A Simple Gathering That Meant a Lot

नमस्कार मंडळी,

Some Saturdays just land differently. This one did.

We squeezed into a cozy corner of Indian restaurant, Black Salt, nearly 50 of us, Executive Committee members, Marathi Shala teachers, past committee leaders, families, spouses, kids… basically the whole heart of STLMM in one room. No agenda. No stage. No performances. Just people who keep this community running, sitting together and relaxing for once.

What struck me was the energy. It felt less like an appreciation lunch and more like a family meet-up. People chatting with folks they normally only see during frantic event days. Kids taking over an entire table like it’s their birthright. The comfortable noise that tells you everyone actually wants to be there.

For us on the Board of Trustees, the idea behind this lunch was simple, a personal gesture. Not an official “program,” not a budget line item, nothing formal. Just a chance to say thank you in the most human way possible: by sitting down together for a meal. कधी कधी एवढंच पुरेसं असतं.

I shared a few words about how far we’ve grown and come as a community; strengthening our bylaws, refreshing our website, tightening our operations, cleaning up payment processes, and making the Mandal feel more welcoming and future ready. But honestly, none of that happens unless people step up. And this crew does. Quietly, consistently, without asking for credit.

Seeing past committees and Marathi Shala volunteers join us made it even better. Each one of them has carried the Mandal forward in their own way, and having everyone under one roof felt like connecting the dots of a long story.

The best part? The way everyone said, “We should do this more often.” That told me everything. When something feels natural, you don’t need to brand it or formalize it. It finds its own rhythm.

Below are a few snapshots of the afternoon, the laughter, the candid moments, the full plates, the full hearts. And I’ve added the two videos from my short message to the group, mostly so we can look back years later and remember how this tradition quietly began.

Initial Introduction!

Appreciating the entire STLMM Team!

Thank you to everyone who came, everyone who brings their families along for this wild ride, and everyone who keeps this community alive with their time, effort, and good spirit.

हा दिवस खास होता.

And it reminded me, when good people gather, good things follow.

Happy Thanksgiving 🍁 everyone!

PS: For those who could be wondering, no STLMM funds were used in this event. It was sponsored by our current BOTs in its entirety.