My Contribution

My Journey as KOA Zone 9 Director:  Leadership, Cultural Preservation, and Community Engagement

Current Role in KOA

  • Currently serving my third term as Zone 9 Director since 2020.
Major Events Organized
  • Organized 25+ major zonal events over the past five years, including Exodus Day, Balidan Diwas, Herath, Navreh Havan, Diwali, and more.
  • Actively involved in the planning and execution team for the West Coast camps.
Community Engagement During COVID-19
  • Engaged the community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic by organizing a diverse array of sessions, including meditation and yoga, designed to enhance well-being and foster a sense of togetherness.
  • Successfully facilitated more than 50 enriching sessions for children, exploring topics such as history, culture, language, music, and the arts to support their educational development.
  • Coordinated a range of virtual zonal events to strengthen community bonds and maintain connections during these challenging times.

  • Served as the camp commander for the first-ever virtual national camp during COVID, featuring innovative activities such as:

     Inter-zone Antakshari
    • A creative video contest
    • A painting auction for fundraising
    • A virtual concert by Aabha Hanjura and other artists from the U.S. and India.
KOA digital assets
  • Developed KOA's COVID-19 website, which facilitated fundraising efforts and ensured financial transparency for donors.
  • Partnered with numerous volunteers and organizations across the globe to offer resources and support where it was most needed.
  • Launched KOA's YouTube channel.
KOA Awards and Recognition
  • Recognized with the KOA President Award by both Dr. Shakun Malik and Dr. Archana Kakroo, the KOA Presidents I have had the privilege to work with.
Advocacy for U.S.-Based Jantari:
  • An active advocate for the U.S.-based Jantari project, which was initiated by Sh S. B. Kaul ji. I played a key role in launching its inaugural printed edition in Zone 9 in 2024.
  • The 2024-25 Jantari, tailored specifically for the U.S. time zone, is now available for everyone to access here.
Empowering Youth Through Community Engagement
  • Actively collaborated with KOA youth and local young individuals to engage them in a diverse range of community events. This initiative not only fostered leadership skills and a sense of belonging among participants but also promoted cultural awareness and encouraged active participation in our community’s rich traditions and activities.
Creative Contributions
  • Composed and performed Kashmiri plays and poetry at numerous KOA events.

Surabhi's Passion for Volunteerism and Community Support

  • My wife, Surabhi, shares my passion for community service and has taken the lead on several initiatives for children, including:
    • Creating the 'Lockchar' KP-themed digital magazine
    • Conceptualizing and conducting the 'Koshur Bee' contest
    • Organizing virtual summer camps to engage children in India and promote a positive outlook during the COVID wave
  • During the COVID pandemic, she was an active frontline volunteer, providing support to local communities in the Bay Area.
  • Furthermore, she took the lead of KOA's COVID response team during the devastating second wave in India, uniting diverse groups and collaborating with various global organizations to support our community.
  • For her exceptional community service during the COVID crisis, she received the KOA President Award and recognition from various KP organizations.
  • Dedicated volunteer involved in organizing and supporting all KOA 9 Zone events for over 10 years.
  • She currently serves as a board member of HemAth, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering displaced Kashmiri women by providing them with the resources, support, and opportunities needed to regain their independence and thrive in their communities.