Chikkamagaluru Jilla Beary Okkuta

Chikkamagaluru

The Chikkamagaluru Jilla Beary Okkuta was established in 2004. After Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, Chikkamagaluru district has the highest number of Bearys, so we decided to establish an organization here. Consequently, my friends B.S. Mohammed, Noor Mohammed (Badru), Mudigere CK Ibrahim, and some others discussed and came forward. Beary leaders from different taluks of this district were contacted, and we received a positive response from all. Initially, Beary leaders from 9 taluks of the district were invited to Chikkamagaluru. We held a meeting on 15.04.2004 in the hall of the DCC bank. In that meeting, Mohammad Baddur from Mangalore, H.B. Abdul Rahman, B.A. Mohammad Ali, and Basheer Baikampadi participated. Then K. Muhammad (Karambar Muhammad) was unanimously elected as the president of Chikkamagaluru Jilla Beary Okkuta. It was decided to proceed with a district tour to appoint office bearers for the district committee and taluk committees in the respective taluks.

Accordingly, President K. Mohammad, B.S. Mohammad, Noor Mohammad (Badru), CK Ibrahim, along with other leaders, visited all the taluks of the district and held meetings. A plebiscite was conducted, and 9 block committees were appointed as office bearers from all blocks to the district committee. Since its establishment, the Chikkamagaluru Jilla Beary Okkuta (R) has emerged as the most powerful Beary organization in the state.

The 4th Beary Sahithya Sammelana was held on 27.02.2007 at Chikkamagaluru District Okkaligara Community Bhavan under the leadership of Chikkamagaluru Jilla Beary Okkuta. It was during the conference that the approval of Beary Sahitya Academy was announced by the state government, fulfilling a long-standing demand of the Beary community.

The then Kannada and Culture Minister of the Government of Karnataka, Shri H.S. Mahadevprasad, was invited by a delegation of District Bearys Union for the closing speech of the conference on 27.02.2007. The delegation explained to him the history of the Bearys, the total population of the Bearys, about Beary literature and culture, and convinced him of the need for a Beary Sahitya Academy. Granting the approval, he announced the sanctioning of the Karnataka Beary Sahitya Academy on the stage of the conference itself.

The 4th Sahitya Sammelna held at Chikkamagaluru on 27.02.2007 was conducted in a grand and highly successful manner, becoming the most successful conference so far. This is a significant contribution to the organization and efforts of Chikkamagaluru Jilla Beary Okkuta.

Furthermore, on behalf of the union, we are placing more emphasis on education for the students of the community. We are providing talent awards, scholarships, and various kinds of assistance and cooperation to students pursuing higher education. Educational camps are regularly conducted. We have been organizing free marriage and medical camps for underprivileged girls. Additionally, we conduct programs focused on Beary language, Beary art, literature, and culture.

Every year, iftar gatherings and Ramadan kits are distributed. The union, which started with a handful of members in 2004, has now grown into a powerful organization with a membership of nearly a thousand. The Chikkamagaluru Jilla Beary Okkuta head office is located at the “Badria Masjid Complex” in Chikkamagaluru. The first president was K. Mohammad from 2004 to 2019.

Haji C.K. Ibrahim served as the second president from 2019 to 2022.

The third president, serving since 2022, is T.M. Naseer. He is effectively leading the union, fulfilling his duties successfully.