Dubai: The first quarterly meeting of United Maharashtra, initiated by the Indian People’s Forum (Maharashtra Council), was recently held at Hotel Peshwa, Karama, Dubai, marking an important step towards uniting Marathi organizations across the United Arab Emirates.
Conceptualized by Rahul Tulpule, President of the IPF Maharashtra Council, entrepreneur, and social advisor, United Maharashtra has been created to bring together social, cultural, and business-related Marathi organizations operating in the UAE.
Currently, 35 organizations are part of this initiative, including prominent associations such as the Gulf Maharashtra Business Forum, Maharashtra Mandal Abu Dhabi, and Maharashtra Mandal Dubai.
Initiative Launched to Support 400,000 Non-Resident Marathi People
Launched earlier this year in Dubai by Ravindra Chavan, United Maharashtra works towards the welfare of approximately 400,000 non-resident Marathi individuals living in the UAE.
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Its efforts span across diverse areas including support for domestic workers, empowerment of women, business development assistance, weekly schools for children, promotion of reading culture, preservation of cultural and religious traditions, and celebration of regional festivals.
Key Discussions at the United Maharashtra Meeting
During the first quarterly meeting, members discussed several strategic initiatives:
- Development of an integrated global Marathi curriculum for non-resident children with eligibility for college credits.
- Establishment of a dedicated space to host community activities in the UAE.
- Sending a unified delegation from the UAE to the Marathi World Conference scheduled in Nashik in December 2025.
- Celebration of classical language week in October, as announced by the Maharashtra government.
- Formation of a commodity trading task force of experienced professionals to create a guidebook on market opportunities, regulations, compliance, and best practices for exporting fruits and vegetables from Maharashtra to the UAE.
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Strengthening Unity Through Collective Action
The United Maharashtra initiative, led by Neelam Nandekar, also publishes a monthly calendar of events covering all 35 organizations, which was widely appreciated by the community.
The spirit of cooperation – Ekmeka Sahay Karu Avghe Dharu Supanth – is helping Marathi organizations reach broader audiences and make their activities more impactful and accessible to the Marathi diaspora in the UAE.
