All posts by : mithila

Dear Maithils,

One of the gaps identified in the way MSCUK conduct their business of showcasing the Mithila culture and engaging our younger generation more intricately than it currently does was the absence of magazine/brochure that could be published at regular intervals to highlight our activities as a cultural society. To address this shortcoming and with an immense degree of cultural pride, MCSUK, on the occasion of their 12th Annual General Meeting, present a full-fledged magazine of memoirs to all its esteemed members. This “Smarika” is a colourful kaleidoscope of visual snippets from our past AGMs or landmark cultural ceremonies and most importantly, write ups on various topics from our children who have been encouraged to share their thoughts through this medium. One of the most effective ways of tapping into a child’s mind and thereby roping them into a culture is to have their articles published in a magazine, which in itself should also be the single, most relevant justification that such a publication should need.

The original plan was to present hard copies to you during this year’s AGM but since we have had to go virtual with the AGM itself, sharing the publication through google drive seemed to be the best option. Because of its size, unfortunately, we cannot send this to you as an email attachment. Please find the link to download the magazine at the end of the post.

Special thanks for this publication are due to one of our key members, Kundan Lal jee, who for the past one year or so has put in a massive amount of time and effort in chasing publishers, negotiating publication prices, personally encouraging children to send write ups and getting our treasurer to agree to the expenses. This magazine would not have seen the light of the day without his unrelenting efforts.

This magazine just represents the commencement of a sincere effort which essentially means there must be considerable scope for improvement. Please read it and do send us your feedback so that we can improve on the content and present a better version to you next year, hopefully in person, as a physical copy and at a physical venue.

Regards,

Dipak Jha

Secretary 

Mithila Cultural Society, UK

Constitution of Mithila Cultural Society UK

1. Name of the Society
   1. The Name of the Society shall be ‘Mithila Cultural Society UK’.
2. Definitions
   1. This document shall be ‘the Constitution’ of the Mithila Cultural Society UK.
   2. In the Constitution, the term –
      1. ‘Society’ means ‘Mithila Cultural Society UK’.
      2. ‘President’ means the President of the Society.
      3. ‘Vice President means the Vice President of the Society
      4. ‘Secretary’ means the Secretary of the Society.
      5. ‘Treasurer’ means the Treasurer of the Society.
      6. ‘Executive Committee’ means the Executive Committee of the Society.
      7. ‘General Body’ means the General Body of the Society.
   3. Address of the Society
      1. The correspondence address of the Society shall be the address of either the President or the Secretary of the Society treasurer or any nominated executive member of the Society and shall be agreed at the first Executive Committee Meeting following elections to the Executive Committee every year.
   4. Area of Operation
      1. The geographical area of operation of the Society shall comprise of the United Kingdom.
   5. Aims and Objectives
      1. The target community of the Society is Maithili speaking residents of UK and those who can be regarded as Maithil and regard themselves as such and their family members and anybody who has got affinity for Maithili Culture.
      2. The aim of the society is –
         1. To preserve the Mithila Culture in the target community.
         2. To promote solidarity, friendship, co­operation, community spirit and cultural interaction among the members of the target community.
         3. To promote the traditional practices, moral values and cultural standards of the target community.
         4. To promote social and cultural integration among the target community with programs and activities.
         5. To promote and provide forums which enable families in the target community especially the children and youth to learn about the culture, traditions, heritage and values Mithila and celebrate festivals associated with culture of Mithila.
         6. To promote awareness of Mithila Literature, Art, script, rituals, festivals and music.
         7. To promote Maithili language in the youth of the target community and encourage good speaking, reading, and writing.
         8. To establish common platform and promote links and interaction between the target community and Maithils elsewhere in the world and to create a Global Mithila and the spirit of being ‘Global Maithil’.
      3. The objective of the Society is to remain –
         1. Non political
         2. Secular
         3. Non profitable
   6. Membership
      1. Membership is given to any person who subscribes to the aims and objectives of the Society and who shall fulfill the requirements as laid down in the constitution.
      2. All applications for membership shall be on the prescribed application form of the Society along with membership fee and Society dues as may be prescribed by General Body from time to time.
      3. All membership or renewal of membership is subject to the decisions of the Executive Committee and the Executive Committee has the right to reject or approve the application for membership.
      4. Membership – Membership is given to any person who subscribes to the aims and objectives of the Society, who shall fulfill the requirements as laid down in the constitution and pays the membership fee as prescribed by the Executive Committee and updated from time to time. The Executive Committee shall publish a list of membership fee, having agreed that by consensus or by majority.
      5. The frequency for the payment of ordinary membership fee may be reviewed by the General Body from time to time.
      6. All members who are above the age of 18 years have one single non­transferable vote.
      7. All members shall have the right to hold office within the Society.
      8. A member upon admission becomes liable to all obligations as well as is entitled to all privileges of the membership of the Society.
      9. The membership of a member shall not be transferable by his/her own act or any other manner.
      10. Any member may give up his/her membership at will at any time upon written notice to the President, in which case he/she shall no longer share in the activities and benefits of the Society.
      11. The Executive Committee can suspend and remove any member from membership if he/she is found working against the aims and objectives of the Society or found working against requirements laid down in the Constitution. The concerned member shall be given 14 days period to submit a written explanation to the Executive Committee from the date of the notice to suspend him/her. This period may be extended at the discretion of Executive Committee, the decision being taken by a majority vote of the Executive Committee members present and voting. Having considered the explanation given by the member, the Executive Committee shall take a decision on withdrawing the suspension on the concerned member or removing the membership permanently, this to be decided by a majority vote of the Executive Committee members present and voting.
      12. In the event of a removal of membership, the member shall be informed in writing by the Secretary. The member shall be given 21 days period to appeal to an Appeal Board constituted by the Executive Committee.
      13. The Appeal Board will examine whether the criteria for removal of membership was met and decision will be made within a period of three months. The decision of the Appeal Board shall be binding on the Society.
   7. General Body
      1. The General Body comprises of all the members.
   8. Powers of the General Body
      1. To elect the office-bearers and members of the Executive Committee of the Society.
      2. To decide on all policy matters relating to the Society.
      3. To approve the annual statement of accounts and annual reports.
      4. To amend the constitution of the Society where necessary, subject to the provisions of Charity Law for England and Wales.
      5. To decide on the removal of the office-bearers of the Society.
   9. Meeting of the General Body
      1. The General Body shall meet at least once a year, which is the Annual General Meeting.
      2. The General Body can hold special meeting if 1/3rd of the members request so in writing to the Secretary/President unless otherwise decided by the Executive Committee.
      3. The Secretary on the decision of the Executive Committee shall summon all meetings of the General Body and notice of the General Body meeting shall be given to all members at least 14 days before the meeting.
      4. The quorum for the General Body meeting is 1/4th of the existing members.
      5. All General Body meeting shall be presided by the President or in the event of absence of the President, by the Vice-President, or in the event of absence of the President and Vice President, by one of the members of the Executive Committee elected by the Executive Committee.
   10. Executive Committee
       1. There shall be a Executive Committee elected by the Annual General body Meeting from among the members, commencing from the month of April for a term of 2 years.
       2. The size of the Executive Committee shall be a maximum of 20 members which consists of Office Bearers of the Society and other elected members from the General Body.
       3. Any vacancy to members of Executive Committee, except the Office Bearers, shall be filled at the following Annual General Body Meeting.
       4. The Executive Committee shall meet at least once in three months.
       5. Any member of the Executive Committee absent in the meetings of the Executive Committee consecutively for three times without intimating satisfactory reasons will cease to be a member of the Executive Committee.
       6. All decisions in the Executive Committee are taken on a majority vote of the members present and voting.
       7. All members of the Executive Committee are eligible for a single non­transferable vote.
       8. In the event of a tie, the President will have the casting vote.
       9. The Executive Committee can suspend and remove any of its members, other than the Office Bearers, from its membership if he/she is found working against the aims and objectives of the Society or found working against requirements laid down in the Constitution. The concerned member shall be given 14 days period to submit a written explanation to the Executive Committee from the date of the notice to suspend him/her. This period may be extended at the discretion of Executive Committee, the decision being taken by a majority vote of the Executive Committee members present and voting. Having considered the explanation given by the member, the Executive Committee shall take a decision on withdrawing the suspension on the concerned member or removing him/her from the membership of the Executive Committee permanently, this to be decided by a majority vote of the Executive Committee members present and voting.
       10. In the event of a removal of membership, the member shall be informed in writing by the Secretary. The member shall be given 21 days period to appeal to an Appeal Board constituted by the Executive Committee.
       11. The Appeal Board will examine whether the criteria for removal of membership was met and decision will be made within a period of three months. The decision of the Appeal Board shall be binding on the Society.
   11. Powers and functions of Executive Committee
       1. To manage the administration of the Society and take direct responsibility of its programs.
       2. To hold all assets of the Society and use them for the welfare of the target groups that the Society serves.
       3. To receive all receipts and make all payments and acquire and dispose of all wealth of the Society.
       4. To plan the programs and policies of the Society and prepare appropriate budgets for the programs and mobilise resources perceived in the plans and programs.
       5. To mortgage, sell or alienate any property of the Society for the benefit of the target group that the Society serves.
       6. To elect or appoint any casual vacancy of office-bearers of the Society from among the members of the Executive Committee.
       7. To appoint and terminate staff of the Society and its projects and decide their salaries and other terms and conditions of employment.
   12. Powers and Functions of the Office Bearers
       1. The General body in its meeting shall elect four office-bearers of the Society, President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. Office-bearers may be reelected to their own or to other positions. They shall continue as the office-bearers for the term of the Executive Committee as long as they enjoy the confidence of the General Body. The Executive Committee shall fill any casual vacancy of office-bearers on a majority decision.
   13. President
       1. The Annual General Meeting shall elect one of its members as President of the Society for a term of two years. In the event of absence of President the Vice-President shall exercise his powers and functions. The General Body in its next meeting shall fill any vacancy to the office of the President.
       2. The Executive Committee can suspend the President by a majority vote if he/she ceases to enjoy the confidence of the Executive Committee. The General Body can, by 2/3rd majority of the members present, remove the President if he/she ceases to enjoy the confidence of the General Body.
       3. The President shall preside over all meetings of the General body and Executive Committee of the Society.
       4. All assets of the Society shall be held in the name of the President.
       5. The bank accounts of the Society shall be operated by the President jointly with Treasurer.
       6. The President shall give directions to other office-bearers regarding the work to be undertaken for the Society.
       7. The President is empowered to exercise the casting vote in the event of a tie in any decision-making process relating to the Society.
       8. The President shall represent the Society either jointly with Secretary and other office-bearers or individually as decided by the Executive Committee.
       9. The President either jointly with Secretary and other office-bearers or individually as decided by the Executive Committee shall attend all legal proceedings for and against the Society.
   14. Vice ­ President
       1. The General body shall elect a Vice-President from one of its members in its meeting for a term of two years. The Vice-President shall exercise the powers of the President in his absence if authorised so by the President or approved by the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall fill any casual vacancy in the office of Vice-President by a majority vote.
       2. The Vice-President shall preside over the Executive Committee and General Body meeting in the absence of the President.
       3. The Vice-President shall exercise all powers of the President in the absence of the President, if the President is suspended, resigns or is removed, or if so decided by the Executive Committee.
       4. The Executive Committee can suspend the Vice-President by a majority vote if he/she ceases to enjoy the confidence of the Executive Committee. The General Body can, by 2/3rd majority of the members present, remove the Vice-President if he/she ceases to enjoy the confidence of the General Body.
   15. Secretary
       1. The Annual General Body Meeting shall elect a Secretary for the Society from among its members for a term of two years. The Executive Committee in its meeting shall fill any casual vacancy to the office of the Secretary.
       2. The Executive Committee can suspend the Secretary by a majority vote if he/she ceases to enjoy the confidence of the Executive Committee. The General Body can, by 2/3rd majority of the members present, remove the Secretary if he/she ceases to enjoy the confidence of the General Body.
       3. The Secretary shall hold the custody of all the documents of the Society.
       4. The Secretary shall manage the day-to­day affairs of the Society according to the directions of the President and resolutions of the Executive Committee.
       5. The Secretary shall implement the decisions of the Executive Committee and report the progress to the meetings of the Executive Committee.
       6. The Secretary shall summon all the meetings of the Executive Committee and General Body according to the directions of the President.
       7. The Secretary shall represent the Society jointly with the other office-bearers or severally according to the decision of the Executive Committee.
       8. The Secretary shall attend all legal proceedings for and against the Society jointly with the other office-bearers or severally.
       9. The Secretary shall initiate all communications and correspondence of the Society.
       10. The Secretary shall administer the petty cash of the Society and approve of all the receipts and payments.
   16. Treasurer
       1. The General Body in its meeting shall elect a Treasurer from among its members for a term of two years. The Executive Committee in its next meeting shall fill any casual vacancy in the office of the Treasurer.
       2. The Treasurer shall keep the books of accounts of the Society and operate the bank accounts of the Society jointly with President/Secretary or, if mandated by AGM, then on his own.
       3. The Treasurer shall present statements of accounts of the interim period in all the meetings of the Executive Committee and seek approval from the Executive Committee.
       4. The annual statement of audited accounts shall be presented by the Treasurer and seek the approval of the meeting of Executive Committee and General Body.
       5. The Executive Committee can suspend the Treasurer by a majority vote if he/she ceases to enjoy the confidence of the Executive Committee. The General Body can, by 2/3rd majority of the members present, remove the Treasurer if he/she ceases to enjoy the confidence of the General Body.
   17. Funds
       1. The funds of the Society comprised of membership fee, contributions, advances, grants and donations from members and others, loans from financial institutions, individuals and government bodies etc.
       2. All the funds of the Society shall be kept in bank/building society account and operated jointly by the President and Treasurer/Secretary.
       3. The treasurer is entitled to keep petty cash to a maximum of £300.00 (Three hundred pounds only) and all the petty cash vouchers shall be approved by the Secretary.
   18. Accounts/Audit
       1. All receipts and expenditure of the money shall be properly accounted and quarterly statement of accounts presented in the meeting of the Executive Committee by the Treasurer and approved by the Executive Committee.
       2. There shall be two internal auditors elected by the Annual General Body meeting for the auditing of the accounts for a term of two years. Such statements audited by the internal auditors shall be further verified by the Chartered Accountants if so required legally.
       3. Accounting period of the organisation is annual and the financial year is from 1st April to 31st March unless otherwise decided by the General body Meeting.
       4. A copy of the audited Annual Statement of Accounts approved by the General Body shall be disseminated among the General Body Members.
   19. Dissolution
       1. The quorum for the General Body meeting called to decide on the dissolution of the Society shall be 2/3 of the total members of the Society. The Society can be dissolved by a decision taken at the above General Body meeting with 2/3 majority of the members present and voting.
       2. On dissolution, the assets of the Society shall be handed over to any similar or other appropriate Society after liquidation and clearance of the liabilities.
   20. Advisor
       1. The Executive Committee may elect an advisor to advise the Executive Committee on its decision making process. The advice given by the advisor is however not binding on the Executive Committee.
   21. Amendments
       1. Any amendment to the constitution of the Society can be made by the General Body meeting of the Society with 2/3 majority of the members present and voting.

Dear Maithils and Mithila lovers,

The MCSUK Annual General Meeting (AGM), besides being a once-in-a-year opportunity to get-together for all Maithils living in the UK, also aims to be a delightfully colorful kaleidoscope of a gamut of facets of the rich mithila culture itself. The entire evening is usually programmed to present a cavalcade of mithila-specific aspects of the Indian culture such that in the end, a passive onlooker does walk away with a truly representative cross-section of the mithila culture in mind.

This page is usually updated a few months before every AGM with details on venue, timings, registration forms and registration fees to be paid. Please watch this space for further updates on our future AGMs.

MSC UK, AGM Organizing Committee

Payment Guidelines

Please also note:

• The fee for a family comprising 2 adults and 2 children (regardless of age) is £TBC
• Payments made at the venue on the day of the event will entail an additional handling charge of £TBC

Bank Details for Online Transfer

Mithila cultural society has been established to nurture and maintain the tradition of Maithil culture in UK and to encourage and influence British Mithil youth for their own Mithila culture and values. This is non profitable and non religious organisation.

Mithila was a Kingdom in Ancient India. It existed in the Eastern Gangetic Plains in areas which are today spread over Uttar Pradesh and the Bihar States of India, as well as parts of Nepal. The legend of Mithila extends over many centuries. Both Gautama Budha and Vandamana Mahavira are said to have lived in Mithila.

It also formed the centre of Indian History during the first millennium, and has contributed to various literacy and scriptural works. The dialect spoken in Mithila is “Maithili.” This dialect is categorized under the Bihari subset of the numerous dialects of Hindi, the most prevalently spoken language in India.

The best known reference to Mithilia is in the Hindi epic, Ramayana, where Lord Rama’s wife Sita is said to have been the Princess of the Land, born to King Janaka, who ruled Mithila from Janakpuri.

Objectives:

• To preserve the Mithila culture.
• To encourage and influence British Mithil youth in the UK of their own culture and values.
• To preserve the Unique Mithila culture in the UK Brithish youth.
• Awareness and promotion of Mithila Literature, Paintings, Lipi, Rituals, Festivals and Songs.
• To explore Maithili language for Maithil British Youth to make good practice in speaking, reading and writing.
• To establish relationships between nonresident and resident Maithil’s at one common platform to exchange views.

Mithila was a Kingdom in Ancient India. It existed in the Eastern Gangetic Plains in areas which are today spread over Uttar Pradesh and the Bihar States of India, as well as parts of Nepal.

In broad Sense, Maithil Culture is said to be originated in Janakpur of Nepal. Janakpur was the capital of Ancient Mithila. Maithil Culture is probably the only culture in South Asia which is the combination of Ancient Nepalese and Indian Culture as Sita of Nepal and Ram of India were married which showed the influence of Indian culture on Maithil culture although Maithil Culture is said to be of Nepalese origin in Hinduism-epic Ramayana from time to time.

The last ruler of Raj Darbhanga was Maharaja Bahadur Sir Kameshwar Singh.He died in 1962 without naming a successor.

The Khandaval dynasty was one of many Brahmin dynasties to rule in India, doing so in the Mithila/Tirhut region from the time of the Mughal emperor Akbar until the 1960s. They became known as the Raj Darbhanga. The extent of their lands, which were not contiguous, varied over time, and their area of ownership was smaller than the area that they were granted under sanad arrangements. A particularly significant reduction occurred when the influence of the British Raj caused them to lose control of the territories that were in Nepal but, nonetheless, their holdings were considerable. One estimate suggests that when their rule came to an end, the territories comprised around 6,200 square kilometres (2,400 sq mi), with around 4500 villages.