The late Shantaram Khapre, a native of Rai village in Ratnagiri Taluka, founded the 'Ratnagiri Taluka Kunbi Vikas Sahakari Patpedhi' (Credit Society) in 1983. He established this institution to alleviate the financial hardships faced by members of the Kunbi community—specifically the working-class individuals from Ratnagiri Taluka who had migrated for employment. While employed at Nanavati Hospital, he played a pivotal role in expanding the society's financial operations by uniting community members from various villages, driven by his deep commitment to social service. Under the youthful leadership of Khapre and Kinjale, the society's first branch was established at Kurar Village in Malad. A heartfelt tribute to this noble social reformer.