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– NEW YORK
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan met members of the Bruhan Maharashtra Mandal of North America (BMM) during her visit to city last month. At the Nov. 16 meeting held at the Waldorf Astoria here, Mahajan and the BMM leadership discussed the various initiatives the group undertakes to promote Marathi language and culture within the U.S.
Those present at the meeting were BMM President Sunil Suryawanshi, past president of the New York Mandal Dilip Shetye, Director and Secretary of the Next Generation Foundation Pramit Makoday, President-elect of the Connecticut Mandal Mangesh Karandikar, and BMM supporters Shri Kanaskar, Shashank Nene and Sudhir Jambhekar.
Mahajan talked about how BMM could work with the youth in both the U.S. and India as well as other initiatives to encourage youth participation, a BMM press release said.
BMM will host its 2015 convention, a bi-annual, three day Marathi festival, at the Anaheim Convention Center, July 3 to 5.
Among topics discussed was the digital divide between Indian men and women, which members suggested could be reduced by providing an e-literacy project for women in all the districts of Maharashtra, the press release said.
Ahilyabai Holkar, a 17th century queen and social reformer has been the inspirational figure for Mahajan throughout her life, he noted, adding that Mahajan symbolizes women empowerment which she has practiced throughout her political career spanning four decades.
Mahajan is one of the senior most members of Indian Parliament and holds the unique distinction of being the only woman MP to get elected eight consecutive times from the same constituency of Indore in Madhya Pradesh.
