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महाराष्ट्र समाज अहमदाबाद
Inspired by these objectives, MSA is committed to create bonding among people with an affinity for Maharashtrian culture and delivering the best value to our members through events and activities that are culturally relevant. Language, literature, music, drama, festivals and traditional practices, form an integral part of of MSA.
As an Ahmedabad based organization, we strive to contribute towards local social causes to promote harmony.
The city of Ahmedabad, has a long history. Right from the time it was called Ashavalli to Karnavati to Ahmedabad. This was a historical capital of Muslim rulers and subsequently conquered by the Gayakwads of Baroda. The city went in to the British rule with the British people taking over the administration of princely states as well as the other areas, not under the princely states.
With the rule of Baroda Empire, many Marathi speaking people settled in the city area of Ahmedabad. Some settled on the eastern bank of river Sabarmati, the area named as Bhadra nearby the holy temple of deity Bhadrakali. The Baroda rulers built many temples on the bank of Sabarmati for the worshipping and carrying our religious activities of their subjects, in this area. Thus the settlement of Maharashtriyans came to happen in Bhadra. Many officers serving in the courts or collectorates of the rulers from Baroda and subsequently the British, settled in the area and this was the first settlement outside the city area.
A man is a social animal. Even though the settlers were serving their employers, using either the local Gujarati language, or English for the work, their quest for getting to their belongingness of Marathi language, prompted them to have an informal get together at some common place away from home, to sit, chitchat, play games with their friends. This went on for several months or years. The group started getting bigger and others residing in nearby areas, started visiting. The horizon of such meeting started to grow and thus came to the need to have a formal group, where they could discuss the social issues, political issues, celebrate religious functions etc. The idea to form a common platform came up and was unanimously approved. Thus on 1st August 1924, an auspicious day to remember Lokamanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Maharastra Samaj, Ahmedabad was established at the hands of Maharshi Karve.
The process was initiated by Shri V. N. Pavagi and Shri A. S Vanikar, the founding members of Maharashtra Samaj. We are indebted to their vision and efforts. There were many who contributed generously. Jambhekar, Khandekar families and others donated generously for the cause. The present premises of Samaj, is as a result of this generosity of families staying in Bhadra and around.
With the establishing Samaj where mostly men came together led catering to the need of women to come together and indulge in some activity. This led to the start of Bhagini Samaj. starting of a Marathi school in Ahmedabad to cater education in Marathi medium to the influx of Marathi speaking people, . Later on, the co-operative movement came to stay in a big way in India. The visionaries of Maharashtra Samaj, Ahmedabad looked in to the requirements of their members and established a credit co-operative society.
Over last ten decades, Samaj has seen many ups and downs, as well as the progress of a thriving society. The Samaj caters to almost all the cultural requirements of it’s members. Samaj has a Drama Section, a well equipped community hall, a rest house for guests coming from out of town, a section looking after the sports and education assistance related issues, in keeping with the progress an Internet Section for projecting in informing about the activities, as well as documentation for future references.
The Samaj is a thriving body, spread all over the ever expanding city of Ahmedabad and looking for cluster linkages in future for networking with different upcoming Marathi societies in different parts of Ahmedabad.
On the centenary year of Maharashtra Samaj Bhadra, Ahmedabad, various competitions and new programs are organized by the Department of Sports and Education.
Sports Department:–
Chess, Carrom and Rummy tournaments are organized every year in the community. A cricket match is also organized. Prizes are given to the winners from the donations received for this.
Education Department:–
MSM School is celebrating its 75-year anniversary and the Education Department has distributed uniforms to the students of the school. Apart from that, the students staying in boarding school have also been given mattresses etc.
* The following activities will be carried out by the Education Department.
Founded: About 1935
Venue: Maharashtra Samaj, Bhadra
Time:
Morning: 8:30 to 10:30
Evening: 5:30 to 8:30
Various types of books on various subjects are available in the library
Historical, biographical, autobiographical, spiritual, drama, poetry, novel, anthology, travelogue, industry, technology etc.
Gujarati Hindi and English books are also available.
Total Estimated Books: 5000
Special Diwali edition magazines and books are also available at the library.
Membership Registration:
From September 1, 2023, Saraswati Temple Library membership fee will be charged as follows.
For Life Members of Maharashtra Society:
Annual / Lifetime Fee: None
Deposit of Books: Rs.1000/-
Books: 02 will be provided
Library Members only: – For those who are not members of Maharashtra Society:
Annual Fee: 300/-
Deposit: Rs.1000/-
Books: 02 will be provided
This department organizes cultural programs like music, dance and drama. Music programs have been organized on Kojagiri, 15th August & 26th January celebration as well as on Samaj vardhapan Day.
These programs has been performed by local amateur artist as well as from outside the Ahmedabad we welcome the amateur artist to perform here.
This Art & Drama department has a long history of 70 years. Many talented actors in the society currently appear in commercial dramas, films and TV serials.
MSA has often participated in drama competitions held by Brihanmaharashtra in Delhi and has won many awards as well.
MSA has given a chance to new comers & helped them to grow as a good performer.
The MSA society had celebrated the 60th year of Natya Vibhag in 2013. So far, the MSA has presented 64 plays in front of the audience.
This internet section was started 8 years ago from today.
Currently we are active on Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.
Through this, all the updates can be delivered to the members.
We are sharing photos and videos of the programs from Facebook and Instagram accounts of the MSA.
Another advantage of this department is, news of the society, its upcoming attractions or events, the next festival celebration in the MSA etc. can be immediately conveyed to the members.
Earlier Samaj patrika was published every 15 days but then there were many complaints that it was not reaching through post and it was not reaching on time.
So now, we can share through social media.
For two years, we have been releasing the special Diwali edition magazine of Samaj online as well.
Now we are also launching the website of the MSA. Through which we will be able to take online membership. You will get information about further programs, books list of Saraswati Library and book can be ordered through WhatsApp.
Anyone who wants to work as a volunteer can also register and join the MSA as well.
Equipped with so many features, this website will make many tasks easier.
The activists working in the MSA at that time took up an initiative to coordinate the Maharashtra society and various Maharashtra boards- To start the fortnight of the Maharashtra society.
It was named as Samaj Patrika.
It not only contains the happenings in the society, some special programs, celebration of festivals, advertisements etc., but along with it, something readable, educative, educational, humorous and many other types of literature should be read by the interested readers. With this purpose, editing work was added to it… Today many have graced this editorship with their dexterous pen…..!
But the purpose is one..! To give guidance, happiness and some new information to the members and advertisement of the business etc. gradually the format of Samaj Patrika changed. .Salutations to all the writers who have graced this editor’s post so far… Also, heartfelt thanks to the managers and publishers, advertisers, many writers and poets who have contributed material.
