The co-operative movement in Maharashtra has played a significant role in the social and economic development of the state . The Maharashtra Co-Operative Societies Act came into operation in 1960. But, much before that some people were making a sincere effort in the city of Mumbai by uniting voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through jointly-owned and democratically-controlled Tenants Welfare Associations.
The unique Reserve Bank Colony , Mumbai Central which was constructed under the guidance of then Reserve Bank Governor Mr. C. D. Deshmukh housed about 600 RBI employees offering them huge playground, club house, Gymnasium and Dispensary. The colony saw full occupancy in 1954 and soon thereafter few enthusiastic residents came forward voluntarily to offer more facilities to the residents. And one of them was Mr. Madhav Ramchandra Idurkar popularly known as M.R.Idurkar.
Born in the year 1927 Mr. Idurkar joined RBI service and moved into the RBI colony , Mumbai Central in 1954 and soon after that took active interest in forming the Tenants Welfare Association and worked as Hon. Secretary for many years with the support of his other colleagues. Some of his achievements in this cooperative movement include Formation of Co operative Consumer Store, Supply of Aarey Milk in the colony by introducing Coupon system , starting cultural programmes during Ganapati festival and also encouraged Christmas festival celebrations in a big way with the help of Colony’s BMO Dr. Y.G.Benkar. Then he took initiative in starting Sir Narayan Chandavarkar School up to 7th class and this invited the attention of entire Mumbai city, as RBI Colony showed the way to other big housing colonies.
During his service in RBI he had the privilege of working as personal secretary( P.S.) to some top executives of RBI like Mr. Y.B.Damle, D.G.karve, S.D.Deshmukh and many others. Even after retirement, Mr. Idurkar worked as Hon.Secretary of Retired RBI Officers Association and succeeded in getting ex gratia payment from RBI to all employees who retired before 1986.He also served as Hon. Secretary of his housing society in Dahisar, where he lived till his death. He passed away at the age of 92 on 23rd January 2019. He is survived by his wife Malati, son Anil , daughters Asha, Bharati, Vidya, daughters in law, son in law and grandchildren and great grandson..