KOA Zone 10 Director

Contact Information:  16144 Crestline Drive  La-Mirada, CA 90638  e-mail: drnehru@gmail.com

KOA ZONE 10 ACTIVITIES

• Summer Camp - See Shri Rohit Khazanchi's album at : The Big Bear - July 2007,  http://picasaweb.google.com/khazanchi/20070728BigBear/photo#s5094415973398465714 
• Shri Amit Ashok Kak at: http://picasaweb.google.com/amitashokkak/KOAZone10AnnualEvent2007BigBearLakeTrip?authkey=5-hu4efOb5A also
• Photographs of "FACT"exhibition and Shivratri Function held at Fullerton city hall, Orange county Amit's Public Gallery by Amit 

2. Kashmiri's celebrate Shivratri festival in Fullerton: 

The Kashmiri Pandits of Southern California celebrated the Shivratri festival on Saturday, March 10, 2007. About a hundred Kashmiri Hindus congregated in Fullerton for this celebration.  Among a myriad of Hindu festivals that are celebrated in India, Shivratri for the Kashmiri Pandit is the epitome of all festivals. Historically, celebrated in the Kashmir valley in the middle of winter, Shivratri defines the ethos of the Kashmiri Pandit (Hindus) way of life and living. This is a celebration of creation with deep connections in the spiritual fabric of the philosophy of Shivism. This community, which is dispersed all over the world and within India, now made nomadic by the harsh hand of  Islamic fanaticism seeks solace in its link to the traditions of the homeland of their ancestors, the valley of Kashmir. Living here in Southern California, without their ancestral and spiritual moorings intact, this festival is an attempt at linking with cultural origins nurtured over more than 5000 years. Kashmiri Hindu residents of Southern California plan to bind together in a common bond of mutual care and culture.   

This Shivratri function started with traditional invocations and hymns followed by traditional Kashmiri music and topped off with a typically sumptuous Kashmiri dinner prepared by different Kashmiri families of Southern California. A subtle reminder of their uprooted homeland was evident on the easels by FACT exhibition depicting the past and present struggles of our community.  Foundation against continuing terrorism, FACT was well received by the attendees and shown alongside the  walls of this large Hall. These easels narrated in pictures the recent violent history of these peaceful people in the backdrop of this festive celebration.  It was not easy to escape the evidence of pain, but this evening belonged to the celebration of the resiliency of the human spirit under all circumstances. Happy Shivratri to Hindus world wide.

3. Dr. Amrit Nehru reports: Mrs. Monica Salman/Aima’s dad gets Gallantry award fighting terrorists

KP Police Officers awarded President's Gallantry Medal
Sh. Udhey Kumar Aima, retired Superintendent of Police, J&K was awarded the President's Gallantry Medal on 15 August 2007.  He received this award for showing extraordinary courage in fighting and killing the two terrorists who had made a fidayeen attempt on the Jammu Railway Station on January 2, 2004.  Earlier, Sh. Udhey Aima had been awarded the Sheri-Kashmir gallantry award in 2004, the Director General Of Police Medal in 1996, besides 75 commendation certificates.  You can access :

http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/web1/07aug15/index.htm