Shri. Raosaheb Annasaheb Patil, Borgaon
President, Dakshin Bharat Jain Sabha
Shri. Raosaheb Annasaheb Patil (1944) of Borgaon, Tal. Chikkodi, Dist. Belgavi is a rare personality engaged in social-religious-educational and economic activities in the Northern Karnataka area. He Started his career as a member of local Gram Panchyat and Vyavasaya Sahakari Sangh. He became a member of Taluka-Board and member of Board of Directors of Pancha-ganga Sahakari Sakhar Karakhana (Sugar factory). He is the founder of ‘Shri. Arihant Halu Utpadak Sahakari Sangh’ (Milk Dairy) and ‘shri Arihant Devlopment Society. As a founder president of ‘Shri Arihant Credit Souhard Sahakari Ltd.’ he Struggled hard and could see 25 branches spread over seven Districts in Karnataka. ‘Shri Arihant’ has helped the common people to solve their financial problems. It is considered ‘The Best Souhard Sahakari’ in the state. He is elected to ‘Karnataka Jain Association and his role in the construction of the building (Rs. 6 cores) is being remembered by the trust.
As a ‘Shravak’ he is playing an important role in the Jeernodhara of old temples at Boragaon and the over-all development of ‘Stavanidhi Kshetra’.
He is equally interested in the field of education. He is the chairman of the Development committee of Acharya Deshabhushan Ayurvedic Medical college, Bedkihal-Shamanewadi and founder president of ‘R.A.Patil Industrial Training Institute, Boragaon. He is also serving as the Director of ‘Shri Bahubali College of Engineering, Shravanbelgola’.
His interest in socio-religious-educational development was realized by the public and was elected as a president of ‘Dakshin Bharata Jain Sabha ‘(1899) for two terms. Assuming the charge, he made it clear that he will strive to raise the scholarship fund to cross corere of rupees. His dynamic personality brought it in reality and the scholarship fund of Dakshin Bharat Jain Sabha renewed as Rs. two corers. Another dream to establish Multispecialty Hospital in this area is taking shape.
Shri Raosaheb Patil has been honoured by Various prestigious titles/awards/ puraskaras. Among them ‘Samaj Ratna (2009), and ‘Shravak Ratna’(2015) by Jagadguru Karmayogi Swastishri Charukeerti Swamiji of Shravanbelgol’. The Best Souhard Sahakara (2008),’ Rastriya vikas Ratna’ (2009), ‘Shree puraskar (2013)’, etc. the few examples. Recently Aryika Jnyanmati Mataji honoured him by giving the prestigious ‘ Ganani Aryika shri Jnyanamati Award’ (2015). Thus, a mass leader of rural area is being honoured by national institution & south and North India alike.
Shri Raosaheb Patil always dreams for society and restlessly struggles to bring them into existence. In the real sense of the term he is a dedicated leader of the mass, involved sincerely for the common cause. He is not an individual but an institution and a source of inspiration to his team and followers. His multi-dimensional personality has proved outstanding progress in the field, which he attempted. A man short of stature but made big by the people for his earnest social work. He certainly deserves many more honours which will lead to the development & progress of the community at large.