Meaning: This word is used in Marathi Kirtan. Kirtan has 2 parts : Purva Rang and Uttar Rang.

What is it? Our life has 2 phases: Life until age of 50 and life beyond the age of 50.

BMM's UttarRang activity is related to life of people who are over 50, but children of such people also have an important role and say. In short, UttarRang for BMM means Collective Actions to help Marathi people to age gracefully.

Why UttarRang: We have common experiences and cultural background which we want to share. We have common issues to discuss. We started with Mandal, then BMM and MAIYTRA. Next step of this evolution is UttarRang. We need to have a productive, peaceful and enjoyable life after 50. How can we achieve this? We also need to face the problems of aging. Can we face them collectively as a community? UttarRang will help to find the answers and solutions.

Mile stones:

1983: First time Panel Discussion on Retirement planning.

1991: First time discussion about Retirement Community for Marathi People.

1991 to 2005: Informal group created awareness, organized group meetings. 55plus groups started in NJ, Washington DC and other areas. An article “AABha ( Ashram of American Bharatiya) the Evening Glory" was published in NY BMM convention Smaranika. It describes the concept and design of Retirement Community for Indians.

2004: BMM vritta started a column to give a forum to discuss various aspects of aging and aging in N. America.

2005: The first 2 day Conference to discus issues, aspirations and options for 55 plus age group people of Indian origin. This was organized by Sapres, Gores and Mehtas. ( Los Angeles area)

2006: 2nd 2 day conference on Successful Aging in New Jersey. Organized by Avinash Deshpande, Jagadish Vasudeo, Ashok Sapre and Ashok Gore.

2007: BMM EC recognized the need to bring UttarRang Group under BMM Umbrella. 2 hour session on “ Graceful Aging in BMM convention.

2008: A committee “ Uttarang Kruti Samiti” was appointment by BMM President and this committee submitted to BMM EC. This paper was published in BMM Vritta. (Ashok Sapre, Ashok Gore, Vishwanath Date and Vishwas Tadwalkar)

2009: 3 Hour conference on Graceful Aging in BMM Convention.

Role of BMM

1. Provide leadership for addressing opportunities, issues and concerns of 50 plus people ( Especially Marathi) in North America.

2. Provide a common platform.

3. Provide a common database of “50 plus” people”, “55Plus” groups and retirement communities.

4. Help people to deal with aging parents in India ( with the NRIPO)

Future Plan (Recommended Actions by the Kruti Samiti for BMM)

Summary: Virtual and Actual retirement communities for Marathi. Support system in the Marathi Community. Dialogue with the other Indian communities. Raise awareness of available services to seniors in North America.

Details:

Short Term (1-2 years):

1. Create a dedicated UttarRang wing (people, budget, and goals) within the BMM organization and appoint a member to the BMM Executive committee to lead and nurture UttarRang.

2. Highlight UttarRang and its goals at the Philadelphia convention in 2009.

3. Establish "proposed UttarRang activities" as one of the criteria in evaluating proposals for the future BMM conventions.

4. Encourage and facilitate establishing UttarRang activities in each Marathi Mandal, such as the 55plus group in NJ, NY area.

5. Help oragnize events, nationally and locally, to increase awareness of UttarRang life, and to enhance networking among seniors for group travel tours, home exchanges and/or guest hosting programs, volunteer activities in India and USA etc.

6. Expand communication channels and information networks for UttarRang within BMM the umbrella, including NRIPO and other Marathi seniors groups in other countries.

Mid-Term (2-5 years):

1. Collect UttarRang related data among Marathi people: Demographics and geographic distribution, Retirement communities where Sms are living etc 

2. Conduct a survey to identify and prioritize issues and concerns of seniors.  

3. Dedicate a day at each BMM convention for UttarRang conference (Exhibits, Lectures, social events etc.)

4. Facilitate creating groups of seniors interested in moving into specific exsting retirement communities in various geographic regions.

Long-term (5-10 years):

1. Facilitate establishing a retirement community tailored to serve Marathi and other Indian communities.

2. Expand communication channels and information networks for UttarRang within BMM the umbrella, including NRIPO and other Marathi seniors groups in other countries.

If you want to volunteer or get more information; Contact Ashoksapre@hotmail.com, Ashokygore@gmail.com

For the Article “AABha” : vidyahardikar@hotmail.com

White Paper:
Original document is available on http://bmmonline.org, in the newsletter archives of June 2008 issue.
Click here for the updated document. 

For general thoughts ion Uttarrang, click here for the article by Vidya Hardikar.