. G. MITBAWKAR
(Hon. Secretary)
Brahma Samaj, Indore

APPENDIX L

DEPRESSED CLASSES MISSION SOCIETY OF INDIA

Madras Branch
(Affiliated)

Mr. Shinde during his short stay in Madras was able to organise a public demonstration meeting in connection with the All-India Theistic Conference in the Memorial Hall under the presidentship of Rao Bahadur Adi Naranayya and as a result of the sympathy created a small Committee to carry on the work of D. C. Mission in this City was formed. This committee have started work in one of the biggest Pariah villages in the suburb of Madras, and have opened a day school with a teacher who is a High Caste Hindu for the youngsters, and a night school is proposed to be opened at an early date for the grown up men who are mostly day labourers. A school house is being constructed, but in the meanwhile the teacher is holding his classes under the village trees. He has been able in this short time to gather about 40 children including boys and girls and the Mission has every hope of successful work here. Besides this, two gentlemen have offered small plots of land for constructing schools in two other villages, but for want of workers and means to carry on the work the Committee have not yet accepted these kind offers, but it is earnestly hoped that as their resources increase the Committee will be able to extend the work into other villages. The Committee have secured the services of Swami Brahmananda as a whole time worker and they will shortly send another young man to Bombay for being trained there in the D. C. Mission work. The Committee have already received letters of sympathy from several persons as well as a few pecuniary contributions. Now that the D. C. Mission Society have taken up in earnest this long neglected work of elevating the depressed classes in our country, we believe that our leading men will support them with all possible help. All contributions should be sent to Mr. H. Balakrishna Rao, B. A., B. L. Hon. Treasurer, D. C. Mission, 97 Anna Pillai Street, G.T., Madras.

V- GOVINDAN
(Hon. Secretary)
D. C. Mission Society, Madras Branch

S.I. Brahma Samaj,     
97 Anna Pillai Street,
G. T., Madras.
APPENDIX M

THE DEPRESSED CLASSES MISSION SOCIETY OF INDIA

Mangalore Branch
(Affiliated)

The Depressed Classes of India, constitute fully one-fourth of the total Hindu population, and more than one-sixth of the entire population of India. But for the proselytising work carried on through many centuries by Islam and Christianity, their number to-day should have been still larger.

They are very important in our social policy, for they are strong and hardy, and constitute the bulk of our agricultural labourers. They possess a hereditary skill in certain manual arts and industries and we could not get on without them.

The disgraceful condition in which we have kept them through long ages is a great blot on our civilisation and religion. By treating them worse than dogs, we have belied the ancient Indian teaching of the oneness of the Life Divine and all its manifestations.

It has been truly said that we, who make grievances of our disabilities in South Africa, should first set our own house in order and do justice to that large section of our own countrymen whom for ages we have grievously wronged.

The problem is nowhere more acute than in the South Canara District. Khan Bahadur M. Azizuddin Saheb Bahadur, Collector of South Canara, in the course of a recent speech, remarked : “I have not come across, anywhere on the East Coast, anything like the persecution of the depressed classes that exists here."

Work among the depressed classes was started at Mangalore in 1897 in a very modest way. In that year Mr. K. Rang Rau, a local pleader, started a school for Panchama children at his own expense and with the help and encouragement of a few European gentlemen. The children were provided not only with free education, but also with a simple midday meal. The school prospered, and many boys were sent out from year to year with a decent primary education.

During the visit of Mr. V. R. Shinde to Manglore, in November 1907, this work hitherto carried on by one individual, was organised under the Depressed Classes Mission, of which four representative Hindu gentlemen of the town became members of the Local Committee with Mr. Ranga Rau as Hon. Secretary.

The Mission is now conducting the following institutions:-

1. A day school with 78 Panchama pupils — 66 boys and 12 girls — and manned by two teachers. These pupils, besides free education, are supplied with clothing, books, etc. and a daily midday meal.

2. A boarding house, with eight grown-up scholars, who live permanently on the school premises for general education and industrial training. It is hoped that boys trained in this way under close supervision will when sent out, have a leavening influence on their community.

3. An industrial institute, in which six fly-shuttle looms are worked at present. The object is to encourage some of these unfortunate people to make weaving a domestic industry.

To meet the cost of establishing and running the industrial institute, it was resolved to raise Rs. 2,000 in forty shares of Rs. 50 each — the subscribers to receive no interest or profits during the first five years, and a moiety of the profits during the next five years, and to have their money returned to them at the end of the tenth year. Only 17 shares have so far been subscribed.

The Secretary also sent out appeals for pecuniary help, to all parts of India. Response came readily from distant parts, from Bombay, Hyderabad, Multan, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Agra, Calcutta, and other places far away, one generous donor anonymously giving Rs. 700. Help unsolicited was received from England also. But South Indian donations are yet few and small.

The total receipts from all these sources have amounted to about Rs. 2,500. This amount has already been spent and work cannot be continued satisfactorily unless it receives a more adequate share of Public patronage.

The school costs Rs. 50 a month, including the free feeding. The cost would have been greater, but for the enthusiastic service of a band of young men, members of the local Brahma Samaj, who regularly go from house to house and collect doles of rice for the scholars.

The efforts of the Mission to give Panchama boys and girls an intel­lectual, industrial and moral training, have so far been successful. The fission has a further scheme for working among the grown-up people. Seven-and-a-half acres of land have been purchased, and fourteen acres will shortly come in possession as a gift from the Government. The committee propose to parcel out this land among about sixty Panchama families, on a permanent lease for nominal rent and help them with small advances for building huts. In this way, a small Panchama colony is to be established, the people having their own little holdings for garder cultivation. As funds permit, it is proposed to extend the colony.

This scheme, when completed, will greatly facilitate the work of the Mission. These people, who live apart and are subject to incessan persecution at the hands of the higher castes, will have the immense benefit of living close together, on their own holdings. Their childrer can be more easily got together for school instruction, night classes car be more easily worked for the grown-up people. And all the people can be more easily trained into habits of temperance, cleanliness, economy etc. Altogether, their intellectual, material, and moral
up-lifting can be more easily accomplished.

The colony will be formally opened shortly.

It is hoped that the work sketched above, which has been carried on hitherto under great discouragements, will appeal to every one, of whatever nationality, with human sympathies, and particularly to every, patriotic and public spirited Indian.

Seven centuries ago, Panchama kings ruled in Canara. To-day, the Canara Holeya is the lowest of the low — despised and cursed of men To uplift this race is noble work. They are numerous in South Canara- about two and a half lakhs, or a fifth of the total population.

We are all members of one another, and each part of the work must respond in sympathy to the rest. Work such as is being carried on at Mangalore has not yet been started in other parts of South India. It ought to be. But meanwhile, every friend of the cause should contribute his mite towards the work at Mangalore.

Friends can help the Mangalore Depressed Classes Mission in any of the following ways :—

1. By purchasing one or more shares in the industrial institute (Rs 50 per share).
2. By making a donation or an annual contribution to the Mission
3. By lending money, not less than Rs. 100, without interest, re payable by ten
    annual instalments.
4. By giving rice, clothes or building materials.
5. By purchasing articles made in the institute.
    Any contribution, however small, will be thankfully received.

Contributions may be sent to Mr. K. Ranga Rau, Hon. Secretary , D. C. M., Court Hill, Mangalore, who will also be happy to furnish any information called for.

V. Raghunathaya
(President, D. C. Mission, Mangalore)
Temple View,
Mangalore. 21-11-08.

APPENDIX N

THE DEPRESSED CLASSES MISSION SOCIETY OF INDIA

Dapoli

A promising field for the activity of the Depressed Class Mission lies at Dapoli in the Ratnagiri District, which has a considerable proportion of the communities whom the Mission seeks to benefit. Among them are some Mahars and Chamars who have served as Commissioned Officers in the Military and have followed other occupations in different parts of India, and now live in Dapoli on the pensions and other means earned by them. The more enlightened among them have always felt the degradation of their class but had not until lately taken steps for their improvement. On 16th November last a meeting was held in the maidan under the presidency of Mr. Sayad Abdul Rahiman Kadri a leading Musalman pensioner residing in the town and was attended by several prominent members of the "untouchable" Classes and their sympathisers of other caste. It was resolved that organized efforts should be made to rescue the depressed classes from their present undesirable condition and to induce the younger members of these communities to take advantage of the educational facilities which exist in Dapoli. Prominent mention was then made of the interest taken in depressed classes by His Excellency the Governor and Miss Clarke, who have patronised the concert held at Poona in aid of the Depressed Classes Mission and who have generally shown their sympathy towards the objects of the Mission. A Committee was formed to collect donations and subscriptions and to apply them to the elevation of the depressed classes. It held three meetings up to the end of the last year. Printed leaflets explaining the objects of the movement and appealing for help were prepared and are being circulated and methods were laid down for acknowledging receipt of amounts recovered and spent, and for Sporting the work done and progress made by the Committee, to its supporters. Attempts are being made to secure the sympathy and co- operation of the prominent residents of the Taluka and appeals for help have been responded to not only by the more intelligent and well-to-do members of the depressed classes but also by the leading members of other communities. On the arrival of Mr. M. C. Gibb, Commissioner S. D. in the town, a deputation waited upon him to explain the objects of the Society and he was pleased to express his sympathy and make a contribution in money.

A movement which aims at elevating the condition of the depressed classes has ample and strenuous work before it. But its scope can be widened only with the enlargement of funds for which it has to depend upon sympathetic and charitably disposed ladies and gentlemen in and out of the District. The Committee has begun operations by finding out boys of the school-going age who idle away their time without aim and ambition and sow the seeds of further degradation, and by encouraging them to attend school. These boys have to be helped with clothes, money, books and papers according to their requirements and some arrangements may have to be made in course of time to provide for their board and lodging. The Mahar and Chamar members on the Committee showed zeal and earnestness in the mode of work and the result has so for been to raise the number of the “untouchable” students of the local Marathi School from 16 to 35. A Chamar boy who was for some time a student of the Mission High School and had left off his studies has been induced to renew his attendance. It is hoped that sustained effort on the part of the Committee will result in rescuing several children of the depressed classes from their present listlessness and in increasing their attendance in the local Vernacular and English schools. 'The existence at Dapoli of a Mission High School of a long standing under European Management provides special facilities which are not to be found in most Taluka stations and makes it possible for the Society to pursue its objects in a manner easier and cheaper than it would have been under different circumstances.

The promoters of the movement are aware that in the work which they have set before themselves, some difficulties may arise, owing to ancient customs and prejudices which prevail in the Mofussil in a more aggravated form than in an advanced city like Bombay. But they propose to meet them in a spirit of conciliation and leave it to time and general spread of education to accomplish what can never be achieved by resistence. Any other course is sure to alienate the sympathy and co­operation of the higher classes upon which the institution must at least in its infant stages so largely depend. The majority on the Committee consists of Mahar and Chamar gentlemen of local influence and their earnestness is shown in the practical work of the movement, in the contributions they have gathered from their own people and in drawing the attention of the humbler members of their communities to the benefit of education. The spirit of harmony and good will which inspires them is shown by the sympathisers they have secured among the higher classes. The Committee has an educated Musalman as their chairman and two Brahmins of different sects, one of them, a pleader, working as a member and the other as Secretary. The largest donation promised to the Society comes from a leading Brahmin Banker of the town. The co-operation which the movement has thus secured is encouraging as it provides the Society with the initial guidance and business experience which enable it to work along right lines and which the Mahars and Chamars however earnest and enlightened are at present unable to find in their own communities.

Number of pupils supported by the society in the :—
Table : (To see the table click here)

WAMAN A. WARTI
(Hon. Secretary)
Government Medical Dispensary,
Dapoli, District Ratnagiri.

APPENDIX O

THE DEPRESSED CLASSES MISSION SOCIETY OF INDIA
(D. C. M.) Est. 18th October 1906

(RULES OF CONSTITUTION)

1. Name — The Society shall be called “The Depressed Classes Mission Society of India."

2. Object — The object of the Society shall be to maintain a Mission which shall seek to elevate the social as well as the spiritual condition of the Depressed Classes, viz. The Mahars, Chambhars, Pariahs, Namsudras and all such other neglected classes in India by means of —
(1) Promoting education,
(2) Providing work,
(3) Remedying their social disabilities, and
(4) Preaching to them ideals of Religion, personal character, and good
     citizenship.

3. Missionaries — Any person who at the invitation of the Executive Committee agrees to devote himself to the work of the Mission and is accepted as such by the Council of the Society shall be deemed as Missionary of the Society.

4. Board of Spiritual and Social Ministry — To minister to the spiritual and social needs of the Depressed Classes in India, there shall be a separate Board consisting of all the missionaries and three other members to be annually elected thereto by the Council from among themselves. This Board shall have a charge of all the spiritual and social institutions and organisations of the Mission, such as the congregations, Sunday Schools, Young People’s Clubs etc. etc.

5. Membership of the Society  — The General Body of the Society shall consist of :—

(a) Patrons :— (1) Persons who make donations of five thousand Rupees or more to the funds of the society (2) or persons of distinction accepting office at the special invitation of the Council of the Society.

(b) Life Members — (1) Those paying a donation of Rs. 1000 or more (2) Persons who have rendered not less than five years’ continuous service as Missionaries of the Society.

(c) Members — Those paying an annual subscription of not less than Rs. 25.

(d) All Missionaries of the Society ex-officio.

6. Any lady or gentleman, other than a Missionary, satisfying the conditions in the above Rule No. 3 shall be admitted as a member of the Society on being duly proposed and seconded by two members of the Executive Committee, and accepted by that Committee.

7. Officers — The Society shall have a President, a Vice-President, either of whom shall also be the Chairman of the Council of the Society, a General Secretary, an Assistant Secretary, a Treasurer, a Minister and an Assistant Minister, both of the latter being Missionaries.

8. The Council — There shall be a Council to elect the Executive Committee and to advise on the affairs of the Mission, its branches and affiliations. The Council shall consist of ten members of the Society in addition to the Officers mentioned above, who shall be members of the Council ex-officio.

9. All the Officers of the Society and not less than three-fourths of the non-official members of the Council, shall be either duly admitted members of any of the Brahma or Prarthana Samajes in India or those who shall have declared their sympathy with the ideals of the Theistic Church consisting of these Samajes in India, in a prescribed form.

10. The Officers and members of the Council shall be elected in the annual meeting of the General Body of the Society to be held in the month of February each year, and shall be eligible for re-election in subsequent years.
(N.B. Any vacancies during the year shall be filled up by the respective bodies themselves).

11. Executive Committee — The Executive authority shall be vested in an Executive Committee consisting of the Chairman of the Council, General Secretary, the Assistant Secretary, the Treasurer, the Minister, the Assistant Minister, and three Missionaries or failing one or more of such, other members to be elected annually by the Council immediately after their being elected for the new year. The Executive Committee so constituted shall have power to initiate measures and to do everything necessary or desirable to further the aims of the society.

12. Meetings — To elect a new Council and to adopt the annual report, the general body of the Society shall meet at least once every year in or about February, and at such other times when the Council desires or is requisitioned to convene a special meeting of the general body. Any twelve members of the society may sign a requisition to the Chairman of the Council who shall thereupon convene a special meeting of the General Body.

13. The Council shall meet at least once in every quarter of the year, to adopt the quarterly report to be presented by the General Secretary and to advise and suggest measures to the Executive Committee in order to further the aims of the Society.

14. The Executive Committee shall meet at least once every month to conduct its work and shall duly record its proceedings.

15. Branches — The Council may start new branches of the Society or sanction the conversion of the existing affiliated bodies into branches, in order to further the objects of the Society. Such branches shall be managed by a Committee of consisting of members of those branches, which shall act under the general control of the Executive Committee.

16. Affiliated bodies — Subject to the approval of the Council the Executive Committee may create new affiliations or affiliate existing bodies doing work similar to that of the Society provided these bodies agree :

(a) To work in a way not inconsistent with the aims and ideals of the Parent
    Society.
(b) To place two members of the Council (to be annually elected by that body)
    on their Committee to represent the Society.
(c) To contribute 5 per cent of their income to the funds of the Society.
(d) To submit a duly adopted annual report of their work and accounts so as to
    reach the General Secretary before the first of every February.

Except for these conditions of affiliation the Affiliated Bodies shall be independent in the conduct of their affairs.

17. Associated Bodies — The Council may associate with the Mission any other body if in its opinion the sympathy and co-operation so secured are calculated to further the aims of the Mission.

18. Board of Trustees — There shall be a Board of three Trustees elected by the Council to take charge of all the immovable property of the Society and such of the funds as may be from time to time assigned to the Board by the Council as Permanent Endowments. The Council shall not hold in its possession more than two thousand Rupees beyond the estimated amount of the annual expenses. All sums in excess of the above limit shall be assigned to the Trust.

18. Quorum — Twelve members shall constitute the quorum of the general body; six, of the Council and three, of the Executive Committee.

19. No alteration can be made in the objects and constitution of the Society as defined herein in Rules 2 (Objects) Rule 3 and 4 (Missionaries and Board of Spiritual and Social Ministry), 8 (Council) and 11 (Executive Committee).

APPENDIX P

D. C. M. SOCIETY OF INDIA

Donations
(from 18 October, 1906 — to 31 December 1908)
Table (To see the list click here.)