AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

1. KOA Camp Coordinators:

Ramesh and Neeru Ganju
Inderjit and Sunita Kaul
Rakesh and Nitu Kaul

For their outstanding efforts and dedication in organizing the KOA 2007 Annual Camp at Moodus, CT

2. Hari Bhat: Chairperson, Nomination/Election Committee for conducting with efficiency, timeliness, and impartiality the KOA’s nomination and election process of 2006
3. Deepak Ganju (KOA President, 2005-2006): In recognition of devoted and valuable services rendered to this organization and its membership
4. Sharda and Satish Cherwoo: For their long-term and sustained commitment and support of KOA and its programs
5. Kul Bhushan Razdan: For his leadership in organizing the first ever KOA Convention in 2006, which provided a platform for building support for KOA and its programs

Based on the recommendation of the 2006 selection committee, Padamshri Jagan Nath  Kaul of Faridabad, Haryana, India was awarded 2006 KOA Annual Award for Excellence.

The award plaque alongwith a check for $500.00 as award prize money to the charity of Shri Kaul’s choice was made in the name of Kashmiri Sewak Samaj (KSS), Faridabad.

The award was presented by Deepak Ganju, KOA President and Mohan Bamzai, Chairman Selection committee at KOA general Body meeting held on July 3rd, 2006 at KOA Convention, Chicago.

Mr. Sidharth Ganju, Director KOA received this award on behalf of Padamshri Jagan Nath Kaul lovingly called 'Papaji'. The award will be handed over to papaji's daughter Dr. Kalpana Kinni from Atlanta who was unable to attend the ceremony because of prior commitments.

The award money will be utilized for giving Scholarships to Boy and Girl students staying in Jammu and Udhampur camps. Dr. Kalpana Kinni will be taking the award to India to be handed over to Papaji.

KOA Annual Award of Excellence for Kashmiri Pandits was initiated this year in an effort to recognize and reward the accomplishments and achievements of Kashmiri Pandits across the globe. We were striving to honor individuals who have made our community proud.

The selection committee comprising of Sh. Mohan Bamzai, IL, Sh. HiraL Fotedar, OH and Sh. Subash Razdan, GA had, through a consensus, selected Padamshri J. N. Kaul as the recipient of this prestigious award.

Padamshri Jagan Nath Kaul is the President of SOS Children's Villages of India (www.soscvindia.org) and is lovingly called as 'Papaji' by the children. SOS India provides a home for almost 15,000 children in 34 Children's Villages, located in various parts of the country.

Padamshri Jagan N. Kaul has been a role model for millions of people around the globe. To learn more about Shri Kaul, you may visit http://jnkaul.blogspot.com.

KOA plans to give this award annually to deserving persons on a regular basis hereafter so that our community is inspired by such success stories within our brethren. 

Awards Selection Committee:

YEAR 2003:

1. Smriti Nakhasi (MD): For her selfless effort and dedication in pursuing KOA’s initiative of Kashmir Language Institute and for organizing the second Kashmiri Culture and Language Course for young adults in 2002.
2. Preeti Wali (NY): For her selfless effort and dedication in pursuing KOA’s initiative of Kashmir Language Institute and for organizing the second Kashmiri Culture and Language Course for young adults in 2002.
3. Vikram Dhar (NY): For his selfless effort and dedication in pursuing KOA’s initiative of Kashmir Language Institute and for organizing the second Kashmiri Culture and Language Course for young adults in 2002.
4. Seema Mattoo (CA): For her outstanding community service, for her passion and selfless dedication to preserving Kashmiri culture and for organizing the first and second Kashmiri Youth Camp in Southern California.
5. Monica Bhat (CA): For her outstanding community service, for her passion and selfless dedication to preserving Kashmiri culture and for organizing the first and second Kashmiri Youth Camp in Southern California.
6. Vijay Kaul (FL): For his dedication to community work, and for his leadership and efforts for the KOA organization. He served on the KOA board as a Director from Zone 1 for 4 years (1999-2002). His outstanding efforts have brought the community closer together in KOA Zone 1.
7. Sarla Warikoo (NJ): For her dedication to community work, for her efforts to preserve Kashmiri culture, and for her efforts for the KOA organization. She served on the KOA board as a Director from Zone 3 for 3 years (2000-2002).
8. Suman K. Hukku (MI): For community service and leadership in maintaining democratic values of KOA’s election process. Shri Hukku served as the Chief Election Officer of KOA for the last two years (2001-2003). He ran the process very professionally and meticulously. He along with the other members of his team spent numerous hours of their time in addressing several procedural issues relating to the elections.
9. Monika Dhar (Rangroo) (CA): Monika launched Kashmiri language classes for young children and adults in Bay Area. She also led Kashmiri cooking sessions by setting up cooking workshops on weekends at the homes of different KP families. Her initiatives in these two areas have helped preserve the KP culture among Bay area residents.
10. Sudha Kaul: For her dedication and contribution towards preserving Kashmiri culture
11. Sandeep and Bhawna Sadhu (MA): For their outstanding efforts and dedication in organizing the KOA 2003 Annual Camp at Moodus, CT

YEAR 2002:

1. Komal Bazaz (MD): For her selfless effort and dedication in starting an initiative in the form of Kashmir Language Instituteand for organizing the first ever Kashmiri Culture and LanguageCourse for young adults in 2001.
2. Sonal Bakaya (MD): For her selfless effort and dedicationi n starting an initiative in the form of Kashmir Language Institute and for organizing the first ever Kashmiri Culture and LanguageCourse for young adults in 2001.
3. Brij Kachru (IL): For his outstanding community service, for his Passion and selfless dedication to preserving Kashmiri Language and for his support of KOA’s Kashmir Language Institute.
4. Ashok Koul (RI): For his dedication to preserving Kashmiri Language and for his support of KOA’s Kashmir Language Institute
5. Vijay Dhar (CA): For his dedication, community work, and for his leadership and efforts for the KOA organization. Shri Dhar served as the Vice President of the organization and served on the KOA board as a Director from zone 9 for 4years (1998-2001). Before that he also served the bay are a community as the Chapter President.
6. Asha Chaku (TX): For her leadership and dedication to community work and efforts to preserve Kashmiri culture. Mrs. Chaku is a long-standing member of the community, her outstanding efforts have brought the community closer to gether in KOA Zone 5.
7. Maharaj Kaul (NY): For his outstanding community service, for his support of KOA’s programs, for his selfless dedication to making the plight of the Kashmiri Pandit refugees known, and for his efforts to preserve Kashmiri culture.
8. Deepak and Chandramukhi Ganju (FL): For their leadership and dedication community service, for their contribution towards preserving Kashmiri Art & Music and for this selfless dedication to making the plight of the Kashmiri Pandit refugees known.
9. Arun Koul (MA): For his community service and web work, he not only volunteered his time and effort but also his resources to modifying and update KOA’s website, “koausa.org”
10. Anupam and Neelam Wali (MA): For their outstanding efforts and dedication in organizing the KOA 2002 Annual Camp at Moodus, CT

YEAR 2001:

1. Lalit Wanchoo (past president): Shri Wanchoo was the president of KOA for last four years from 1997 to 2000. Before that, he served as the secretary of the organization from 1995 to 1996. He is recognized for dedication, enormous hours of hard work, thoughtfulness and his leadership in taking the organization on to new heights.
2. Hari Bhat (CA): For community service and web work, he volunteered his time for translation of Kashmiri Bhajans for our Bhajan Book and the web site.
3. Rohit and Kiron Dhar (NJ): For organizing KOA Annual Camp.
4. Maharaj K. Jalla (MD): For entrepreneurship and creating job opportunities for young community members. Shri Jalla is a long-standing member of the community, served as the Director/Secretary of the association in early eighties. He has his own business in IT industry and has provided many jobs to community members in India and here.
5. Rattan and Bharti Khosa (IL): For generous support of KOA?s Educational Fund and help to refugees in Jammu camps from time to time through their Khosa JG Foundation. They are long standing members of the association. Shri Khosa has also served as the Director of the association in early eighties. They have a soft corner for needy community members in Jammu camps. Last year they donated $10,000, which KOA spent on Education Fund supporting 22 students.
6. Nirmal Mattoo (NY): For community service and efforts to preserve Kashmiri culture. Shri Mattoo is one of the long-standing members of the association, also, served as the director from Zone 1 for six years. He has provided financial and advisory support to the organization. He has been very helpful to new arriving members in his area. He is very knowledgeable person about Kashmiri culture and takes a keen interest in preserving it. Association of Indians in America (AIA) recently recognized Shri Mattoo for his service to the Indian community.
7. Subash Razdan (GA): For community service and leadership in maintaining democratic values of KOA's election process. Shri Razdan served as the Chief Election Officer of KOA for the last two years. He ran the process very professionally and meticulously. He along with the other members of his team spent numerous hours of their time in addressing several procedural issues relating to the elections. As a past Chairman of National Federation of Indian Associations (NFIA), Subashji helped KOA get a donation of $10,000. He is currently an advisor on the advisory council of a major corporation and he donated his advisory fee that he receives to KOA.
8. Ambika Wali (MA): For volunteer efforts in raising funds for various activities of the organization. She raised $1,500 for KOA's Koshur Calendar from our members. She ran a donation drive at her school and raised $1,500 for KOA from non-KOA members like her friends, neighbors and others.

YEAR 1997:

1. Ashok Raina, MD for his significant contributions as the President of the Kashmiri Overseas Association (KOA) for 1995 and 1996. Inder K Bhat, VA as Chairman of the Election/Nomination Committee for conducting 1995 and 1996 elections of the organization in timely and efficient manner. 
2. Subhash Kak, LA for his contributions in promoting Kashmiri Pandit history and culture through his publications and speeches, particularly noteworthy is his book titled "The Secrets of Ishbar: Poems on Kashmir and other Landscapes". 
3. Sunil Fotedar, TX for his dedication, effort, and significant contributions for developing and 
maintaining KOA Web site and KPnet. 
4. Late Kanhya Lal Koul, MI for his outstanding contributions for the community and his efforts for raising money for the Kashmiri Pandit refugee children's program. 

5. Inder K Bhat and Kamini Bhat, VA for their outstanding efforts and dedication for organizing the KOA Camp of 1997 at Hershey, PA. Meeting was concluded by thanking people for their participation in various KOA sponsored activities.

YEAR 1996:

1. Piara and Asha Qusba, CT for organizing KOA East Coast Camp for the last two years
2. Tej Nath Kaul, NY for his dedication for KOA Educational Assistance Program
3. Ashok Moza, TX for publishing KPI Newletter