Message from Outgoing and Incoming Presidents of MMNA

My dear MMNA Pariwar,

 On behalf of my NEC, I wish you good health in the year 2009 and a very Happy Sankranti.

 MMNA has crossed a milestone- its silver anniversary! It has been an honor to serve you as its President over the last four years. With pride I pass the baton to our next President Kishorji Lohiya from Houston, TX and I warmly welcome all the members of the new NEC.

 Many minds interacted, hearts mingled, hands touched, words uttered and our eyes opened to find a new strength in unity by unconditional love. We can depend on each other like pillars and bridges in life. There is, indeed, plenty to reflect upon, and if this in anyway enhances our individual and collective contributions to making a Pariwar, then the NEC can truly be adjudged a success. Below is a brief recap of activities led by your NEC since taking office on Mahashivratri, 2005.

I. MMNA Organization Enhancements:

April 05- formation of a youth subcom, RAYS- Rajasthani Abroad Youth Samaj, an interactive platform for young adults.

May 05 -formation of a media subcom, MPV- Maheswari Pariwar Vani, to connect members with news and views.

June 05- formation of a women subcom, MS- Maheswari Sakhis, to empower and promote sisterhood.

July 05- formation of business subcom, RBA- Rajasthani Business Associates, networking for career opportunities.

Aug 05- formation of doctors subcom, RMD- Rajasthani Maheswari Doctors, a medical resource for members.

Diwali 06- a new regional chapter in the mid-east was initiated.

II. MMNA Organizational Initiatives:

Sept 05- 1st RAYS Convention on Shraddh in Boston, MA.

April 06- 1st MS Convention on Gangaur in Gorukulam, PA

June 06- 1st RBA Teleconference on Ethics in Business on Mahesh Navmi.

Aug 06- 1st Maheshwari Express E letter by MPV.

Jan 07- 1st RMD Teleconference on Obesity on Sankranti.

Jan 08- 1st IMP Convention on a cruise from Florida to the Bahamas in the New Year. This MMNA silver jubilee convention was dedicated to our seniors.

mmna.org- a new interactive website for members! Membership almost doubled!!  Donors have tripled!!!

III. Maheshwari Educational Foundation activities 05-08:

Over a dozen students in USA were granted loan scholarships for higher studies and recovery of past loans reached a remarkable record during the term.

Scholarship is available for students to join International Vedic Hindu University in Orlando, Fl.

MMNA Educational chapters collaborated with Maheshwari sansthas in Nagpur, Amravati, Jodhpur, Palanpur, Hyderabad and supported existing chapters of India in Pune, Akola, Nanded, Sri Dungargarh and Indore assisting students with basic education.

IV. Philanthropic role of MMNA 05-08:

Sponsored 330 Ekal Vidayala villages in India, a value over $ 100, 000 raised during the Convention on the cruise.

Supported Maheshwari Hospital in Jaiselmer

Supported Sankar Nethralaya in Chennai for blindness eradication.

Supported Autism Society in USA.

Supported natural calamities victims in USA and India.

Supported women by microfinancing a Kheechu making machine in Latur.

Supported 2 Gosalas (cow shelters) in USA.

V. Networked with other Organizations:

Supported Brahmakumaris PhD student for her thesis work to compare spiritual quotient among leaders in USA and India.

Supported Karma Yoga Conference for Youth organised by VHP in Boston.

Supported Kaun Banega Ramayan Expert young participants.

Supported Hindu American Foundation in USA.

Supported Indicorps fellow doing volunteer service in Rajasthan.

Supported Maheswari Times magazine, a monthly publication from Indore.

Exchanged notes with Maheswari leaders in Akola, Pune, Surat, Mumbai and Hyderabad. 

To accomplish the above tasks, people near and far, young and old, families and friends, strangers who became buddies, past and future leaders, Subcommittee Officers and Chapter Presidents, Convener and Convention team, Chairman and Board of Directors, Donors and the overwhelming support from my NEC- we all worked together with dedication and understanding.

Memory is like ether, vaporizes quickly but our actions leave a permanent effect. To our members and supporters, i sincerely thank you for helping me and involving yourself for making what your MMNA is today so we can pass it on to the next generation tomorrow....i pray that let Pariwar Bhavana guide you always to build an organization with respect and mutual support.

Jai Mahesh,

Seema Rathi, MD

President, MMNA

1/11/ 2009.

Sample testimonials from some members on how the activities of MMNA  benefited us-

1. Rupal Lunani on health issue quoted-

" A dear friend of mine was diagnosed with Cancer and I was able to leverage textpertise of an oncologist thru MMNA network. It really was a great help. Thanks o you and your team to have such initiatives that benefit the Pariwar."

2. Ruchita Jajoo on matrimonial issue quoted- 

"Just wanted to make you aware incase you had not heard about either of these MMNA "success stories"! There may be more out there but these are two couples I have heard about that have met at each of the conventions we've had." (Boston and Houston).

 3. Rajendra Laddha on career issue quoted-

"i would like to thank MMNA for its continous efforts to bring all maheswaris together---- and i have started my own textile manufacturing company."

4. Amita Ajmera on empowerment issue quoted-

"it is only because of the Sakhi Convention, I now feel confident to speak on the stage with a mike in this wedding anniversary celeberations"

5. Prena Chandak on scholarship issue quoted-

"MMNA scholarship allowed me to divesify my plate of activities to better devlop myself all around."

 A message from the outgoing MMNA President-

"My hope for all Maheshwaris is that we rise from kankar to Shankar"- Seema and Dwarka Rathi, MD.

New York.