Cajetan Francis Kambrekar tribute.

Mr. Cajetan Francis Kambrekar tribute (1948–2018) was more than a name in history — he was a trailblazer and the first graduate from the Siddi community of Karnataka, India. His life’s work as an organizer, mentor, and advocate continues to inspire generations. This tribute honors his enduring legacy and the path he created for countless others within and beyond the Siddi community.

Every movement begins with a story.
For me, the story of the AKSSADA Siddi community — the All Karnataka Siddi Social & Aspirational Diversification Association — begins with my father, Mr. Cajetan Francis Kambrekar.

today in Cajetan Francis Kambrekar tribute’s want to pen down, He was not only a trailblazer and the first graduate from the Siddi community in Karnataka, but also the driving force behind my life’s mission. His vision, courage, and dedication laid the foundation for the collective strength we see in the community today.

This blog is my humble tribute to him — a story of resilience, sacrifice, and unshakable commitment to empowering the Siddi people through AKSAD.

My grandfather, Francies Isanthi Kambrekar, was a man of deep wisdom and quiet determination. Though life offered him little comfort, he carried one dream with unwavering faith — that at least one of his sons would receive an education. He believed that learning could open doors that poverty had long kept closed.

My mother often told me how, in his pursuit of that dream, he sold a small piece of land to ensure my father could continue his studies. For him, it wasn’t a sacrifice but a source of pride — that his son was learning, growing, and building a future beyond the limitations of our village.

Even as a child, I remember the deep pride and affection my grandfather had for my father. Though my father was the youngest of three brothers, the bond among them was extraordinary. His elder brothers respected him deeply and often sought his advice on matters big and small. Their relationship went beyond ordinary sibling love — it was a partnership rooted in trust, respect, and shared struggle.

Until their last days, the three brothers remained inseparable — supporting, guiding, and protecting one another through every turn of life. Their unity became a reflection of the values my father lived by: family, loyalty, and strength through togetherness.

That same spirit of unity has lived on in our generation. Though we cousins may have our differences — like any family — we have inherited the bond our fathers shared. We love, respect, and stand by one another not just as relatives, but as true siblings bound by the values passed down through them.

It’s a connection built on shared roots, mutual respect, and the deep understanding that family is not just about blood, but about standing together through every joy and struggle. This bond, to me, is one of the greatest gifts of my father’s legacy.

During his college years, my father encountered a moment that would forever alter the course of his life—and, in time, the destiny of the entire Siddi community in Karnataka.

He had earned an opportunity to study abroad, a dream for any young student of his time. As part of the process, he went to apply for a caste certificate—a document essential for education, employment, and access to government schemes. But what should have been a routine application turned into a moment of painful realization.

When he presented his request, the tahsildar (local revenue officer) dismissed it coldly, saying:

“There is no caste called Siddi.”

For my father, those words were more than just a bureaucratic rejection—they were a denial of identity, history, and existence. Yet, instead of losing his composure, he stood tall and calmly responded:

“Sir, how can you say that when I am standing right in front of you?”

That exchange marked a turning point. It awakened in him a deep understanding that the greatest challenge facing the Siddi people was not just poverty or lack of education—it was invisibility. They were not recognized, not documented, and therefore excluded from the rights and opportunities every citizen deserved.

From that day onward, he made it his mission to change that reality. Rather than allowing anger or humiliation to consume him, he transformed it into purpose. By 1982–83, he gathered a group of like-minded youth and elders to form the All Karnataka Siddi Development Association (AKSDA)—the first-ever Siddi-led organization in the state.

This was not merely an organization; it was the beginning of a movement. A voice had finally risen for the Siddis of Karnataka, led by someone who had once been told his community didn’t exist.

Through AKSDA, my father began a mission that reached deep into the heart of Karnataka’s forests and villages—where many Siddi families lived in isolation and poverty. His work was guided not by ambition, but by purpose.

He started by:

1. Uniting Siddi families scattered across remote forest areas, building a sense of shared identity and belonging.
2. Documenting community struggles, collecting evidence of neglect and deprivation to present before government bodies.
3. Advocating for recognition and dignity, ensuring that the Siddis were seen not as outsiders, but as an integral part of Karnataka’s cultural and social fabric.
4. Laying the groundwork for inclusion of Siddis in the Scheduled Tribe category, opening doors to education, employment, and welfare benefits.

What began as a response to personal humiliation slowly transformed into a movement for identity, justice, and equality. My father also believed that true empowerment went beyond paperwork—it required opportunity. Under his guidance, the AKSDA:

Introduced Siddi youth to the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Special Area Games, nurturing hidden athletic talent.

Helped several athletes secure government jobs through sports, setting examples of success for future generations.

Guided families in obtaining caste certificates and reclaiming their rightful land.

Organized cultural and educational gatherings where Siddis from different villages could come together to celebrate their heritage and share their aspirations.

When I once asked my father why he never sought recognition for his work, he smiled and said,

“I don’t do this for credit. They achieved their goals through their own hard work. I only showed them the path.”

For him, social justice wasn’t about personal fame—it was about dignity, opportunity, and hope for a community long left unseen.

In 1976, the Government of India recognized the Siddi community of Gujarat as a Scheduled Tribe (ST) under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Orders (Amendment) Act, 1976. This recognition brought social and economic support to the Siddis of Gujarat, but the Siddis of Karnataka, sharing the same ancestry, history, and struggles, remained excluded from this status for decades.

Seeing this deep injustice, my father, along with a few like-minded leaders and the organization he founded, began a determined movement to demand equal recognition for Karnataka’s Siddis. He often said, “If our people in Gujarat are recognized, why not here? We share the same roots and the same hardships.” Guided by this conviction, he mobilized community members, met government officials, and built alliances with activists and scholars to prove the community’s rightful claim.

After years of persistence and advocacy, their tireless efforts bore fruit — in 2003, the Siddi’s of Karnataka were finally granted Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, marking a historic victory for dignity, identity, and justice.

Behind my father’s public legacy was a private struggle that only our family truly understood. While he dedicated his time, energy, and even his salary to uplifting the Siddi community, it meant that our household quietly bore many sacrifices.

My mother, who passed away in 2010, was his quiet strength. She sometimes worried when he gave away money meant for our family to help someone in need—whether it was for school fees, bus fare to a government office, or an urgent household expense. Yet even in those moments, she stood firmly by his side, encouraging him to continue his path of service.

We were a family of five: our father, our mother, and us three children—two daughters and one son. I was the eldest, my brother the middle child, and my sister the youngest. My father made a rare and bold choice for us—he enrolled all of us in English-medium schools. This decision came at a cost. Many times, we managed with fewer books, shared shoes, or hand-me-down clothes. But our parents worked hard to shield us from hardship. For them, education was an investment worth every sacrifice.

Because of my father’s transferable job and his community responsibilities, I was kept in a hostel so that my studies would not be affected. But during summer vacations, when we returned home, he often took us along to visit villages with his volunteers. For us children, it felt like an adventure—a change from routine and a chance to spend time with him. At that age, we didn’t truly understand the purpose behind those visits. We just loved tagging along, watching people gather, and seeing how warmly they welcomed him. Only later did I realize that those trips were part of his larger mission to bring awareness, hope, and unity among the Siddi community.

Through their choices, my father and mother taught us lessons far greater than academics:

Service to others is greater than personal comfort.

Sacrifice for education creates opportunities that last for generations.

As children, we didn’t fully understand the struggles my father faced—balancing his government job with his tireless work for the community. But today, I do. Though we had our own difficulties, we were still far better off than many in the Siddi community who lacked even the basics. I still remember visiting families who lived in huts, wearing torn clothes, children without proper clothing, elders walking barefoot in worn-out saris or shirts.

My father’s employment meant we never faced such extreme hardship—but witnessing those realities shaped our understanding of dignity, compassion, and purpose.

Though our material comforts were limited, our home was rich in values—resilience, empathy, and courage. Looking back now, I realize how my parents’ sacrifices not only shaped our family but also deepened my father’s lifelong commitment to the Siddi community. For him, service was never about recognition or comfort—it was about standing with his people and working for their dignity.

Carrying the Legacy Forward with AKSDA

In 2007, my father began efforts to revive AKSDA, the organization he had once founded to unite and uplift the Siddi community. He believed the organization still had a vital role to play in empowering Siddis—especially those living in remote areas who continued to struggle for basic rights and recognition.

He started by reaching out to the old members of AKSDA, gathering documents, and rebuilding connections with community leaders. Between 2007 and 2010, he worked tirelessly—often traveling to distant villages, attending meetings, and coordinating with government officials to address issues related to land rights, education, and community welfare.

In 2009, our family received heartbreaking news—my mother was diagnosed with cancer. Despite her illness, she continued to stand by my father, encouraging him to carry on with his work even as she quietly endured her pain. She remained his source of strength until her passing in 2010. Her loss deeply shook him. Without her, he felt an emptiness that was hard to describe. Yet, even in his grief, he tried to stay connected to his mission, believing that continuing his work was the best way to honor her memory.

Then, in 2011, another blow struck—he suffered a paralytic attack that left the entire left side of his body immobilized. For six months, he was bedridden, dependent on others for even the simplest tasks. Those were some of the darkest days for him. But his determination never faded. Slowly, through sheer willpower and daily exercise, he began to recover. Although his leg never fully regained strength and he walked with a limp thereafter, he refused to let it stop him. His spirit remained unbroken.

By 2015, with renewed energy, he officially revived AKSDA. Under his leadership, the organization once again became active—visiting families in remote villages, assisting them with applications, resolving land disputes, and mentoring young leaders. He strongly believed that empowering the next generation was the key to lasting change.

Among my father’s many contributions, one stood out as a landmark achievement — initiating the inclusion of the Belagavi Siddi community in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list. While Siddis from districts like Uttara Kannada had already been recognised, the Belagavi Siddis continued to be excluded for many years, despite sharing the same ancestry, traditions, and challenges.

Most Siddis in Belagavi worked as daily wage labourers, earning their living through brick-making, agricultural labour, and construction work. For generations, they lived under harsh socio-economic conditions with little access to government support. They had long aspired for recognition under the Scheduled Tribe category, believing it would bring better access to education, employment, and dignity.

Over the years, the community had approached several local and regional leaders for help. Sadly, many of these attempts brought disappointment. Some leaders, even from within the Siddi community, either failed to take action or demanded money to visit villages and “study” their problems. The hopes of the Belagavi Siddis began to fade — until they reached out to my father and his small but committed team.

Unlike others, my father never charged a single rupee. What he offered instead was his time, compassion, and determination. He believed that justice was a right, not something to be bought. Together with his team, he began the difficult process of collecting old records, preparing petitions, and visiting government offices to ensure that the Belagavi Siddis’ voices reached the right authorities. His home often turned into a meeting space for community discussions, where strategies were shaped and hope was revived.

After years of tireless advocacy, their efforts finally began to show results. In June 2018, news broke that the Government of Karnataka had recommended the inclusion of the Siddi community from Belagavi and Dharwad districts in the Scheduled Tribe list. For the community, it was a moment of long-awaited victory.

Because my father was confined to bed at the time, several members of the Siddi community visited our home to share the news personally. They brought the newspaper article announcing the state’s recommendation, filled with excitement and gratitude. My father was sitting among them, reading the article with pride — his eyes reflecting the fulfillment of a dream he had carried for decades.

But fate was unkind. While reading the news surrounded by the very people he had fought for, my father suffered a heart attack and passed away on 19 June 2018. He left this world knowing that his mission was finally being realized.

After his passing, the process he had set in motion continued. The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Second Amendment) Bill, 2019, which included the Siddis of Belagavi and Dharwad, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 9 July 2019, passed in the Rajya Sabha on 12 December 2019, and approved by the Lok Sabha on 11 February 2020. The recognition became official with the Gazette Notification on 19 March 2020, formally granting Scheduled Tribe status to the Siddis of Belagavi and Dharwad.

This achievement was not just a political milestone — it was the completion of a lifelong struggle. It stands today as a living tribute to my father’s courage, compassion, and unwavering belief that true change begins with selfless service. His spirit continues to guide our community, reminding us that no fight for justice is ever in vain.

After his passing, we entrusted all AKSDA documents to the existing committee members. However, due to personal reasons, they could not continue the work.

Somewhere deep inside, I felt a quiet calling—a sense of responsibility to carry forward his mission. When we tried to revive AKSSADA, we discovered that the authorities had deregistered it due to non-compliance over the years. To continue his work, we had to start anew.

That became the turning point. My husband and I decided to establish a new organization built on the same foundation of service and vision my father had created decades earlier. This led to the birth of the AKSSADA, a registered Section 8 non-profit dedicated to continuing his legacy—uplifting the Siddi community through education, empowerment, and dignity.

Even today, his spirit guides every effort we make. The values he lived by—selflessness, resilience, and compassion—remain at the heart of AKSSADA’s work and continue to inspire everyone who walks this path.

Our Mission

The AKSSADA Siddi Community Initiative

Through the AKSSADA Siddi Community Initiative, we are committed to carrying forward the vision and values of our founder—ensuring that his sacrifices, dreams, and lifelong service continue to inspire future generations.

At AKSSADA, our mission is to empower the Siddi community by creating pathways to education, preserving our vibrant African-Indian cultural heritage, and promoting sustainable livelihoods. We believe that true development begins with dignity, self-reliance, and equal opportunity for all.

Our initiatives focus on nurturing talent, celebrating traditional art forms like Siddi Goma, supporting women’s and youth groups, improving access to education and healthcare, and building a stronger sense of identity and belonging.

Through every project—whether it’s a cultural festival, a skill development program, or a child’s scholarship—we strive to honor our founder’s vision of an empowered, united, and proud Siddi community that stands tall in today’s world.

My father lived for his people. Today, I walk in his footsteps—not as a replica, but as a continuation of his spirit and purpose.

This blog Cajetan Francis Kambrekar tribute, is more than a tribute; it is a living reminder of his vision and a call to action. The journey of the AKSSADA Siddi community continues—a journey toward dignity, justice, and sustainable futures for generations to come.

Every story shared, every initiative supported, helps keep his dream alive and strengthens the roots of our community.

Learn more about our work: Akssada.org

Disclaimer: Cajetan Francis Kambrekar tribute This article was originally published on akssada.org
and has been updated and republished on akssada.com
with revisions for clarity and additional details.