Question & Answers
Conversations between Membership and Anjana Kaul (Approved to share by NEC)
Question #1:
Several Kashmiri Language programs have been conducted in the last couple of years, including the one in zone 5. Could you share details about the program you ran, the outcomes it achieved and how it scaled?
Answer #1:
Thank you for your interest in the Kashmiri Literacy Initiative. I'm happy to share how this program came together and the impact it achieved.
THE INITIATIVE:
There was no active Kashmiri Language program in zone 5 (KOA or otherwise) when I started in January 2024. Some limited duration programs may have been conducted in the past, but, to the best of my knowledge, their recordings were not free or made publicly accessible.
Question #2:
The 2024 KOA Camp was a major community event hosted by our Zone, requiring thoughtful planning, coordination, and responsiveness. Could you share how you approached planning and coordination for the 2024 KOA Camp, particularly during the health incident caused by the final dinner, which affected a large number of attendees? How did you personally ensure families with medical needs and vulnerabilities were supported?
Answer #2:
Thank you for this question. I'd like to share how we approached the 2024 KOA National Camp in Estes Park—the first national camp ever hosted by Zone 5.
THE CHALLENGE:
We organized a national camp for 250+ attendees at 7,500 feet altitude in a remote location far from most team members. Estes Park presented unique challenges: limited Indian food vendors, altitude-related health risks, and distance from medical facilities. Planning began months in advance from Austin.
Question #3:
Your website has a claim that the membership has doubled under your leadership since January 2024. How many of these memberships came in after July 31st, 2025, versus memberships prior to that duration? Could you share members by month?
What’s your view or strategy of keeping these members engaged post- election?
Answer #3:
Thank you for this very important question about memberships. There are two distinct parts to your question. One is about numbers and the second is about member engagement.
Membership Statistics
First, that Zone 5 membership has doubled since I started as zonal director is a fact and not a claim. The numbers shown on my website are based on information I have received from the KOA President. This is reflected in the consistent increase in membership within the zone since January 1, 2024.
I will go over some membership stats to answer your direct question, and then follow that with the broader issue of KOA memberships..
Question #4:
In recent discussions related to this Zonal election there has been considerable mention of both the TKB Camp and the Colorado Camp. What is the difference between the two? I have been to Colorado Camp but not to TKB. Could you please elaborate on the nature and significance of these two camps?
Answer #4:
Thank you for this important question. I appreciate the opportunity to clarify the distinction between these two camps, as understanding their scope and purpose helps illustrate the breadth of community engagement we can achieve together.
The TKB Camp: A Cherished Local Tradition
The Texas Kashmiri Biradari (TKB) Camp is a long-standing, privately organized gathering that has brought together select families primarily from Houston, Austin, and Dallas for many years. This camp operates independently and is not affiliated with KOA..
Question #5:
Anjana Ji, you have talked many times about ‘Elderly Drive’ and yet this seems to be operational only in Austin. Is this program designed to only engage elders in Austin? If not, how do you plan to scale it across Zone 5?
Answer #5:
Thank you for your question about this very important initiative.
As we all know, the 1990s Exodus scattered what was once a cohesive, interdependent Kashmiri pandit society. Families seeking safety, stability, and opportunity traveled distances, some all the way to the United States, to build new lives here. Over the years, geographic dispersion has meant limited opportunities for regular and meaningful in-person interaction. Younger members often balance demanding lives, while elders — especially those who have retired — no longer have the same social circles or daily engagements that once kept them connected.
Question #6a:
A few years ago, in a TKB Camp, you spent a considerable amount of time via a PowerPoint presentation, canvassing for returning to Kashmir - how everything was “normal” and that Kashmiri Muslims were brethren; an intrinsic part of our social fabric etc. During the presentation itself you were called out for what many in the audience felt was a highly selective, elitist and entitled perspective. Do you share the same POV today - do share why/why not?
Answer #6a:
Dear Abhinav Bhan Ji, Thank you for your questions. My brief presentation was primarily focused on our youth. The idea was to make Kashmir more “real” in their minds, not just a concept that their parents reminisce about. I shared my experience of praying at Tulmul in a medical mask , of Durga Pooja and Diwali celebrations in Srinagar , of the peace in Hari Parbat and Naranag , of my pride in Avantipora and Pandrethan. Of my gratitude to soldiers at the Kargil War Memorial.
Question #6b:
There’s always a first time so I’m not asking this question in a prejudicial way at all. I’d like to know of the activism/contributions you made prior to your current term.
Answer #6b:
Dear Abhinav Bhan Ji,
I consider myself a community volunteer dedicated to service and helping others. My volunteer work spans both our Kashmiri Pandit community and my adopted home in the United States, rooted in beliefs of inclusion, the human spirit, community, and family.
Broader Community Service:
In Austin, I spearheaded an initiative at Foundation Communities in Austin , where I led a team in preparing and serving meals to single adult residents that lived alone with no care. This initiative was designed to provide nutritious food, and a warm.
Question #6c:
Should you lose the election, how do you & your team intend to stay involved with the KP/KOA cause?
Answer #6c:
Dear Abhinav Bhan Ji,
My commitment to the KP cause, and the KOA mission, has never been and will never be dependent on whether I am a board member of the organization. I firmly believe that as the largest single KP membership organization in the world, KOA has the ability to impact our lives in profound ways. It can be a beacon for our young members, providing cultural resources that they will need after we are long gone.
Regardless of the outcome of the election, I am committed to supporting our cultural and heritage programs and continuing to help locally with community initiatives . I will collaborate with volunteers and leadership to contribute wherever, and in the best possible way, I can.
My commitment to serving the community remains the same—with or without an official title. My goal has always been to strengthen our community, and I believe that collaboration—not competition—is the key. And I know that our team of volunteers shares this belief strongly.
Question #7a:
Best of luck to both of you. My question is if you don’t win, will you support the winning candidate and how.
Answer #7a:
Thank you for your questions.
Yes, absolutely. I have stated out loud that I will wholeheartedly support the winning candidate — something we have not heard from the other side yet. My goal has always been to strengthen our community, and I believe that collaboration — not competition — is the key. I will work closely with the elected candidate to ensure a smooth transition, share ideas and experiences, and contribute wherever needed to continue the good work for our Zone and KOA as a whole. I would ask for this same commitment to you from the other candidate as well.longer have the same social circles or daily engagements that once kept them connected.
Question #7b:
One of the questions you answered is that under your leadership, KOA membership has increased, but on the other hand some of our Zone 5 KOA Chapter Presidents are still not KOA members, why were you not able to convince them for Membership. Also doesn't it set the wrong example when we nominate non KOA members as Chapter President’s, why would someone apply/renew their KOA memberships?
Answer #7b:
Eight of nine Chapter Presidents in Zone 5 are KOA members. After several requests over months to the ninth chapter president, I was informed on October 23rd that they would not like to renew their membership, which per procedures disqualifies them. Their decision to not become a member is theirs, and I am grateful that they served for the last ten months. I will call for a new volunteer for this position. The point to be noted here, however, is that each of our zonal chapter presidents has stepped up to give generously of their time, for which we should all be grateful.
Question #8a:
Do we need titles to serve our community and how will you serve the community if you lose the election?
Answer #8a:
Titles provide structure, responsibility and accountability, and a platform to implement ideas effectively. However, true service goes beyond titles. Whether or not I hold a position, my commitment to our community remains the same. Once a volunteer, always a volunteer. I will continue to contribute by supporting ongoing programs, mentoring volunteers, and helping strengthen our cultural and social initiatives. Service, for me, is both a duty and a passion — with or without a title.
Question #8b:
How many KOA National camps have you attended so far without having any title and any volunteer responsibility undertaken without any title?
Answer #8b:
In my 13 years in the United States, I have had the privilege of attending three KOA National Camps, and have organized a fourth one myself with a team of amazing volunteers. Each of these experiences has been deeply enriching and memorable. The three camps I attended purely as a participant were not only incredibly enjoyable but also profoundly meaningful — with opportunities to reconnect with our roots, meet community members from across the country, and celebrate our shared heritage.
During these camps, I actively participated in cultural programs, including a few impromptu performances that added to the spirit of togetherness. I also volunteered with the photography team, helping capture memorable portraits of participants and assisting with design elements such as backdrops and props. These experiences allowed me to forge strong bonds within the community and gain valuable insight into how large-scale events are organized and managed.
But even before these, when former Zone 5 Director Anita Kaul ji was spearheading a national camp in Zone 5, I immediately signed on to volunteer, and was given the responsibility of designing banners for the event, which I did. I attended the coordination meeting here in Austin for this camp and was very excited about this venture. Unfortunately, this camp was cancelled due to Covid.
As an attendee, I have always looked to the organizers for guidance on where I could best contribute my skills, whether it was helping with photography or assisting children in daycare. My aim has always been to serve the greater goals.itle.
Question #9:
You’ve served as the Zone 5 Director, but as a Kashmiri living in the US for over three years, I’ve never been approached or informed about KOA’s mission or activities. We have chapter presidents, yet there seems to be little to no outreach or engagement from them. Could you please explain what the current process is for engaging new community members, and how chapter presidents are selected or elected? Most importantly, if re-elected, what specific steps will you take to improve awareness, outreach and inclusiveness so that every Kashmiri in the US feels connected to KOA?
Answer #9:
Dear Ankit Sus ji, Thank you for your question.
Since you are engaging in this Q&A process, I am assuming that you are now connected to the KOA network, which is wonderful. I also know that one of our WhatsApp admins added you and Antra ji to our Zone 5 group recently - welcome to the group!
While those of us that have been in this country for a while have connected with the appropriate KP “networks,” your question highlights a real gap that we do need to address - thank you for that. We have to set up a fool-proof system that catches ALL new people coming into the US, and engages them at their local, zonal, and national levels.
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