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Until the early 1960's there
were a very few Marathi families living in Toronto and the surrounding areas. A major
influx started in mid-to-late 1960's. When the numbers were small, the
families used to get together in an informal way. As the numbers
started to increase, the community started organizing activities in a
structured manner. These activities consisted of celebrating
festivities such as Ganesh Puja, Diwali, etc. and programs for visiting
artists from Maharashtra. When the number of Marathi families reached a
sizable level, the "Marathi Bhashik Mandal, Toronto" was born in 1968.
For the first couple of years,
the set up was somewhat informal. In 1971, the Mandal got a formal
structure and the Executive Committee elected by the members was put in
place.
With the setting up of the
formal structure, the Mandal launched its newsletter "Snehbandh". The
Mandal's constitution was promulgated in December, 1974. The governance
of the Mandal has been carried out in accordance with this constitution
ever since.
The Mandal was incorporated in
the province of Ontario in 1984. It was registered as a Charitable
organization with the Federal Government in 1989. Such status permits
the Mandal to issue tax receipts for any donations received by the
Mandal
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