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Kashmir Hindu Foundation launched

News and Events

Kashmir Hindu Foundation launched
Fremont, CA (USA) September 4, 2009

ashmir Hindu Foundation (KHF) has been launched today in the USA, with an ambitious plan to create a Kashmiri Cultural Center, the first such center outside India.

The Kashmiri Cultural Center will provide home to the expression of arts and culture, where the richness of Kashmiri Hindu heritage will be showcased. For all the Kashmiri Hindus in the USA and in other parts of the world, it will provide a window to the beautiful valley and through this glorious view, create a stark contrast as a reminder of their painful exodus from Kashmir. It will provide an opportunity to the world to learn and experience the culture of Kashmir, with its spiritual gurus, soulful poetry and music, Kashmir Shaivism, arts, history and the humanities. This center will house a library with potentially the largest collection of books on Kashmir.

The launch of this global Kashmir Hindu Foundation comes at an opportune time, to spotlight the interests and needs of the once glorious Kashmiri Hindu community, now dwindling and scattered around the globe. Yet, these Kashmiri Hindus add to the richness of the communities where they presently reside and organized efforts of the KHF will also help to preserve and better channel their contributions. Kashmiri Hindu Foundation will serve to:

Promote and encourage the contributions of Kashmiri Hindus worldwide
Improve the lives of those of our community who may be facing hard times and bring them hope
Increase awareness of external threats to the community and issues within and help develop and implement meaningful solutions.

Kashmiri Hindu Foundation is committed to creating awareness and understanding of the traditional culture of Kashmiri Pandits through diverse media such as music, theater, literature and related arts. It will drive efforts to raise funds for the Kashmir Cultural Center and will be a key proponent of ‘Connect to Kashmir’ events. The organization will help to launch a worldwide print edition of the existing online news magazine that has already established itself to the world as the voice of the Kashmiri.

It is recognized that no Kashmiri Hindu organization can ignore the plight of the old, untended and underprivileged among us. This organization will increase awareness regarding the painful effects of the exodus on the population of Kashmiri Hindus and organize efforts for their mitigation.

Many prominent Kashmiri Pandits from US, India and other countries are excited to be part of the projects undertaken by KHF.

“Showcasing the richness of our culture and remembering the cruel extermination of Kashmiri Hindus from Kashmir is perhaps the most important and most effective shield against the danger of losing our identity”, declared Ankit Monga from California.

KulBhushan Razdan of Illinois, ex-Director of Kashmiri Overseas Association said, “This organization will be based on continual learning and growing, service and love and not withdrawal and hate.”

Echoing Mr. Razdan’s comments, Mr. Mohan Bamzai a long time resident of Chicago said, “The time has come to establish Kashmir Hindu Foundation to promote our culture and pass on our rich heritage to our young people. Our culture will not die as some people have predicted. It will continue to blossom in a rich diverse society of the future in this world. The time has come to show our brilliance collectively.”

Deepak Ganju of Florida, Managing Editor of Shehjar Magazine and Ex-President of KOA strongly feels a need to create special arts and culture projects and support these with a sustained funding mechanism. He further reiterated that "To create an awareness and understanding of the traditional culture of Kashmiri Pandits through diverse mediums such as music, theater, literature, publication and related arts is required to keep our community alive"

Dr, Anil Kaul of Oklohoma, a proud recipient of the Science Achiever of the Year award for his research on infectious diseases and Director of the Asia-Pacific region for the International Infectious Diseases Society for Obstetricians & Gynecologists will look for opportunities to collaborate with similar Indian and overseas organizations to promote the activities of Kashmir Hindu Foundation.

The foundation will be a tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of USA, and will be operated exclusively for exempt purposes set forth. Please stay tuned for more details, which will be forthcoming in the coming days.

Mr. Ankit Monga is a transformational activist who believes Kashmiri Hindus need to transform on the inside as well as outside in order to create any meaningful change for them, culturally and politically. Pained to see the turbulent events in Kashmir in 1989, he promised to himself to do whatever he can to connect back to the roots and bring back the glory of living in Kashmir. Landed in US in early 90’s he led several events, debates, and parades for over a decade in San Francisco bay area so Kashmiri Hindu voice can be heard everywhere.

He also promotes the cultural activities in US including Kashmiri Music, Arts, literature and is a founder and Executive member of KP National Camp committee that brings several hundred Kashmiri Hindu families throughout North America at one place yearly to celebrate being Kashmiri Hindu.

Mr. Monga believes it is time for Kashmiri Hindu to introspect and do some soul searching. Focus should be on the positive energy and Big Picture. His mantra that Kashmiri Hindu power should not be power over someone, but rather power to unleash collective creativity in creating a rejuvenating Kashmiri Hindu society that commands enough respect to demand anything for them has resonated very well with young generation. Mr. Monga lives in Silicon Valley and is a High Technology professional with experience dealing with Fortune 500 companies.

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