MAHARASHTRA MANDAL (LONDON)

The Mandal's activities revived in 1952, when Mr. Balasaheb kher was appointed as the High Commissioner of India in London. A new generation of Maharashtrian young families joined hands with the older members. They made the Mandal a meeting place where Marathi music concerts, dramas, Marathi cuisine and Diwali Dinners were organised. Consequently the Mandal played the host to many renowned artists from India. It was also visited by prominent personalities such as M. M. D. V. Potdar, Mr. C.D. Deshmukh, Mr. Y. B. Chavan, Mr. Sharad Pawar and recently by Mr. Vilasrao Deshmukh

After acquiring its own premises in 1989, the Mandal started performing its activities effectively and put its development work on a permanent footing. Since then the Mandal continues to organise 10 to 12 cultural functions every year. In addition, it undertakes many other activities on a regular basis such as: annual summer holiday play scheme for children, a day centre for elderly, sport facilities: badminton and table tennis, talent shows such as dramas and song concerts and a monthly gathering for women- ‘Mahila Mandal’. The most important annual event is ‘Shree Ganeshotsav’, when every family visits the Mandal during the ten days of festivity. Most programmes are organised with emphasis on the Marathi culture. They strongly reflect Marathi tradition and Maharashtrian's love for drama and music. Over the years the mandal has extended a helping hand during natural disasters in Maharashtra/India. It is not possible to list all activities of the mandal during its long and illustrious history. It is gratifying that our Community in U.K. being so small and spread out has achieved so much since mandal’s inception.