Remember our Past to Preserve Kashmiri Pandit Heritage

Namaskar 🙏

After seven exoduses and the heartbreaking genocide of Kashmiri Pandits, my heart aches with the weight of our collective loss. Yet, amidst the sorrow, I find a flicker of hope, a beacon guiding us towards a future. As we endeavor to preserve and honor our rich Kashmiri Pandit heritage, I am dedicated to nurturing a strong bond between our U.S.-based community and our ancestral homeland.

Many people have asked me why am I so focused on the Kashmiri community? I strongly remind them that as a first hand witness to the genocide, I feel more passionately about our community and work hard to preserve it.

Preservation also means remembering our past. Today, November 4, holds special significance as it marks the 35th death anniversary of the late Honorable Judge Shri Neelkanth Ganjoo ji, a revered figure in our history. It is our duty to keep our history alive by honoring the memory of those who have made profound sacrifices so that we can continue to thrive and allow future generations to be proud of our roots.

Our Heritage: A Vision for the Future

Invoking the above sentiments into action to preserve our KP heritage requires an entire community. I have been grateful to lead and be part of many initiatives but want to highlight four in my capacity as a KOA Board member:

In my capacity as a Board member among many others things that I did I am highlighting a few that I have worked and have championed :

1. Giving Kashmiris a Voice: Organizing various events in the Bay Area, in collaboration with other Hindu organizations, to ensure that our voices are heard and so many people who have sacrificed their lives are remembered and honored. 
2. Education: Me and a team of volunteers had taken the initiative to conduct comprehensive classes for children, focusing on the Kashmiri language, music, art and culture. These classes were designed to immerse young minds in our rich heritage, teaching them not only the language but also the customs, traditions, and history that define our community. Through engaging lessons and interactive activities, I aimed to instill a deep appreciation and understanding of our cultural roots in the next generation.
3. Building a Cultural Hub: I am a strong Advocate for the construction of a Kashmir-themed temple and community center in the U.S., providing a sacred space for worship, cultural events, and community gatherings. I personally feel that we have not only survived but thrived across the globe, and establishing a world-class Kashmiri Temple and Heritage Center here in the U.S. will symbolize our resilience, hard work, and hope. It will serve as a powerful rebuttal to all the forces that tried to wipe us out and mark our resurgence. This center will be a tribute to the pillars of our success—our parents, grandparents, teachers, activists, and administrators—who ensured every KP kid had access to education, and everyone else who touched our lives and made us who we are today.
4. US-Based Jantari: Finally, a project that I have actively championed for the past couple of years is the U.S.-based Jantri project. Please listen to the testimonial from our community veteran Shri SB Kaul ji and why I chose to advocate for a significant portion of our membership who requested this tool for maintaining our cultural practices and rituals. 

I encourage you to visit my site or check out my manifesto to get more details about my shared vision for our community and I am always open to feedback.

Orzuv,

Uphaar

"Agar n aes t tel kus? Agar n yeti, t tel kyeti? Agar n az, t tel kar?"
(If not us, then who? If not here, then where? If not now, then when? )