Interesting facts of European Marathi Sammelan (EMS).
A Brief history. Compiled by Praful Kulkarni.
Do you know………?
Where and when the “idea EMS” was conceived?
In Bremen, Germany in 1997.
In the summer of 1997 German-Marathis convened their yearly gathering of Ganesh Uthsav in Bremen. Apart from Germans (majority) some Marathis from UK, Netherlands and Switzerland also participated in it. At the end of the concluding day German-Marathis seemed to be looking for a new venue outside Germany for the next year. Switzerland was a remote and unlikely option at that time because of the visa fees for the Germans and higher overhead Swiss costs in general. An enthusiastic, friendly and enterprising couple, Dr. Anand and S. Vijaya Pandav from Netherlands, who attended the Bremen gathering requested six weeks’ time to sort out if they could take up the task. Dr. Anand Pandav, being a physician by profession, had lot of college friends scattered in UK. Dr. Anand was a dynamic and enthusiastic person. With the help of only a handful Marathis in Netherlands he staged a convention at Biesbosch, Dodrecht (near Rotterdam) of a superlative dimension which he himself had not envisaged. UK-Marathis dominated the convention with their number, variety programmes, vigour, dedication and solid support for the Marathi cause. Dr. Anand and S. Vijaya did not plan nor did they dream but they became unknowingly the trail blazers of the tradition of EMS which started in 1998 |
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Who accommodated all the participants of EMS under one roof? |
For the first time Germany in EMS2000. |
Later on Birmingham (UK) EMS2002, Oslo (Norway) 2004, Almelo (NL) 2006 followed. |
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When and why was it decided to convene EMS every two years and not every year?
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In Germany in EMS2000 |
The tremendous amount of workload experienced by Holland, Switzerland and Germany convinced the organizers to choose a two year rhythm. Also the thought was that EMS should not be convened in the same year of BMM in USA which would allow European Marathis to participate in both the conventions. |
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At which EMS convention a limit was put on the number of participants?
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Birmingham EMS2002. |
The figure was 300. This limit was necessary to accommodate all the participants under the same roof. |
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Who were the richest organizers of EMS?
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Birmingham EMS2002. |
Most of them being established physicians their resources in finances and human connections were practically unlimited. |
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Which countries dared to put up EMS convention although they were very few Marathis in their countries? And who made these conventions possible?
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Norway EMS2004, Netherlands EMS1998, France EMS2008 and Switzerland EMS1999. |
Norway EMS2004 had four Marathi couples in their organization committee out of which one was a mixed couple. Anil & Ashwini Nene, Dr. Mahesh & Amruta Patwardhan, Dr. Ashish & Giri Wagle, Dr.Ninad & Lata Thackre (all from UK), Ashish & Vashnawi Arondekar, Praful & Vela Kulkarni (both from Switzerland) supported Norway in every way. Anil Nene was honoured by Norway for his special services.
Netherlands EMS1998 had some 7 Marathi couples in all. The Marathi community in and around London, Birmingham, Manchester and New castle (List will be too long) supported this convention by overwhelming support.
France EMS2008 had similar strength as Netherlands. The massive support came from UK-Marathis. (List will be too long).
Switzerland EMS1999 was organized by four Marathi couples and received overwhelming support from other eight couples or so. The convention got massive support from Israeli Marathis (40 or more), UK-Marathis and German Marathis. Anil Nene (UK) performed a remarkable duty assigned to him. |
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Which EMS conventions were attended by Indian Ambassadors as chief guests?
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Netherlands EMS1998 and Switzerland EMS1999. |
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| Who were the outstanding guests from India at EMS conventions? |
| Shruti Sadolikar, Dandekar (Camel Inks) Netherlands EMS 1998 |
| Dilip Prabhavalkar Smita Talwalkar and Nitu Mandke Switzerland EMS 1999 |
| Sanjay Upadhye Germany EMS 2000 |
| Jayant Naralikar, Chandu Borde, Rahul Dravid, Nana Patekar and Sudhir Gadgil UK EMS2002 |
| D.S. Kulkarni, Prashant Damle and Sudhir Gadgil Norway EMS2004 |
| Jayant Naralikar, Arun Nalavade, Anuradha Marathe, Salil Kulkarni and Dr.Vikas and his daughter Sheetal Amte Netherlands EMS2006 |
| D.S. Kulkarni, Pramod Choudhary, Amruta Subhash and Mohan Agashe France EMS2008 |
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| Who was the best local performer appreciated by the audience? |
| Dr. Mahesh Patwardhan (UK) Norway EMS2004 |
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| Who was the most entertaining and popular local Master of Ceremony? |
| Anil Nene (UK) Switzerland EMS 1999, Norway EMS2004. |
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Who provided the most prestigious convention halls for EMS?
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Switzerland EMS 1999 and Norway EMS2004 |
Swiss EMS1999 was convened in Kursaal, Interlaken. The convention hall, built in the 19th century, is decorated with wooden carvings and chandeliers. International conferences are convened in Kursaal. Shortly after EMS1999 a NATO conference was held at this venue.
Oslo EMS2004 convention was held in Holmenkolben Hotel, Oslo. In this five star hotel the PM of India Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru was accommodated. Also the secret negotiations between PLO leader Yaseer Arafat and Israeli PM Rabin took place in this hotel
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Which country outside Europe sent the largest delegation?
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Israel in Switzerland EMS1999. |
Over 40 Israeli Marathis participated. |
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Which is the farthermost country to participate in EMS?
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New Zealand in Birmingham EMS2002. |
EMS also received participation from USA, Mauritius and India. |
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Which were the most scenic places where EMS conventions were hosted? |
Switzerland EMS1999 in Interlaken with its Swiss Alps, pine trees, chalets and blue lakes. |
Birmingham (UK) 2002 with Lake District and the magnificent city of London. |
Oslo (Norway) EMS2004 with Fjords, Bergen railway and mid-night sun. |
France EMS2008 with the beautiful city of Paris which never sleeps. |
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At which EMS conventions typically Maharashtrian food prepared by the European Chefs was served?
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Switzerland EMS1999, Norway EMS2004. Netherlands 2006 Paris EMS2008. |
Local Marathi ladies in Switzerland, Norway, Holland and France gave recipes and trained the European Chefs. |
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Who insisted for the first time on printing the EMS souvenir in India?
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Switzerland in EMS1999. |
| The souvenir was printed by Joshi Printers, Pune. |
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Who put up the first website of EMS?
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Switzerland in EMS1999. |
A Marathi Ph. D. Student, Vidhydhar Ranade, Studying in ETH Zurich voluntarily offered his services and created a website. This website was not useful for registration etc. but it offered some information. The idea of website was born. |
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Who introduced a workable website containing useful information for EMS?
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Birmingham EMS2002 was the first. |
Later on Oslo (NO) EMS2004, Almelo (NL) EMS2006 and Paris (FR) EMS2008 followed. |
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Who made the most attractive website?
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Paris (FR) EMS2008. |
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| Which Conventions were appreciated the most by the delegates for their organization? |
| Almelo (NL) EMS2006. |
Vrinda & Girish Thakur, Balu Bapat, Kulkarni, Patki and their team organized a near professional convention at Almelo. It was almost flawless. |
| Switzerland EMS1999. |
With almost no past experience in organizing conventions Vela & Praful Kulkarni, Vijay & Hema Joshi, Yvonne and Shrirang Mirajkar, Vaishnawi & Ashish Arondekar and their team staged a trail blazing convention of EMS1999 at Interlaken in Switzerland. After the convention a delegate suffered a mild stroke and he had to be hospitalized. The organization was also braced for such extreme situation and provided the assistance. The delegate went home safely. |
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Which country devised an original slogan for the convention?
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Paris(FR) EMS2008. |
The slogan was “Shaswat Vikas”. |
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Who made the “idea EMS” workable, possible and gave it a status?
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UK-Marathis. |
Practically in every EMS so far UK-Marathis delivered the majority Participation.
The UK-Marathis in and around the cities of London, Birmingham, Manchester and New Castle were the driving force behind the success of the “idea EMS”. With their enthusiasm, vigour, unflinching support and dedication to the Marathi cause they are the backbones of EMS. |
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