Delhi Sourashtra Association

OUR JOURNEY – ROOTED IN HERITAGE, UNITED IN DELHI

The Delhi Sourashtra Association (DSA) is a community organization dedicated to bringing together members of the Sourashtra community residing in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). The Association was born from a shared vision among senior members of the community to unite Sourashtra families who were scattered across Delhi and nearby areas, while preserving their rich cultural heritage, traditions, language, and values.

THE BEGINNING – A COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER

The story of the Delhi Sourashtra Association began in the 1970s, when the Sourashtra community in Delhi was still small, with only a handful of families and members. During those early years, community members would occasionally come together for gatherings, with expenses supported through contributions and sponsorships.

As the community grew, a need was felt for a common platform that could bring Sourashtra people across Delhi together. Inspired by this vision, several senior and respected members of the community came forward to establish an organized association.

Among the senior members who took the initiative were Shri Seetharam, Shri Subram, Shri Ramalingam, Shri Balamoorthy, Shri S. R. Chandrasekar, Shri S. R. Subramanian, Shri K. R. Subramanian, Shri G. R. Viswanathan, Shri Balasubramanian, Shri T.J. Jayaraman, Shri T.J. Shantaram, Shri R. S. S. Nathan, Shri T. R. Radhakrishnan, and others.

Their collective vision gave birth to the Delhi Sourashtra Association—an organization founded on unity, community spirit, and a desire to keep the Sourashtra identity alive in Delhi.

FROM A SMALL COMMUNITY TO AN ORGANIZED ASSOCIATION

During the 1980s, the Sourashtra community in Delhi gradually increased, particularly as young members of the community qualified through Staff Selection Commission (SSC) examinations and received appointments in New Delhi and surrounding areas.

With the growing number of community members, the next generation of Association members took steps to establish the organization formally. In 1985, Shri K. R. Kishore Kumar, a businessman and former Secretary, came forward and provided his flat address at Rampura for the formal registration of the Association.

Following registration, the Association conducted elections for its office-bearers and opened a bank account in the name of the Association. Periodic meetings and gatherings were organized, with expenses supported either by the Association or through sponsorships from Sourashtra families representing different parts of Delhi, including the North, South, West, and East areas.

BUILDING A PERMANENT COMMUNITY PRESENCE

As the Association developed, the need for a larger and permanent place for community meetings became increasingly important.

The office-bearers approached the then Urban Development Minister Shri Jaypal Reddy, with the assistance of the late Shri P. Mohan, Member of Parliament from Madurai Constituency, with the hope of obtaining a plot for the Association in the Janakpuri area near Tihar Jail.

The estimated cost of the proposed plot was around ₹18 lakh. As the Association did not have sufficient funds at the time, Shri R. S. S. Nathan and Shri K. R. Kishore Kumar took the initiative to mobilize financial support from Sourashtra business communities and voluntary philanthropists.

Although the process faced considerable delays and the proposed allotment did not materialize, the effort demonstrated the determination and commitment of the community’s members to establish a permanent home for their Association. The donations collected for the proposed project were subsequently returned to the donors.

CHALLENGES AND RESILIENCE

Over the years, the Association faced several challenges. Beginning in 2005, the retirement of senior members affected the focused coordination of the Association. Nevertheless, meetings continued intermittently and the spirit of community service remained alive.

The COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions on public gatherings brought the Association’s meetings and activities to a halt. Following the sudden demise of the then President, Shri Kishore Kumar, in 2023, the Association’s organized activities became considerably weaker.

Even during this difficult period, prominent members, including Shri R. Ganesh and others, continued to extend assistance to needy members of the Sourashtra community. Their continued service reflected the enduring spirit of mutual support upon which the Association was founded.

A NEW CHAPTER – REVIVAL AND RENEWAL

Today, the Delhi Sourashtra Association is entering a new chapter of revival and renewal.

A new generation of enthusiastic members has come forward with the determination to revive and strengthen this long-standing community organization. Their efforts represent a continuation of the vision of the pioneers who first came together decades ago to unite the Sourashtra community in Delhi.

The Association looks forward to building upon its legacy with renewed energy, wider participation, and greater involvement from members of all generations.

Our journey is not merely a record of the past—it is a foundation for the future.