Mumbai - one of the four metro cities of India was called Bombay till the recent times .These bunch of islands on the West Coast of India were originally ruled by the Portuguese and then the British who entered India by the sea route. The original residents of Bombay then were fishermen (Kolis) and their goddess was called Mumbadevi giving her name to the modern metropolis.

The 20th century brought in the growth and expansion of Bombay city dividing Bombay in two major parts by Railyway lines, Central and Western . Vile Parle is a suburb on the Western Railway located between Santacruz and Andheri. Vile Parle is again divided into two parts which is East and West by the Railway Station which was built somewhere in 1906 or 1907. The name 'Vile Parle' is derived from the names of small villages that included 'Idlai - Padlai'.The east-west boundries of vile parle are from Juhu (west) to Sahar (east).Around 1897, some of the rich businessmen came down to Western Suburbs and bought real estate on large scale.Also some middle class families and and government officers came to Vile Parle to settle down.

One of the rich businessman Shri Gokuldas Tejpal bought over the huge piece of land near railway station (east) and built a palatial bunglow called 'Mor Bangla'. (1904). There were mainly Maharashtrian families who bought lands and constructed bunglows and chawls in Vile Parle east. Dr. Dada Kambli started a charitable trust.He also built small shops alongside the railway line.The Paranjape Family started Silver Trading business. Shri Baburao Paranjape who was the main founder of cooperative housing societies in Vile Parle entered into construction business knowing the growing need of middle class small families and helped them settle down in parle by making small flats available in affordable price. Paranjape also built the famous 'Parleshwar Mandir'.

It is almost impossible to mention all the names of those who have contributed to the growth and development of modern parle of present times. In 1921, Parle Tilak Vidyalaya was founded as a tribute to Late Shri Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak and in 1924, Lokmanya Seva Sangh (Tilak Mandir) came to an existence. Both these institutions have greatly contributed in bringing up the younger generation of vile parle residents and making them the responsible citizens of this country. Parle Tilak Vidyalaya association started its own 'Parle College' (now called as Sathye College) in 1959 followed by M.L. Dahanukar College of Commerce, Mulund College of Commerce and Dahanukar Institute of Management and also Paranjpe Vidyalaya, Marathi and English medium.

The other famous educational institutions in Parle west are, N.M. College of commerce, Mithibhai college and Ruia High School. In 1928 Vile Parle Flying Club was founded in Juhu area and in 1932 late Shri J.R.D. Tata landed his 'Pusmoth' plane at the Juhu Airport.Vile Parle possess some of the social and business houses known internationally such as Parle Biscuit Factory and the Hare Rama Hare Krishna Temple (ISCON). Parle has produced some of the eminent personalities like late Shri P.L. Deshpande, Vijay Tendulkar and shree Late Datta Bhat, Late Shree Satish Dubhashi like Many others. The cultural activities in vile parle started around 1927 when some of the artists founded 'Natyapremi Mandal' performing Marathi historical and social dramas on stage.

We now have three famous drama theaters in vile parle as Deenanath Natyagruha ,Bhaidas Hall and Prithvi theater for Marathi, Hindi and Gujarathi plays to perform. Also some music lovers founded Vileparle Music Circle and constantly held musical programms. And the present.. Vile Parle comes under 'K' ward of Bombay Municipal Corporation having Municipal School for secondary and higher secondary education, Municipal Market ,Deenanath Natyagruha, and Cooper Hospital governed by BMC. The present and modern Vile parle spread from Centaur Hotel at Parle,East to Juhu Circle at Parle,West .Parle has all the facilities for anybody who wants to lead a decent and peaceful life, get good education, run a successful business , participate in cultural activities, take good care of health and cope up with social and personal problems.

There are health care organizations from hospitals to oxygen cylinder dealers, branches of all main banks, architects and engineers, schools and coaching classes, LIC agents to marketing agencies, ad agencies and printing presses, swimming pools and health clubs, libraries and shops, marriage bureaus and restaurants, temples and theaters..everything is friendly neighborhood. Vile Parle has total population of 2,70,861 not dominated by any particular community of people. There are Maharashtrians (the original residents), Gujarathis, and south indians And some north indians and bengalis. They maintain a particular and decent standard of living and are peace loving people. Many a times they come together with open mind and bright ideas to fight social problems, enjoy festival celebrations or pay tribute to famous and great people of this country.