The Beginning

In 1992, Late Prin. S. Y. Patil Sir and his associates founded the Sahyadri Co-op Credit Society. This was the time when there was no importance, no encouragement, no special status given to the co-operative sector in Karnataka and especially in the disputed area of Belgaum. At the same time, in the neighbouring state of Maharashtra, the co-operative movement was at its peak. In such a negative atmosphere, through the medium of Dakshin Maharashtra Shikshan Mandal, S. Y. Patil Sir and his associates took it upon themselves to start a co-operative credit society, and on 29th January, 1992, the Society was registered under the Co-operative Societies Act and a small beginning was finally made.

Prin. S. Y. Patil Sir was the Secretary of Dakshin Maharashtra Shikshan Mandal, an educational institution founded by Late Bhai Dajiba Desai and his associates. He was also the Principal of Jyoti Mahavidyalaya, a college started for Marathi speaking people of Belgaum and its surrounding areas. Just because it was an institution founded by the Marathi people for Marathi people, the government of Karnataka refused permission and created many obstacles. Under these circumstances, running the colleges was very difficult. At the same time, many high schools were started by the Mandal in rural areas. The teachers in both the colleges as well as the schools worked for a pittance, at times going without a regular salary. Whenever approached, nationalised banks and other local financial institutions never entertained the teachers or the college management. Without financial support and backing, the schools and colleges faced frequent hardships and would soon have to close down. Hence, this prompted S. Y. Patil Sir to moot the idea of starting Sahyadri Co-operative Society. With an initial share capital of Rs. 4 lakh and 300 primary shareholders, The Society was formed and registered. Most of the shareholders were the teachers, employees of the colleges and schools coming under Dakshin Maharashtra Shikshan Mandal, their family members and wellwishers of the Mandal.