Sree Narayana Mandira Samiti (SNMS) is the biggest Educational and Charitable Trust established at Mumbai in 1963 by a group of devotees of Sree Narayana Guru (1855-1928), who was a visionary saint, philosopher and social reformer, considered as the architect of Kerala Renaissance which brought about revolutionary changes in the social fabric of the country.
Embarked on educational and social service programs in the M ward of Mumbai (Chembur West), which is one of the poorest and most backward areas, SNMS has been able to make a different in the living standards of poor people in the area by providing quality education to thousands of children in these families and enabling them to get employment or to start their own business ventures. Over the years SNMS expanded its humanitarian services through its various regional centers spread across Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra there by making a social stamp.
SNMS is a multicultural organization which firmly follows the principles and ideals of Sree Narayana Guru in the Service of humanity. SNMS services are available to all the general public on a non-discriminatory basis.
Aims and Objectives of the Samiti are:-
1. To establish, conduct, maintain and manage Educational Institutions for the overall benefit of South Indians in general and Malayalees in particular.
2. To start libraries and reading rooms.
3. To establish students’ homes and public halls.
4. To aid, establish and provide charitable dispensaries, health care centers, etc.
5. To promote social and cultural activities by providing cultural centers and athletic facilities.
6. To constitute a Core Committee / Body comprising of experts drawn from different disciplines which will function under the overall control of the Board / General Council of the Samiti to ensure professionalism and efficient management of the various educational institutions established/run by it.
7. To establish and operate Sree Narayana Guru mission offices any where in India.
8. To promote any other activities for the benefit of the general public in furtherance of the above objectives of the Samiti.
The Samiti (SNMS) has been registered under Societies Registration Act of 1860 (Registration No.BOM/44/1964 dated 8th April 1964) and Bombay Public Trust Act of 1950 (Registration No.F-1185 (BOM) dated 17th July 1964).
The main areas of activity of SNMS are education, vocational training, skill development, entrepreneurship, healthcare, cultural, sports and other humanitarian assistance for the benefit of the general public with special focus on the poor and weaker sections of the society. SNMS has its registered office at Dadar (Navin Asha,126 Dadasaheb Phalke Road, Dadar (C.Rly), Mumbai 400014) and administrative headquarters at Chembur (Sree Narayana Nagar, PL Lokhande Marg,Chembur (West), Mumbai 400089). There are 41 regional units in Mumbai and surrounding districts of Maharashtra. These include 21 Guru Centers where the SNMSi has its own office set up. SNMS also has an International Center for Philosophical Studies and research at Gurudevagiri, Nerul (NaviMumbai).
SNMS has about 15000 Life Members and 1000Patrons who work as volunteers and also financially contribute to the working of SNMS . Memebership / Partronship is open to all with out any discrimination. SNMS has been notified by Maharashtra Govt. as a minority institution on the basis of language (Malayalam). Its educational complex (schools and colleges) are located at Chembur where it has schools and colleges providing education facilities right from pre-primary to post graduate levels. An International School is also operating at Ulwe, NavMumbai. The total student community is about 7000. The Samiti also provides employment to about 150 teaching and non-teaching staff. However, the main drive of SNMS activities consist of voluntary service from Members, Patrons and well wishers. Generous donations from members, corporates and well wishers over the years has helped SNMS to grow and expand its humanitarian activities to a large section of people, especially to make a difference in the living standards of poor people .
The Samiti has been granted Income-Tax Exemption Certificate under Section 80G of the Indian Income Tax Act, 1961, which entitles the donors to get Income Tax rebate on the donations given to the Samiti.
The various educational institutions functioning under the Management of the Samiti are:
Sree Narayana Guru College of Commerce (Aided)
SNG College of Commerce, Science and Management (Self Financing);
SNG Junior College of Commerce & Science (Aided and Self Financing)
SNG College of Education (BEd)
SNG Civil Service Academy
SNG International School (Ulwe, Navi Mumbai)
SNG Central School, Chembur
SNG High School (English Medium)
SNG High School (Marathi Medium)
SNG Pre-Primary School
kumaran Asan Nursery School.
SNMS also has temple complexes at Gurudevagiri (Nerul), Sakinaka and Malad. At Gurudevagiri, It has also established an international center for SNG studies with a well equipped library and research facilities on Philosophy. The inauguration of the International Centre for Sree Narayana Guru Studies was performed by Shri. K.R.Narayanan, former President of India on 12th February 2005.
Samiti received the Holy teeth , the only mortal remains of Sree Narayana Guru (one wisdom tooth and four artificial teeth used by the Guru) on 11th January 2004. The Holy teeth are kept in a specially constructed temple at Gurudevagiri complex. The Holy teeth of the Guru are kept for darshan of the devotees on Gurudevagiri Teerthadanan day held in the first week of February every year.
SNMS also offers a host of other services to Members and to the general public. These include: Cultural programs, sports facilities, philosophical discourses, seminars, workshops and conferences on various matters of general interest, legal aid programs, alcoholic de addiction programs, health clinics, medical camps, financial aid and scholarships to students, mid-day meal program for schoolchildren, free school uniforms for poor children, skill development programs for college students, employment assistance, etc.
SNMS celebrated its Golden Jubilee as an year long program from February 2013 to April 2014. Several programs are organized during this period to showcase SNMS service activities and plans for future development.
During the Covid 19 Pandemic in the year 2020, SNMS operated a number humanitarian projects to reach help and assistance to a large number of affected people. Food material kits (consisting of groceries and related food items) were distributed to about 900 families. A community kitchen was operated in association with other NGOs to feed about 3000 poor people who lost jobs during the Covid. More importantly, the SNMS youth (YUVA) is operating a 24x7 helpline service and call center (SNMS Yuva Corona Saviours) from Mid-July. They are providing quick assistance and support by way of Doctor consultation, medical supplies, ambulance service, emergency hospitalisation, quarantine and counseling. Hundreds of people and families in and around Mumbai have been provided excellent service by these YUVA volunteers. These services are free of charge operated by YUVA volunteers who work in different teams catering to different service requirements..
SNMS has adopted a Five Year Plan giving shape of its future plans. Important projects are:
1. New educational complexes in Maharashtra, including Engineering colleges , Medical colleges and other technical institutions
2. Deemed University in the name of Sree Narayana Guru
3. Establish Hospitals
4. Senior citizens' facilities (including old age homes)
5. Homes for destitute Children
6.Skill development and self employment centres
7. Helpline and disaster management
8.”Kalakakendra” for promoting cultural and artistic talents.
SNMS is administered by the "Council" composed of Office Bearers, Unit Secretaries and Council Members (6 from each Unit). All of them are elected by Members and hold office for a term of five years and are eligible for re-election. All important policy decisions and administrative decisions are taken by the Council which meets once in two months. The general body of members meets once in a year to examine the annual performance report and to ratify the decisions.
The Board of Management consists of Office Bearers, Unit Secretaries and Patrons. This is the Policy making Body of SNMS and has certain financial powers and the administrative control of educational institutions.The Board meets once in a month and considers the agenda proposed by the Office Bearer group. The Board appoints sub-committees as may be required to provide assistance in specialized areas.
Office Bearers look after the day to day administration of SNMS. They consist of the President, Chairman, Vice-Chairman, General Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Eight Zonal Secretaries representing the 8 Zones. The President chairs the Council meetings and the Chairman presides over Board meetings.
The Founder Chairman and longtime president for more than 40 years, Dr. K K Damodaran was the President Emeritus till his demise in August 2014
Office Bearers for the Period 2022-2027 are:
|
Shri.M.I.Damodaran |
President |
|
Shri.N.Mohandas |
Chairman |
|
Shri.Chandrababu S |
Vice-Chairman |
|
Shri.O.K.Prasad |
General Secretary |
|
Shri.V.N.Anilkumar |
Assistant Secretary |
|
Shri.V V Chandran |
Treasurer |
|
Shri.P Prithweeraj |
Assistant Treasurer |
|
Shri.P.K.Anandan |
Zonal Secretary, Kalyan Zone |
|
Shri.V.V.Muralidharan |
Zonal Secretary, Thane Zone |
|
Mrs.Maya Sahajan |
Zonal Secretary, Bhandup Zone |
|
Shri.K Mohandas |
Zonal Secretary, Chembur Zone |
|
Shri.Unnikrishnan K |
Zonal Secretary, Mira Road Zone |
|
Shri.Hareendran P |
Zonal Secretary Virar Zone |
|
Shri.N.S.Rajan |
Zonal Secretary, Vashi Zone |
|
Shri.P.P.Kamalanandan |
Zonal Secretary, Panvel Zone |
Unit Secretaries and Council Members
For the purpose of smooth functioning, the area of the operation of the Samiti has been divided into eight zones and further divided into units. As on today there are 41 units. Each unit is having one Unit Secretary and six Council Members. Unit Secretaries and Council members are elected by the members falling in the geographical jurisdiction of each unit. They also hold office for 5 years coterminous with the Office Bearers.
Apart from the above set up, various Committees/ Sub-committees have been formed entrusting with them specific tasks.. They also assist the office bearers in the day to day work.The sub-committees are as under.
|
1. |
Cultural Wing |
|
2. |
Womens’ Wing |
|
3. |
Academic Council |
|
4. |
Marriage Bureau |
|
5. |
Gurudevagiri Committee |
|
6. |
Event Management Committee |
|
7. |
Infrastructure Committee |
|
8. |
SNSM Yuva |
|
9. |
Advisory Board |
|
10 |
Planning Board |
|
11 |
Balavedi |
|
12 |
Sports Committee |
|
13 |
Guru Mandiram Committee |
|
14 |
Catering Committee |
|
15 |
Finance Committee |
|
16 |
Fund Raising Committee |
|
17 |
House Keeping |
|
18. |
Education Committee |
|
19. |
SystemManagement Committee |
|
20 |
Gururatnam Editorial Board |
All these committees / sub-committees are composed of convenors and Members approved by the Board. They prepare recommendations in their area of jurisdiction and submit to the Office Bearers for further action..