• Tragedy in Kashmir. Community gets into overdrive

• Adopt a Family (Sponsor a Child), Adopt a Student programs (Education Fund) launched by KOA. President Sh. Kanhya L. Kaul commits financial and other support to India based community organizations.

• Martyrs Families Recognition and Clothing Collection Drive

• A thought for a Kashmiri Pandit. 

• Kanhya L. Kaul informs of List #1 of Biradari 

“We have published a list of Biradari donors in the enclosed issue of KOA update. It is our List #1. Many more people have sent in their donations since this list was compiled. Then there are those who have sent their donation the second time. Some members are sending smaller checks buton an on-going basis. More lists have to follow. Therefore, we shall compile a cumulative and complete list of all Biradari Donations received as of August 31 (Cut off date) and publish the same in the forthcoming issue of Miltsar.”

• Pandit Mohan Lal Kaul, Teacher, Harwan writes:

 “As a teacher I have been teaching the students of various classes. I lost my identity while teaching and I had become a part of the students. There was not a single house in Illaqua Phag , Srinagar where I did not force the students to move forward for a better future. My students gave me a lot of love for which I shall remain thankful throughout my life.

With this thing in view I and my family members did not migrate. On May 26 at about midnight, there was a knock at our door. We opened the window and came to know that there were two young men with weapons.

They swore in the name of God and Prophet that we will not be touched. We opened the door and after many questions and answers, we though ourselves to be safe. They also told us to leave for Jammu for some time. On their way out, they rewarded me for my dedication and unselfish work of life with a bullet!..

Now I am helplessly struggling with my wound and fractured leg. Where are my students who are in thousands? Where are rhe people whom I loved? My eyes are full of tears when I think what I have done and what I got. The young men also swore that I was not a C.I.D. Then, why they shot at me? I want an answer.”

“Young Muslim boys move about in the streets of Srinagar where Hindus live, hanging empty tin containers around their necks. They beat these as drums whenever they see a Kashmiri Hindu moving about. Wonder why they do it?”

• Ashok Raina, Washington D.C gives update of rally in Washington, D.C to create an awareness about Kashmiri Hindus’ cause, the other side of the Kashmir problem.

“A rally of about 1300 people was held on Thursday, June 21 in Washington, D.C to create an awareness about Kashmiri Hindus’ cause, the other side of the Kashmir problem. The rally was organized by people of Indian origin under the auspices of People for United India, with support from 25 other organizations. There was a strong showing of Kashmiri Pandits from metropolitan Washington area (over 70%) inspite of it being a working day. Most of the participants came from New York, New Jersey area.”

• Kanhya Lal Kaul urges members to participate in the political process and correspond with their representatives on issues which concern them.

“The KOA being a tax exempt charitable organization does not directly participate in political lobbying. However, members as citizens have a right and a duty to participate in the political process and correspond with their representatives on issues which concern them. KOA supports educational activities and dissemination of information among the US citizens and residents on any issue that concerns the Community.”

• Site Visit by Dr. Shiban K. Warikoo

  "As we know, there has been mass exodus of KPs from Kashmir valley during the past ten months. ….KPs have come out, settled in Jammu, Delhi and other cities. Majority of them especially those from Srinagar city are staying with relatives or in rented rooms in Jammu and Delhi. Remaining ones, mostly from villages are staying in camps, commonly called “Migrant Camps.” They have been deliberately designated as “migrants by the State Government. The conditions in the camps varies. Some are almost half decent but the living conditions in most of them are deplorable. There are tents in Nagrota, Udhampur, Talab Tillo (Jammu) and Houz Rani in Delhi to name a few. One can easily imagine the plight of these peoplein summer heat and in biting cold of incoming winter. Morale of the people, naturally is at its lowest as the future looks bleak to them.”

• K.L. Kaul motivates us to get along with each other

  “Let us get along with each other and the best way to do so is to go along at times. All of us are capable of having excellent ideas, but not all of them can be put to practice at the same time. Being such a small community, it is so easy for us to find common friends and relations in our contacts with each other.

  That leads to both a quick recovery of mutual short comings and faults, and also spontaneous warmth and mutual respect. To emphasize and manifest the latter in our dealings with each other is being a true KP. Let us be positive and practice it, and spread a little more LOL amongst us.”

  “The KOA came into being essentially to help KPs in US to stay in touch with each other and to provide a no-host environment for socializing as KPs……..Our roots were safe and well preserved by our people in the Valley for us to run to. We had no fear of extinction. However, the situation has drastically changed now, and if allowed to prevail, it is fraught with great danger to our survival as KPs not only in North America but in India as well.

• Pat Fotedar on Clothing Drive

“I am happy to report to you that as a result of your efforts and cooperation we were able to ship 235 boxes of clothing weighing a total of 3000 kg….is now in the hands of Kashmiri Samiti. They plan to distribute the clothes in refugee camps in Jammu just as soon as possible….This clothing drive was a tremendous undertaking and could not have been successful without the help of…..Neelam Wali of MA, Vijaya Chowdury of California…., Ramesh Qasba…., Hiralal Nakhasi and Lalit Wanchoo…, Bal and Sarita Kaul…..all Chapter Presidents…..National Federation of Indo-American Association….Mr. Janaki Ganju…Mr. A.K. Fotedar and Mr. C.L. Gadoo in India….KOA President Mr. K.L. Kaul… Air India… all of you who donated….