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Welcome to the website of Maheshwari Mahasabha Of North
America(MMNA). Although our name says North America, this site
is dedicated to Maheshwaris all over the world.
The purpose of this site is to bring all Maheshwaris together by providing a medium
that facilitates friendship and networking, understanding and discussion of common
issues, awareness of current events and sharing of ideas. Active participation from
all the Maheshwaris is critical in our achieving this goal.
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History of Maheshwari Mahasabha of North America (MMNA)
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MMNA was founded in 1983 by a small number of families mainly in the North-East.
MMNA now has on record over 800 families of which 300+ are life members. Now the
communications are handled at several levels including periodic Newsletters,
a Directory, Website: www.mmna.org , emails and personal phone calls.
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MMNA decided to form local chapters at various locations through
out USA wherever there was a sizeable concentration of Maheshwari families.
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At one family style summer picnic at Harrison Lake State Park in August of 1986,
the Mid-West Chapter was formed. As MMNA grew the South-West chapter was formed
in the in Houston , Texas in 1987. The large family base of Maheshwaris on the West
coast was the next logical destination, and the West Coast Chapter in Los Angeles
California was formed in 1994, followed by formation of New England Chapter in Boston
, MA in 1995 and South-East Chapter in Florida in 2000.
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A Scholarship Fund Program was started which helped several Maheshwari
students. The students, who graduated, not only repaid their scholarships back to
the Fund, but also added to it, and are now taking active roles with the activities
of MMNA. Now this program has been transformed into Education Foundation
in accordance with the Article VII of the revised Constitution & Bye Laws.
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MMNA organized their 10th anniversary gathering in 1994 in New Jersey, which was
attended by over 200. Three years later, MMNA’s 1St International Convention
in Toronto, Canada attracted about 300 registrants. Over 450 from all over the world
attended the 2nd International Maheshwari / Rajasthani Convention in Chicago, IL
in July 2000, with over 100 individuals from India and other countries. There were
about 550 attendees for 3rd International Maheshwari / Rajasthani Convention in
Galveston (Houston), TX in November 2003
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Objectives of MMNA were redressed:
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To bring all the Maheshwari living in the North America (USA and Canada) together,
to share, discuss and understand the values of the Maheshwari way of life, and to
concern itself with the social welfare of the members of the Maheshwari community.
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To establish and reinforce contacts with Maheshwari all over the world.
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To pass our heritage to our children in order to help them preserve their identity
and the values we believe in.
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To involve youngsters in our community activities in order to carry on the mission
of Maheshwari ideologies, faith and culture.
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To extend the financial and moral support to underprivileged & needy students
and families.
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MMNA has taken up the following activities and more:
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The organization of religious festivals and cultural functions.
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The publication of Maheshwari Express Newsletters to express new ideas and to provide
information beneficial to our community in meeting its objectives.
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The publication of Directory listing the details of the Maheshwari families including
children and the youths who live alone.
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The raising of funds for the scholarship program.
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In addition, MMNA had taken up helping the distressed Maheshwari families in India
as well.
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