“If you cannot learn from History, you cannot create History”. Every Empire, Kingdom, Nation, Various groups and classes go thoro’ ups and downs. Similarly Okkaliga Gowda Samaja has a long history over hundreds of years. Once upon a time, it had reached the peak of its name & fame, with proud, ambitious and courageous kings and queens. The Gowdas of whole of Karnataka and specially of undivided Dakshina Kannada are adventurous and influential. Gowdas are basically agriculturists. Besides it the Gowdas also seem to had taken the swords, setting aside the plow & yoke, against the enemies.

In modern times they have plunged in a big way to education. Good number of educational institutions are established and run by Gowda community. As a matter of fact Gowdas have their own culture and art that is rich in depth and width in traditions. It reflects the life and time of Gowdas. Now a days they have branched out to variety of jobs, industries and politics. Puttur, the epi–centre of Gowdas is no way different. They have a committed and dedicated set of men and women who are ready for any service.

The Okkaliga Samaja was established in the year 1908. Similarly Dakshina Kannada Gowda Vidya Sangha was started in the year 1921 and it helped the progress of our people in terms of education and finance stepping beyond many obstacles. This Sangha helped people who lived in remote villages and far off places. Even before Indian independence our Samaja was actively involved in upliftment of the poor and needy.

After the Independence Gowda Sangha became more active. Being established in 1921, the Dakshina Kannada Gowda Vidya Sangha, established Mahalingeshwara ITI in Puttur, Shree Sharada Girls High School, Shree Sharada Pre University College for Women and Sri Sharada Women’s College in Sullia. In 1996 a mega Gowda Sammelana was staged in Sullia.

But this original Sangha was not able to cater to needs of the whole of our society for many reasons. Year 2000, can be considered as a historical mile stone. All of our society united and established an useful, vibrant and pro-active Okkaliga Gowda Seva Sangha with the blessings and directions of honourable seniors with new bye-laws. Okkaliga Gowda Seva Sangha came to fresh life Registered under Co-operative Society act as per Reg. No. 57/2001-02. It enhanced energy and dynamism to our 75 years old Sangha under the leadership of Mr. Mohan Gowda Idyadka and Mr. Chidananda Bailady.

The present Governing Council has begun membership drive in a big way. It is determined to tread a new path in order to help development in all spheres. The Gowda Samaja of present generation is ambitious, meticulous and determined to present a whole new-world.

We have already started the formation of committees in every Village. By now 68 Grama Samithis (Village Committees) & seven Zones are functioning and keeping touch with every member of our Sangha. We are owning 0.73 acre land in the name of Sangha in the place called Thenkila, adjacent of bypass road, Puttur. We constructed a well furnished community hall cum office measuring about 28,000 square feet building with all requirements, by the name Okkaliga Gowda Samudaya Bhavana.

Coming to the arena of banking, the Okkaliga Samudaya Co-operative Society was started in the year 2002. We are able to maintain this society to function in a more dynamic way. The President Sri Jagannath Bommetti and his team are serving to the best of their ability.

We have few other big projects. The Gowda Sangha should recognise and honour the members who have contributed in the line of social upliftment service. The important senior achievers, award winning Teachers, political and other leaders, Doctors serving in villages, sports persons, Rank-holders will be recognized and honoured. Zonal and Grama Samithis are already doing the splendid services. They celebrate all religious and national festivals in a meaningful way.

The dream of Okkaliga Gowda Samaja is to merge every person of our community to the mainstream. So that the priceless human resource of our community should be unleashed into positive tasks which further helps constructing the Great India in particular and the mankind in general.