Devadiga Youth Conclave, 2023

organised by
Devadiga Youth Wing, Mumbai
on 27th August, 2023 at Wild Camp Resort, Khodala.

Devadiga Sangha Mumbai (“DSM”) sponsored a youth centric event under the name and style Devadiga Youth Conclave, 2023 (“DYC”) held on Sunday, 27th August, 2023 at Wild Camp Resort, Khodala (“WCR”) organised by Youth Wing, Devadiga Sangha Mumbai (“DYW”) under the leadership of Adv. Brijesh Nittekar, Chairman, Youth Wing, DSM. DYC was spearheaded by Mr. Rakesh Devadiga, Co-Chairman (Education), Youth Wing, DSM who strategized and planned the event to bring in maximum youth participation alongwith Mr. Sachin Devadiga, Co-Chairman (Sports), Youth Wing, DSM and with the assistance of Promotion Team who promoted the Event for maximum reach.

WCR is nestled on the mountainous range of Khodala hill station, just 100 kms from Thane. Khodala is a serene & calm village located at an altitude of 1800 feet. WCR is truly a natures paradise & a dream come true for every nature lover. WCR is surrounded by lush green forest, colourful flowers & plants, singing & dancing birds and mesmerizing scenic view of the Khodala hills. The rich flora & fauna, mountainous range and waterfalls, make WCR an ideal destination to connect with nature. Considering the aforesaid reasons WCR was short-listed and subsequently finalised as the perfect getaway destination for DYC.

DSM had sponsored DYC for its Youth Members i.e. Members falling within the age groups of 18 to 40 years. The prime objective of organising DYC was to encourage youth participation in DSM. Youth Members from all the 10 LCCs of DSM aggregating to 197 Youth Members, participated in DYC.
Bearing in mind that DYC was scheduled to start in full swing at 9.30 AM, buses from the initial pick-up point from various locations started at 5.00 AM to reach WCR.

The Event started post breakfast, served by WCR. As per our tradition before initiating any important event, we seek blessings from the Almighty. Accordingly, DYC commenced with Prayer to Almighty offered by Ms. Nikita Gujaran, Youth Member, Chembur LCC and Ms. Kanyashri Devadiga, Youth Member, City LCC.

The entire event was hosted by Ms. Megha Devadiga, Youth Secretary, Youth Wing, DSM.
Immediately after prayer ceremony was over, Ms. Megha Devadiga invited Adv. Brijesh S. Nittekar, Chairman, Youth Wing, DSM on the dais. He welcomed the Managing Committee Members, Senior Members, the Youth Wing Co-Chairmans/Co-Chairpersons alongwith their Deputies (who were present) and the Organising Committee Members with a floral bouquet as a token of appreciation and gratitude. Then, he spoke in brief about the inception of Sangha and Youth Wing and concluded his speech by sharing the Objectives that DSM intends to achieve through DYC.

Subsequently, Ms. Megha Devadiga invited the Youth Wing Co-Chairmans/Co-Chairpersons alongwith their Deputies (who were present) in succession, on the dais.

Mr. Sachin Devadiga, Co-Chairman (Sport), Youth Wing, DSM alongwith Mr. Vignesh Devadiga, Deputy to Co-Chairman (Sport), Youth Wing, DSM, came first and spoke on the sports events already organised and the events they intend to organise provided they receive good response. They also spoke on the short-term plans and the long-term plans and the challenges that they are facing.

Followed by Ms. Tanvi Devadiga, Co-Chairperson (Cultural), Youth Wing, DSM alongwith Mrs. Kasturi Moily, Deputy to Co-Chairperson (Cultural), Youth Wing, DSM spoke on what is culture? What is the objective of Cultural Committee? and laid down the roadmap for cultural events.

After that Ms. Priya Devadiga, Co-Chairperson (Corporate Social Responsibility), Youth Wing, DSM, spoke on what is CSR? How can CSR be beneficial to DSM? and shared the roadmap for CSR i.e. her views on how fundraising through CSR activity can empower DSM and what are the effective channels to achieve the desired goal?

Afterwards, Mr. Rakesh Devadiga, Co-Chairman (Education), Youth Wing, DSM, spoke on the importance of having more educated class in Devadiga Community, encourage skill development, promote entrepreneurial mindset and provide guidance for UPSC/MPSC etc. He also spoke on the educational events already organised and announced the upcoming educational events.

Finally, Ms. Sonali Devadiga, Co-Chairperson (Placement & Training), Youth Wing, DSM, spoke on the aspect of introducing an empowering initiative to provide comprehensive Placement & Training support to the individuals belonging to Devadiga Community. Further, she stressed on industry focused training, personalised skill development, job placement assistance for fresh Graduates and/or experienced professionals aiming to upskill and importance of networking. She concluded by putting across the roadmap for Placement & Training. It would be relevant to mention that throughout the session Ms. Sonali Devadiga was assisted by Mrs. Bhagyashri Devadiga, Deputy to Co-Chairperson (Placement & Training).

Later, Mr. Harish Devadiga, Advisor/Immediate Ex-Chairman, Youth Wing, DSM, shared his views pertaining to strategic networking i.e. connecting with people and building relationships has several benefits such as career opportunities, self-development, visibility, meeting new people, exchange of information, new perspective, innovative thinking etc. He also spoke on how to network and networking within Devadiga Youths.

Then, Mr. Deekshith Devadiga, Advisor/Ex-Chairman, Youth Wing, DSM, shared his views with respect to selfless contribution towards Sangha i.e. doing things that are beneficial to others. Community service demands time, money, talent and ideas in the task of building the Community. All efforts in the right direction are acts of selflessness aimed at serving the Community and helping the less privileged individuals to develop their potentials.

Subsequently, Mr. Naresh Devadiga, Vice-President (Youth Mentor), DSM, in a nutshell informed the attendees about DSM and the aims and objectives of DSM. He also spoke on DSM Arogya Niddhi for medical assistance, DSM Vidya Niddhi for education related programs, initiative towards organizing educational camps – visit to Industry/Corporate Companies, with a view to generate job opportunities for Devadiga Youths, adoption of digital mode of fund transfer for donation to DSM and membership drive i.e. registration/enrolment of new youth members and encourage existing youth members to upgrade membership etc. He concluded on the note that Youth Members of DSM should participate actively in the initiatives taken by DSM.

Thereafter, Mr. Pravin Narayan, President, DSM was glad to share with the audience in his opening statement that DSM intends to mobilise funds worth Rs.10 Crores. The said funds shall be utilised to build an Educational Institution in the name of DSM and to achieve other noble causes undertaken by DSM at the cusp of completing 100 years. He spoke in particular on what is CSR? How much should be the CSR? CSR is applicable to whom? Through graphical representation of data he shared CSR expenditure in India over the years, CSR spending Statewise, CSR expenditure by various Sectors in India and Top Companies for CSR in India. He concluded on the note that Youth Members of DSM should come forward and take lead in generating revenue through CSR activities for DSM.

Last but not the least, Mr. Sachin Devadiga, Co-Chairman (Sports), Youth Wing, DSM and Ms. Sonali Devadiga, Co-Chairperson (Placement & Training), Youth Wing, DSM conducted a group discussion session on DSM at 100 years. The session was interactive and the attendees freely shared their thoughts, views and ideas with respect to the kind of events/programs/activities that should be initiated/organised by DSM.

Apart from being an edifying event, attending DYC had its own perks i.e. Cash Prize of Rs.5,000/- to the LCC that registers/enrolls maximum new membership and Trophy to the LCC generating maximum Youth participation. Trophy was won by Dombivali LCC.

Vote of thanks was given by Ms. Nikita Gujaran, Youth Member, Chembur LCC. She thanked all the speakers and all the participants who shared their views and ideas for DSM@100 years. She sincerely thanked DSM’s President, Mr. Pravin Narayan and the Vice-President (Youth Mentor), Mr. Naresh Devadiga, for gracing the occasion with their gracious presence and for all the support received to organize DYC. She thanked DSM’s, Youth Wing Chairman, Adv. Brijesh Nittekar, for following the required protocols to avail sponsorship from DSM for DYC and also for personally sponsoring Notepad and Pen for DYC. She also thanked DSM’s, Youth Wing Co-Chairman (Education), Mr. Rakesh Devadiga, who alongwith Youth Wing Co-Chairman (Sport), Mr. Sachin Devadiga, spearheaded DYC. Further, she thanked Mr. Rakesh Devadiga for personally sponsoring Wristbands for DYC. She thanked each and every Youth Member of the Organising Committee of DYC, in particular, the Promotion Team and the Logistic Team for making DYC a memorable journey for all of us. She on behalf of the Organizing Committee conveyed deep regards and gratitude towards the Managing Committee of DSM for taking the necessary steps to generously sponsor DYC for the Youth Members of DSM. It would have been practically impossible to organize DYC on such a short notice without the guidance and support received from DSM, in particular, she thanked Mr. Pravin Narayan, President, Mr. Naresh Devadiga, Vice-President (Youth Mentor), Mr. Vasu Devadiga, Ex-President, Mrs. Prafulla Devadiga, Chairperson, Matrimonial Wing, Mrs. Jayanthi Devadiga, Chairperson, Ladies Wing, Mrs. Jayanthi Raghu Moily, Ex-Chairperson, Ladies Wing, Mr. Vishwanath Devadiga, Hon. Gen. Secretary, Mr. Prabhakar Devadiga, Chairman, Public Relation Activities, Mr. Mohandas Gujaran, Chairman, Devadiga Sports Club, Mrs. Surekha Devadiga, Jt. Treasurer, Mr. Nithesh Devadiga, Jt. Secretary and Mrs. Poornima Devadiga, Chairperson, Social & Cultural Wing for attending, supporting and encouraging the Youth Wing wholeheartedly. She specially thanked Mr. Hiriadka Mohandas, Ex-President for always being a guiding light for the Youth Wing. She also thanked other Senior Members of DSM who attended DYC. She also thanked Mr. Manjunath Devadiga, Manager, Wild Camp Resort, Khodala, for making all the required arrangements within record time. Last but not the least, she thanked all the participants for attending DYC and making it a grand success.

The first half of the Event concluded with vote of thanks by Ms. Nikita Gujaran, Youth Member, Chembur LCC and post lunch everyone dispersed for fun activities offered by WCR. In the evening high tea was served, subsequent to which the attendees departed from WCR.

It would be appropriate to mention few out of the many references with regards to behind-the-scenes effort taken by Youth Members of the Organising Committee. Mr. Nithesh Devadiga, Jt. Secretary, DSM prepared the online registration form to be filled by the participant who intended to attend DYC. Mrs. Ashwini Devadiga, Advisor, Youth Wing, DSM prepared the entire day’s schedule and the power-point presentation of all the speakers based on the inputs/information received from the concerned members. The event was vigorously promoted by the Promotion Team consisting of Ms. Priya Devadiga, Co-Chairperson (Corporate Social Responsibility), Youth Wing, DSM, Mr. Vinish Devadiga, Youth Secretary, Youth Wing, Dombivali LCC, Ms. Vidya Devadiga, Youth Member, Asalpha LCC and Ms. Tanvi Devadiga, Co-Chairperson (Cultural), Youth Wing, DSM. Logistic/Travel arrangement was managed by Mr. Uttej Devadiga, Secretary, Youth Wing, Borivali LCC, Mr. Deekshith Devadiga, Advisor/Ex-Chairman, Youth Wing, DSM, Mr. Sachin Devadiga, Co-Chairman (Sports), Youth Wing, DSM, Mr. Sachin Devadiga, Youth Member, Navi Mumbai LCC and Mr. Atish Devadiga, Youth Member, Dombivali LCC. The concept of sharing e-certificate with the attendees of DYC was the brainchild of Ms. Priya Devadiga, Co-Chairperson (Corporate Social Responsibility), Youth Wing, DSM. She drafted, designed and finalised the e-certificate for the participants of DYC under the guidance of Mr. Naresh Devadiga, Vice-President (Youth Mentor), DSM and by availing technical support of Mr. Nithesh Devadiga, Jt. Secretary, DSM. Mr. Deekshith Devadiga, Advisor/Ex-Chairman, Youth Wing, DSM, on a short notice had taken-up the arduous task to arrange for customised Jersey for the interested Organising Committee Members. Infact, at the time of placing the order he was out of station; however, he made sure that the Apparel Manufacturer delivers the customised Jerseys on time. The entire event was beautifully captured by Mr. Prabhakar Devadiga, Chairman, Public Relation Activities, DSM. Further, the overall arrangement and coordination with the Organising Committee Members for the entire event was proficiently done by the Youth Office Bearers of Youth Sub-committee and Youth LCC. Moreover, without the generous financial support from Devadiga Sangha Mumbai executing an Event of this stature would have been a Herculean task.

Expenses pertaining to WCR and Transport including snacks during the journey, to and for, were fully sponsored by DSM. Note-pad and pen for all the participants of DYC was sponsored by Adv. Brijesh S. Nittekar, Chairman, Youth Wing, DSM and Wristband for all the participants of DYC was sponsored by Mr. Rakesh Devadiga, Co-Chairman (Education), Youth Wing, DSM.