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VOLUNTRY SOCIAL SERVICE
ORGANISATIONS |
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ORIGIN, GROWTH AND DIRECTION.
IT IS TRUE THAT THE RESPONSIBILITY for introducing
measures to bring about the moral and material progress of a society
lies mainly and primarily on the shoulders of its government. The
ever expanding directions of that progress, however, make it almost
inevitable that the activities of the government should be
supplemented by the efforts of public-spirited individuals and
institutions. The urge for public service is ingrained in many
persons. And that call from within gets exalted into the call of
national duty when a country consciously starts on the journey
towards self-development.
In the course of several decades after the seventies
of the last century, there came to be established in Kolhapur
district, as in other districts of the State, different kinds of
institutions intended to serve the various needs of the community. A
large part of the present district, with its capital city, then
formed the Indian State of Kolhapur. Its rulers inspired the
organisation of several public bodies and patronized them. Many
enthusiastic and selfless workers devoted themselves to the building
up of such bodies which had as their objectives the spread of
education, uplift of backward classes, encouragement to physical
training, giving an impetus to cultural activities like music and
drama etc.
After the merger of Kolhapur State in the State of
Bombay, the old royal patronage was withdrawn. But the momentum
gained by the institutions in the course of their active life for a
number of years did not slow down. Most of them are still thriving
on public support and playing their part in enriching the social and
cultural life of the district. It is the purpose of this chapter to
record briefly the contribution made by the more conspicuous of
these bodies to the progress of the district.
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