Fifty glorious years-and still growing stronger, widening the scope and activities - Rajapur Saraswat Sangh Mumbai - the pioneering efforts of the founding fathers have fructified. The Sangh was founded on the auspicious Ram Navami day on 15th March 1950. The Rajapur Saraswats hailing mostly from Dakshin Kannada wanted to have a common forum aimed at bringing about cooperation and uplift, social entity, economic welfare and development. It was the motto to guide and help youngsters initially in education which is the basic need for economic development and avocation / employment.

Some senior and prominent members headed by Shri Devendra D Prabhu and others met on 15th may 1950 and elected Shri Vaman Salvankar, Putta Nomayya Nayak, Somayya S Nayak, Vithoba S Prabhu, Narayana S Nayak, Subraya R Nayak, Ramachandra V Nayak, Madhav R Patkar, Panduranga M Prabhu, Shivram D Nayak, Shyamrao R Prabhu, Raghavaendra K Prabhu, Vyasaraya V Nayak, Shivaraya D Nayak, Ramachandra D. Bhat and Shayamarao K Borkar as committee members. Shri R.S.Prabhu and Ramachandra V Nayak were the internal auditors. Shri Shivraya D Nayak was the accountant. This was the first congregation of Rajapur Saraswats at Parel, Mumbai, to initiate and regularize the requisite legal formalities. It is sad to note that many of the founding fathers are no more with us today, but the guiding spirit has helped our Sangha's growth. The Sangha was registered under the societies registration oft, 1953. The members contributed generously and office premise was acquired and furnished. It is heartening to note that granting of scholarships was started during the first year of existence. During the second year an act of charity was done. Mr. Bogra A Nayak a hotel worker drawing Rs.10 - 12 a month whose leg was amputated and an artificial leg costing Rs 128 were gifted by the Sangh. Mr. Bogra Nayak started refunding at Rs, 2 per month from his salary.

The Sangh was registered under the societies registration act (act 21 of 1960) on 24 Jan 1953. The activities included granting scholarships to students considering their merit and granting financial help to people in distress. Regular monthly and annual general body meetings were held. The first report containing the activities and accounts dated 12/3/1955 was printed and distributed to members. The used to donate generously.

The second propose behind was to unify the Rajapur Saraswats under a common platform. Many a people though lived close by were strangers to one another at one time. Now the change has taken place and Rajapurkars meet and gather in large numbers on important occasions.

The Sangha started awarding free scholarships and distributing free exercise books from the year 1955-1956 to the deserving students. Besides, loan scholarships (refundable) scheme was started and a large number of students were granted loans to prosecute their education. Instruments to sing bhajans at Sangha's premises were donated. With a view to encourage donation, schemes such as memorial funds, life membership etc., were started.

The first sammelan of Rajapur Sarawats was held at Bantakal from 20 May 1956 and a delegation of Sangha participated very actively in it. Mr. Vasudev Prabhu was accorded a grand welcome on 25 September 1954 on his return from USA. " Shravani Homa " was started from august 1956, at Sangh'a office and the same being continued every year even today. On 17 October 1956, Kum. Kamala Devi (B.A. B.T) was felicitated for her being selected for further studies in England by the govt. of India, the first woman from our community to step into England. The Sangh also placed on record the achievement of gold medallist Shri P. S. Prabhu, for merit in science - B.Sc., B.Sc. (Tech, Chem) from Madras university. It is heartening to note that 2 of our members Shri Subraya Sankhalkar and Shri Shivraya D. Dhonde participated in the "Bhoodan Movement" and "pad yatra" started by Acharya Vinobha Bhave.

Library was started at Sanghs office premises on 3rd October 1957. Books on religion vedic literature, social subjects were made available.

Shri Durga Parmeshwari Co-Op society was founded and registered in 1958 by the efforts and cooperation from our members. The society has been doing yeomen service in respect of giving loans to the needy members. Memorial funds were started - the first being C.G.Nayak memorial fund, with specific purpose of donating the interest. Shyama Nayak Memorial fund was started in Jan 1959.

Tributes were paid to the soul of Shri Shyaam Nayak who passed away on Jan 12 1959. He was mainly instrumental in organizing the Rajapur Saraswats, encouraging vedic studies, renovating and developing / reconstruction of temples at Narake (Laxmipur) and Bantakal (Udupi). The present day purohits of our community are the products mainly by his efforts. A fund was started in his memory and the interest accrued is distributed to Vedic students every year.

The Sangh was registered under the public trusts act (act 29 of 1950) on 29th November 1959(regn. no. f636 bom.). Shri Rayappa S Prabhu M.Sc. , was accorded a reception on 8thaugust 1959 as he was to proceed to USA for higher studies. On 8th September 1960 Mr. P. Shankar Prabhu (M.Tech,Chem. Egg) was accorded a reception for his being selected for higher studies in chemical engineering in USA. He was selected by the govt. of India and went to USA on a stanvac scholarship and had successfully completed his M.Tech at Texas university. It is heartening to note that donations were collected on account of national defense fund and were handed over to Shri D.S.Desai, hon. minister, govt. of Maharashtra.