Khadayata
Encyclopedia
Khadayata is a Baniya community among Hindus which originated in the state of Gujarat in India
. It has existence across the world. The people of this community are known for business activities.
of the community members began in the earlier part of this century. At that time a vast majority of the families lived in villages in and around Gujarat. The education level of most of the members was very low with the main occupation of trading of commodities. only a few educated community members were living in cities such as Bombay and Ahmedabad
.
A few Khadayata community members living in Bombay started an organization "Khadayata Samaj" in the year 1912. These well-wishers recognized that higher education
was the only way to advance the fate of younger members of the community. Hence the very first activity of the Samaj was to establish facilities and scholarship funds for the higher education of the children of Khadayatas.
It is difficult for us to realize the situation that existed at that time. Many of the villages or fairly large communities did not have facilities for even primary education
. The students from villages, where most of the Khadayata families were settled, had to live with their relatives in the cities to obtain primary education. Education for the girls was almost nonexistent.
The first convention of Khadayatas, the Khadayata Parishad, was convened at Nadiad
in 1914 and was attended by delegates from many parts of Gujarat. The convention passed resolutions to establish scholarship funds to provide financial assistance to the needy students. Khadayata Education society (Kelavani Mandal) was established in the year 1916 to serve the financial needs of the sons and daughters of the community members. The funds were distributed as scholarships and interest-free loans for studies in schools, colleges and foreign education. This organization has been at the center of the growth of education of many Khadayata community members for the last 80 years. During the last 90 years thousands of students have benefited from the funds made available by the Mandal.
Since the first Parishad more than a dozen Parishads have been arranged. Each of them has addressed the timely issues and made progressive resolutions to meet the financial, educational and social needs of the community. This proves the dynamic nature of the community and willingness to ride the tides of time to stay afloat.
The community members were keenly aware of the problems facing students from villages where educational facilities were practically nonexistent. It was essential to live away from home, usually at a relative's house, for the youngsters to attend even a primary school. A movement was started to establish lodging and boarding facilities for the students in major cities. Presently more than 10 facilities are available for the students. Obviously the needs of the students have changed and many of these facilities are now used by students pursuing college and post graduate studies
.
During the early part of this century the community leaders observed the status of women and young girls and they did not like what they saw. The educational level was extremely low, the girls were getting married at a very young, as low as 14 years, and in many unfortunate cases they were widowed at the age of 15 or so. In order to promote higher education and training for these needy women, an organization Woman's Advancement or Development society (Mahila Vikas Mandal) was established. This organization provided facilities for the training in small-scale business and funds for the necessary equipment.
AS the educational level of the community members improved, many of them moved to the bigger cities such as Bombay, Ahmedabad, Baroda etc. for employment. Their main problem was to find a place to live. The community philanthropists donated funds and facilities to start guest houses in the big cities. Such facilities provided a place to live for a short period for the newly employed youngsters. Additional facilities for the community members who needed temporary place to live during medical treatment or hospitalization etc. were also established in the major cities.
During the later years the community leaders recognized a need for providing financial assistance to the needy families when times were tough for them. An organization, Janata Charitable Trust, was established to provide help to Khadayata families.
The community extended its activities to the service of God (Ishtadevata) by building a new temple and a guest house at Mahudi
(popularly known as Kotyarkdham) during the sixties. Subsequently facilities have been added at Gokul and Nathdwara
for the pilgrims from the community.
Other areas of organized activities include youth meetings, trade assistance and training, group weddings, co-operative stores and financing organizations, business assistance and limited access schools for specific areas of education.
A broad overview of the activities of the organizations serving the Khadayatas gives a distinct impression of progressive views and leadership qualities of the workers. They have observed the social, political and economic changes taking place in the society and have adjusted their efforts to provide necessary services to the community members.
At the beginning of 21st century Khadayata families are spread over the entire world. They cover all continents of the world, all states of India
. No matter where they live, they have never forgotten the roots and have maintained close relationships with their fellow Khadayatas.
Barack Obama
's transition team's advisory board.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. It has existence across the world. The people of this community are known for business activities.
History
The history of Khadayata community traces back approximately 700 years. The original families seem to have come from a village named "Khadat" in North Gujarat. However a formal organizationFormal organization
Formal organization is a fixed set of rules of intra-organization procedures and structures. As such, it is usually set out in writing, with a language of rules that ostensibly leave little discretion for interpretation...
of the community members began in the earlier part of this century. At that time a vast majority of the families lived in villages in and around Gujarat. The education level of most of the members was very low with the main occupation of trading of commodities. only a few educated community members were living in cities such as Bombay and Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad also known as Karnavati is the largest city in Gujarat, India. It is the former capital of Gujarat and is also the judicial capital of Gujarat as the Gujarat High Court has its seat in Ahmedabad...
.
A few Khadayata community members living in Bombay started an organization "Khadayata Samaj" in the year 1912. These well-wishers recognized that higher education
Higher education
Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
was the only way to advance the fate of younger members of the community. Hence the very first activity of the Samaj was to establish facilities and scholarship funds for the higher education of the children of Khadayatas.
It is difficult for us to realize the situation that existed at that time. Many of the villages or fairly large communities did not have facilities for even primary education
Primary education
A primary school is an institution in which children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as primary or elementary education. Primary school is the preferred term in the United Kingdom and many Commonwealth Nations, and in most publications of the United Nations Educational,...
. The students from villages, where most of the Khadayata families were settled, had to live with their relatives in the cities to obtain primary education. Education for the girls was almost nonexistent.
The first convention of Khadayatas, the Khadayata Parishad, was convened at Nadiad
Nadiad
Nadiad is a city and an administrative center of the Kheda district in the Indian state of Gujarat.The city is famous for its socio-educational-religious humanitarian services led by Santram Mandir and supported by institutions of higher learning such as Dharamsinh Desai University, Muljibhai...
in 1914 and was attended by delegates from many parts of Gujarat. The convention passed resolutions to establish scholarship funds to provide financial assistance to the needy students. Khadayata Education society (Kelavani Mandal) was established in the year 1916 to serve the financial needs of the sons and daughters of the community members. The funds were distributed as scholarships and interest-free loans for studies in schools, colleges and foreign education. This organization has been at the center of the growth of education of many Khadayata community members for the last 80 years. During the last 90 years thousands of students have benefited from the funds made available by the Mandal.
Since the first Parishad more than a dozen Parishads have been arranged. Each of them has addressed the timely issues and made progressive resolutions to meet the financial, educational and social needs of the community. This proves the dynamic nature of the community and willingness to ride the tides of time to stay afloat.
The community members were keenly aware of the problems facing students from villages where educational facilities were practically nonexistent. It was essential to live away from home, usually at a relative's house, for the youngsters to attend even a primary school. A movement was started to establish lodging and boarding facilities for the students in major cities. Presently more than 10 facilities are available for the students. Obviously the needs of the students have changed and many of these facilities are now used by students pursuing college and post graduate studies
Graduate school
A graduate school is a school that awards advanced academic degrees with the general requirement that students must have earned a previous undergraduate degree...
.
During the early part of this century the community leaders observed the status of women and young girls and they did not like what they saw. The educational level was extremely low, the girls were getting married at a very young, as low as 14 years, and in many unfortunate cases they were widowed at the age of 15 or so. In order to promote higher education and training for these needy women, an organization Woman's Advancement or Development society (Mahila Vikas Mandal) was established. This organization provided facilities for the training in small-scale business and funds for the necessary equipment.
AS the educational level of the community members improved, many of them moved to the bigger cities such as Bombay, Ahmedabad, Baroda etc. for employment. Their main problem was to find a place to live. The community philanthropists donated funds and facilities to start guest houses in the big cities. Such facilities provided a place to live for a short period for the newly employed youngsters. Additional facilities for the community members who needed temporary place to live during medical treatment or hospitalization etc. were also established in the major cities.
During the later years the community leaders recognized a need for providing financial assistance to the needy families when times were tough for them. An organization, Janata Charitable Trust, was established to provide help to Khadayata families.
The community extended its activities to the service of God (Ishtadevata) by building a new temple and a guest house at Mahudi
Mahudi
Mahudi is a village near the river Sabarmati. This village is in Mansa Taluka of Gandhinagar District. Gandhinagar is 35 km. away and Ahmedabad is 70 km. away. Nearby town is Vijapur, which is 6 km. away.- Mahudi Tirth :...
(popularly known as Kotyarkdham) during the sixties. Subsequently facilities have been added at Gokul and Nathdwara
Nathdwara
Nathdwara is a town in Rajasthan state of western India. It is located in the Aravalli hills, on the banks of the Banas River in Rajsamand District, 48 kilometers north-east of Udaipur. This town is famous for its temple of Krishna which houses the idol of Shrinathji, a 14th century, 7-year old...
for the pilgrims from the community.
Other areas of organized activities include youth meetings, trade assistance and training, group weddings, co-operative stores and financing organizations, business assistance and limited access schools for specific areas of education.
A broad overview of the activities of the organizations serving the Khadayatas gives a distinct impression of progressive views and leadership qualities of the workers. They have observed the social, political and economic changes taking place in the society and have adjusted their efforts to provide necessary services to the community members.
At the beginning of 21st century Khadayata families are spread over the entire world. They cover all continents of the world, all states of India
States and territories of India
India is a federal union of states comprising twenty-eight states and seven union territories. The states and territories are further subdivided into districts and so on.-List of states and territories:...
. No matter where they live, they have never forgotten the roots and have maintained close relationships with their fellow Khadayatas.
Well Known Khadayatas
Sonal Shah - a Visha Khadayata - who is a part of US PresidentPresident of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
's transition team's advisory board.
External links
- http://khadayatajyoti.com
- http://www.khadayatasurksha.org
- http://www.khadayata.net
- http://www.ksna.org
- http://www.khadayataonline.com/