YMBA
Our Heritage
Preserving Our Legacy Since 1936
For nine decades, the Young Men’s Bovi Association has stood as a pillar of strength, unity, and cultural preservation for the Moyar community.
Regd. under the Societies Registration Act 1860 · Bombay Public Trust Act 1950 / F-57(B)
23/43, Vaju Kotak Marg, Fort, Mumbai – 400 001 · 80G: AAATT0737BF20221
The Young Men’s Bovi Association (popularly known as YMBA) is one of the foremost community associations of Moyars in Mumbai. Established by a handful of young men of our community in 1936, YMBA has stood strong for nine decades by rendering dedicated services through community-oriented welfare schemes.
From the beginning, the association has worked for the unity, development, welfare, and upliftment of the Moyar community. It is 90 years now — nine completed decades of service — and YMBA continues to honour this enduring legacy.
“A community that forgets its past is like a tree without roots. We gather not just to remember, but to grow stronger together.”— YMBA founding spirit, since 1936
Time has changed, and so have the needs of our community. On 6th January 2019, YMBA re-iterated and published its broad vision and mission for the next five years — medical and educational assistance, community matrimony, business promotion, and a community hall for Moyars in or around Mumbai.
All these welfare schemes and visions can be completed only with the wholehearted support of our well-wishers, members, patrons, and philanthropic donors. We thank you for standing with YMBA all these years.
Our roots — the Moyar / Bovi journey
Our Mission
- school Facilitate educational assistance and excellence prizes for needy children.
- handshake Foster matrimonial bonds and community networking through our matrimony platform.
- medical_services Facilitate medical assistance and social relief for families in need.
- account_balance Preserve and celebrate Moyar cultural heritage, language, and traditions.
A Legacy Etched in Time
Generations of leaders have strengthened YMBA, each leaving an indelible mark on our collective history.
Welfare Activities
A summary of some of the services YMBA has carried out for our community over the decades.
Library & Literature
A library of Kannada and English books for members, and the literary magazine BELLI — now published half-yearly as MOYAR.
Education Support
Uniforms and notebooks for Bovi schools at Uchila, Udyawara and Aila; interest-free loans for higher and professional studies; yearly excellence prizes.
Kalavibhagha
Stage opportunities for amateur artistes — skits in Kannada and Moya Malayalam during anniversary celebrations.
Relief Schemes
Cancer relief fund and Tragedy Relief Yojana (TRY) to support patients and families after untimely loss of a breadwinner.
Moya Nagari
A 3.7-acre weekend picnic spot at Chon Gaon, Badlapur, with greenery and 4 cottage rooms at nominal rates.
Community Network
Online and offline events for budding talent, and creation of a MOYA database of Moyars across the globe.
The Journey of YMBA
The Journey expand_more
The Bovis originally being a nomadic tribe and the palki bearers and servants at the courts of kings, they had a joint family system.
The story tells that once when Tippu Sultan attacked Kodagu, this group of people were scattered to different places. A group came to the coast of the Kerala–Karnataka border and took up mainly fishing as their occupation. Bovis are also known as Moyars.
Moyars are worshipers of Aadi Shakti or Aadi Maya in the name of Bhagavathi. Moyars have 11 Stanoms (places of Daiva): Vitla, Adka, Udyawara, Vamanjur, Karle, Morai, Aadoor, Maanikottu, Neeleshwara, Kadangot and Kwayangara. The language of Moyars is Moya Malayalam — a mixture of Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada and Tulu. With dedication and hard work, Moyars built three educational institutions from the money they earned after selling fish.
Educational institutions built by Moyars expand_more
- Uchil Bovi’s Educational Institutions, Uchil
- Shree Sharada Bovi’s A.U.P School, Uppala
- Udyawara Bhagawathi A.U.P School, Kanwathirtha
Moyars moved to Mumbai and different parts of the world in search of livelihood. The Young Men’s Bovi Association (YMBA), established in 1936, is one of the foremost institutions of the Moyar community in Mumbai, rendering dedicated services catering to educational, economic, cultural, and social needs.
Educational Activities expand_more
- YMBA provides educational loans for needy children of the Moyar community.
- YMBA honours community students for excellence in SSC (75%+), H.S.C (75%+), graduation, and post-graduation.
- YMBA distributes uniforms to community students of the three schools managed by Moyars at Uchil, Udyawara, and Ail.
Moyar Magazine expand_more
A magazine that gave community members a platform in the literary field. The first book was published during 1940–1945 as a handwritten magazine named Bovitrimasika. It later restarted in the early 1960s as Belli (silver). After 1993 Belli stopped; after a gap of four years, publication restarted as Moyar.
OBC Registration expand_more
Our community belongs to the Other Backward Caste (OBC) category in Karnataka and Kerala. In Maharashtra, our community is not registered under this category, so children here are deprived of this facility. YMBA has taken initiative to register our community in the Maharashtra Gazette.
Social Activities expand_more
YMBA has taken initiatives such as Tragedy Relief Yojana and medical camps in collaboration with hospitals. On 26th August 2018, YMBA organised a medical camp and seminar at Wockhardt Hospital, Miraroad (East).
Support YMBA
Bank details for donations and contributions towards our welfare schemes:
THE YOUNG MEN’S BOVI ASSOCIATION
Abhyudaya Co-operative Bank Ltd.
Fort Branch
006011100016123
ABHY0065006
youngmensbovi@gmail.com