Here we are -
There are many people in exile, who are committed to make sure our culture / language / heritage is saved one way or the other. These are those unsung heroes of our community who are fighting to make sure our language and culture survives through this period of exodus.
We are still adding names to our list, if you feel there are more people who are doing similar work and should get wider audience, please share with us at admin@kashmirasitis.com
Athrot Foundation
The film has been written by Kanwal Peshin who is undoubtedly our cultural ambassador. The film is based on life and teachings of Mata Shri Roop Bhawani as a young father is telling this story to his son representing generation next, the script has covered all aspects and has been approved by Shri Alakh Sahiba Trust and Sh Satish Dhar. The Film was released in 2018
Keeping in view our future projects like a short Film on LALLESHWARI & BEEB DHARAM MEAJ we have decided to ask for donations and sponsorships and any decent amount for screening of Film will help us to complete future projects.
Our annual event Kashir Kalakaar 5 is starting OCt Nov 2020. Nearly 200 KP children are expected to take part this year.
Apart from this side whatever we gain goes to charity we support underprivileged children from community so far 121 Children have been provided help, 35 orphan Girls have been supported in Marriage and Medical Medical Emergency help is also being provided to orphans who do not have any support.
To support the cause, please get in touch with Pardeep Pandita (9810193292) & Kanwal Peshin (8803237047)
Core sharda team
The team “ CORE Shaarda team” who has been working hard from 2006 have been propagating the Shaarda through various sources. Today the team is about 400+ members and is connected with 250 Sharda Scholars, who have been conducting online classes and workshops to promote the Shaarda within community.
They are running courses on WhatsApp, helping the community to get hands on in writting Kashmiri in Sharda Lipi.
To promote Sharda Lipi, the team is also publishing Maatrika, an quarterly journal exclusively on Sharda lipi.
The team has a sub team – Lal Vaakh Mandali, who is doing a tremendous job in working towards spreading the knowledge on Lal Vaakhs – decoding them and documenting them.
Visit them at – https://www.shardalipi.com/
Divine Valley
The purpose of ‘Divine Valley‘ is to explore Kashmiri Saints , Temples and Tradition with the respective SMEs and researchers.
An attempt to preserve this knowledge for future using a digital youtube channel – a more receptive medium for younger generations.
Our focus is to delve primarily into the ancient and rarely known temples to revive their lost glory, essence and heritage. So that out of mere ignorance these don’t end up in ruins for ever.
Subscribe to their channel on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxQ9MCN6VCnPNqRC2LbjTlA/featured
Pragaash e-Magazine & Project Wali Zaan Karav - Sh. MK Raina
We started Harvan in August 2007, a monthly e-journal of Project Zaan to engage people with the language and culture of Kashmir. It continued till Dec 2008 after which I had to suspend it because of my assignments at Dubai. After my retirement from the Company, I restarted the journal in July 2018 with the new name Praagaash (I was impressed by the Praagaash programme of Radio Kashmir in 1980s).
Since one year, the journal has won tremendous readership from Kashmir Valley. Contributions are recived from both Pandits and Muslims.
All are welcome to contribute to Praagaash with a rider. We don’t publish anything that generates hate between people, groups or communities. No politics and no orthodox religious material.
Praagaash carries content in English, Urdu, Hindi, Nastaliq Kashmiri, Devanagari Kashmiri and Zaan Roman Kashmiri. It continues to be dedicated to Kashmiri language and culture.
For Pragaash, M.K.Raina (Mumbai) is its Editor, T.N.Dhar Kundan (Bangalore) is Guide and Consulting Editor and Dr Zarka Batul (London) is Overseas Coordinator.
I am also helping to create the value added lessons in Kashmiri Language which will help the younger generation to Learn Kashmiri Language.
You can subscribe to my You Tube channel – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKL8plDR04Zd-ivkroMM8ng
Website – http://mkraina.com/
KMECT
Mission of KASHMIRI MEDICAL EMERGENCY AND CHARITABLE TRUST (KMECT) is to fund the displaced needy persons and payments are made directly either to treating hospitals for medical emergencies and to chemists for purchase of medicines for sustenance patients. This is a registered Trust by the people for the people and has trustees and associated members all across the world who make arrangements with many philanthropic organizations and individuals for providing the support to the needy. Trust is a non political, non profitable, charitable organization without any political association whatsoever. Trust operation is transparent, open & all financial transactions are put across social media and on internet & web site. Contributors desiring to remain anonymous are handled confidentially.
If you are willing to make any contributions please get in touch with –
B.L. SADHU sadhubansilal@gmail.com
SUNIL K THUSU sunilkthusu@gmail.com
JATINDER KAW jatinder.kaw@gmail.com
Kashmiri Pandit Culture - Smt. Ujval Handu
Namaskar, I am Ujval Handu. l started my YouTube channel—Kashmiri Pandit Culture on 31st March,2019. My journey from watching others’ videos to creating my own videos on YouTube has been a challenge for me.
In late 1950’s my parents shifted from Srinagar to New Delhi. All their four children were born in Delhi but brought up in Kashmiri environment .Though my parents spoke Kashmiri at home but we as children seldom spoke in kashmiri and whatever we spoke was never up to the mark. My mother, a housewife was always there to groom us. Her religious leanings helped me in learning many things as a child. My father was fond of kashmiri music. He would often listen to Radio Kashmir and enjoy Zoon Dab. Later he purchased many cassettes of kashmiri songs. I could hardly understand the lyrics , but still enjoyed the music . Though we, as kids were not fluent in speaking kashmiri, but we were getting regular doses of our language and culture at home.
After graduating I started my job as a librarian. With time my command over the language increased. Marrying into a Kashmiri household further helped me hone my speaking skills. Domestic life kept me occupied until recently, when I realized that the next generation suffered from the dearth of knowledge regarding our culture.
Upon introspection I even found myself to be ignorant regarding several aspects of my culture. I understood just how dependent we were on our elders to guide us in matters related to religion and culture. The situation has worsened after KP exodus of 1990 and that it was our responsibility to do the same for the next generation. My job profile as a librarian in Archaeological Survey of India further developed my interest in preservation of my culture.
This led me to learning more about my culture through books and the internet. I found the information regarding our culture on platforms like YouTube, albeit in a scattered form. That’s when I got the idea to condense all the information in matters related to our culture (to be precise, related to rituals, festivals, folktales, language, literature, stotras, leelas etc.) into brief videos which were easily accessible to everyone. This led to the formation of my YouTube channel, which as of now, at the time when I am writing this has a total of 1 lakh views on 60 videos
Kashmiri Pandit Culture will showcase the culture of our Biradari. The videos are made after thoroughly studying the subject. The content is thorough and the language simple. The videos are made in Hindi language intentionally so as to cater to a wider audience particularly the younger generation of our Biradari who sometimes find it difficult to comprehend Kashmiri Language. It will provide answers to the HOWs and WHYs of our inquisitive minds.
Subscribe to the You Tube channel – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChmcpQSKqUvqsDFopiicE4w/featured
Kashmiri pandit network - Sh. sunil fotedar
Sh. Sunil Fotedar, started the Kashmiri Pandit Network in 1990’s even when internet was not common in every household. It is only with his efforts today we have the first hand information and a complete repository on culture and heritage of Kashmiri Pandits.
Visit the website – http://ikashmir.net/intro.html
Kashmiri language - Sh. BL Kaul (Deep)
I am B L KAUL. “DEEP” is my Pen Name. Retired from RBI in 2004. I have had my career from stage Kala Kendre in Srinagar Kashmir starting from 1959-60 and acted in some Kashmiri plays. I was a volunteer of Samaj Sudhar Samiti, Shivala Mandir, Srinagar. I started my own Drama Theatre known as Indian National Theatre (INT) in 1969 and produced, directed and acted in my own-written Play “Kati Tasveer”. I had written one more play “Manhoos”, which was directed by me and was produced and presented in Tagore Hall, Srinagar. The said play in Hindustani language was staged during annual drama festival there at Srinagar.
I have directed and produced many plays in Kashmiri as well as Hindi/Urdu and have acted also in many plays.
I was transferred to Jammu in 1973 where I was running Dada Phalkey Dramatic and Cultural Club and produced and directed a few plays and staged them at Gulab Bhawan as well as Abhinav Theatre, Jammu. I became approved voice for Radio Kashmir, Jammu and took part in a few radio plays. Due to my touring job I could not continue with radio. I was transferred to Kanpur in 1995 and became a member of IPTA, a unit running in Kanpur. I did a few Nukud Nataks there.
I have written a few skits, a few radio talks also. I have switched over to lyrics and have been writing in Kashmiri as well as Hindi/Urdu languages. I have three CDs to my credit, Kanger, Om and Souz-e-Dil. Kanger is DVD and the rest two are CDs. I have translated in Kashmiri language a few verses of Dr.C.B. Satpathy, Chairman Sai Global Trust and the said translated work has been given the name as Guru Bhagvat and was launched on the 100 yrs. of Sai Baba celebrated in Gurgaon in 2018. I have edited a book on Sai Baba in Kashmiri language. I have dramatised a few scripts meant for radio; I have translated a few cookery shows in Kashmiri language for DD Kashir. I have a book of songs to my credit viz. Navi Zeche (नवि ज़ॖच़ॖ) and have authored one book “Koshur Qaide” alongwith one more friend of mine, viz Shri Arvind Shah.
Presently I am serving my Kashmiri Community through various social Organisations like KMWA, Indirapuram, Kashmiri Pandit Sabha, Pratap Vihar, KKS, Gurgaon, Crossing Republic. I have conducted various workshops on Kashmiri language in Delhi, NCR, Jagti/ Bhutanagar/ Bhori Jammu alongwith Dr. Ramesh Razdan. I have given Kashmiri lessons to the students of a school in Pitampura alongwith Dr. Uday Kakroo Ji. I had a small role in one Doordarshan Play too produced by my friends viz Behari Kak and Ravinder Kaul. Last but not the least I send Kashmiri lessons through my mobile daily to various groups thereby trying to promote our rich Kashmiri cultural heritage and this lesson has gone global. I write Kashmiri language in Nastaliq (Urdu) as well as in Devanagari (Koshur). I read, write and speak Urdu, Hindi and English. Moreover I have created a group on my mobile “वरमाला” It serves as Matrimonial just to avoid Intercaste Marriages and to help my community people to get interacted through it. All these services are free and honorary. Needless to say that my rev. father Late Pt. Gulshan Kaul happened to be an Associate of Shri Keshav Bando in bringing some reforms in the community way back in 1940s but he expired in his prime youth and I was just 3-4 years old that time.
These days I am sending daily updates and koshur sabak among the Kashmiri pandit groups. My Hand Folded Namaskar to all of you! Download KP’s most loved App – Kashmiri Calendar from Google Play and Apple Store Android : iOS : https://apps.apple.com/app/1518412829 Mahadev Bless our community!!
Website –
Kashmiri Calendar - Sh. Robin raina
As we all know “necessity is mother of all inventions”, it was during my initial college days, when I came to Mumbai for studies, My family used to call me like any other koshur pandit family to remind me about the important days and rituals to be followed.
So the idea clicked that why not create a Koshur Panchang that should be so easy to understand that our exiled community youth can easily understand and they can still be fully connected with our
rituals and customs. This is how Kashmiri Calendar App came into inception.
Best part of the App is it sends one day prior notifications for any big events, so that our community
members will not miss it and can follow it.
People living abroad, Out of J&K, during travel, youth, elders etc. all are using it and have made this
App a huge success with 40,000 + Active users and 4.8/5 ratings from 2000+ Users.
Let our youth be ready to take the charge of community with the blessings of our elders.
Let’s take a pride in being in Kashmiri and keep trying to serve our community as best as possible.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=kashmiricalander_by_robinraina.kashmiricalander
Miltsar - Sh. Dalip Langoo
With the advent of new-age, we at MILTSAR have decided to ensure that the diverse world is actually one family and all diverse communities need to come under one global roof and live peacefully even if there is a pluralistic society. Righteous aspects of all thoughts and instructions need to be highlighted through all means to make it reach to the common man and inspirational music should run in all veins to ensure harmonious living all around.
You can visit them at – http://www.miltsar.com/
Search Kashmir - Sh. Vinayak Razdan
I have been running ‘searchkashmir’ for about 10 years now (in 2020).
It started as a page for logging all the things about Kashmir I was discovering as I learnt them. 10 years back there were not many old photographs of Kashmir available online.
So I started collecting them from various books and posting online.
The reason for all this is just to remember. And to help others remember clearly also.
Visit website – https://www.searchkashmir.org/
Kashmir Herald
Kashmir Herald is an attempt to unmask the truths behind the mayhem perpetrated in the name of religion in the State of Jammu & Kashmir in India. This online news and opinion journal’s objective is to educate policy makers as well general masses about the ground realities in the State of Jammu & Kashmir in India. It explores the depths of the so-called Kashmir issue and does not hesitate to point fingers in the conflict. The Kashmir Herald is written for people who need to know what’s really happening in the State of Jammu & Kashmir and what it really means.
Kashmir Senital
KASHMIR SENTINEL is the largest monthly newspaper published from Jammu by the PANUN KASHMIR FOUNDATION of Kashmiri Pandits. Continued publication of this paper is a result of dedicated group of people who keep the project going on inspite of the meagre resources.
Visit at – https://kashmirsentinel.in/
Koshur Samachar
Kashmiri Samiti Delhi (Regd), is one of the premier and oldest Kashmiri Pandit organisations in World. They are the team behind the publication of Koshur Samachar. Koshur Samachar takes appropriate measures and steps to promote the Kashmiri language and preserve the cultural and social heritage of Kashmiri’s, to promote an understanding and enrichment of the moral values and cultural heritage of our society for the forthcoming generation; and to organise and celebrate social and cultural function with these ends in view.
Visit them at – https://www.
Naad
AIKS a Kashmiri Pandit organisation, publishes Naad. The objective of Naad is to highlight community cause. It is published with articles on multiple subject matters related to KPs that serves community in one way or the other.
Visit them at – https://www.aiks.org/
AIKS
All India Kashmiri Samaj was formed as a support organisation for the Kashmiri Samaj, and consisted of Kashmiri Pandits living outside Kashmir. The role of the Samaj was to create a nationwide awareness campaign about the communal violence against the pandits of Kashmir. They aim to to represent the mainstream voice of Kashmiri Pandits across the globe and reclaim our legitimate space in Kashmir – Social, Cultural, Economical & Political
Visit at – https://www.aiks.org/
(excerpts are taken from AIKS website)
Satisar foundation
Aims to preserve and promote the age-old Values of Kashmiri Hindu Cultural tradition which includes language, philosophy, art and literature, history, sciences and the spiritual tradition
Visit at – https://satisar.org/index.html
(excerpts are taken from Satisar Foundation website)
YAIKS
Youth All India Kashmiri Samaj or YAIKS is a separate entity and presently no links with AIKS. This organisation has been campaigning for the full implementation of Prime Ministers employment package for the Kashmiri Pandit youth.The Prime Ministers employment package, aimed at providing jobs to 6000 displaced Kashmiri Pandit, was announced in April 2008. Today more than 4500 youth are in kashmir Valley becoz of their efforts and initiative. Apart from establishing VITASTA Charitable Hospital Jammu, YAIKS does the ground work to support the needy.
(Information as received by Sh RK Bhat, President YAIKS)
All India Kashmiri Samaj was formed as a support organisation for the Kashmiri Samaj, and consisted of Kashmiri Pandits living outside Kashmir. The role of the Samaj was to create a nationwide awareness campaign about the communal violence against the pandits of Kashmir. They aim to to represent the mainstream voice of Kashmiri Pandits across the globe and reclaim our legitimate space in Kashmir – Social, Cultural, Economical & Political
Visit at – https://www.aiks.org/
(excerpts are taken from AIKS website)
Panun Kashmir
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Kashmiri Hindus (Pandits) are in exile since early 1990 after Islamic religious fundamentalists in the valley of Kashmir took to armed subversion and terrorism and drove them out of their centuries old habitat.
Besides being a struggle for survival as a cultural entity and an ancient race, PANUN KASHMIR is a movement for the political survival of over 700,000 Kashmiri Pandits in their birthland. |
Visit at – http://www.panunkashmir.org/
Vidhya Gauri Gadoo Research Centre
Chaman Lal Gadoo, born in the year 1937 at Srinagar, Kashmir has been ardent Hindu nationalist from an early age. His father Pandit Janki Nath Gadoo, a teacher by profession, was a highly learned Kashmiri Pandit and his Mother Smt. Ragniya Gadoo, was a noble house wife, with a spiritual and religious discipline, and social bonding. She left for heavenly abode, at an early age. His Wife Smt. 
Vidya Gauri Gadoo was organizing & training commissioner, Bharat Scouts and Guides, Delhi State. Chaman Lal completed his early education at Srinagar and received technical education in Electronics Engineering and Industrial management at Delhi. While he chose engineering as his profession, he has always been a self-less social activist and a writer with keen observation and clear expression. He worked with Tata’s NELCO for 17 years then that started his own manufacturing and sales enterprise. He has traveled
throughout the length and breadth of the country.
The order of the list random (we have tried to keep it alphabetic) – it does not mean preference.
The list is still incomplete and we are compiling the long list of the community servers in present times. If you have details of any such esteemed person, please do share with us at admin@kashmirasitis.com
