This episode embodies a Spotify Wrapped for KOA Youth—rewinding through the legacy of leadership, memories, and growth that have shaped this incredible organization. We had the honor of speaking with several leaders who have carried forward the mission of preserving our Kashmiriyat while building a strong, connected youth community.
From heartfelt nostalgia to chilling stories, this episode brought laughter, tears, and a profound sense of pride. The conversation was so candid that Kashmiri naturally became part of it, with one guest even answering a question about future youth involvement in Kashmiri, adding a beautiful cultural touch.
This is our longest—and most enriching—episode yet, and we can’t wait for you to hear it!
Timestamps:
0:10–1:00 - Introduction of Episode
1:01–13:21 - Introduction of Guests
14:12–24:29 - How did you first get involved with KOA and what motivated you to take on a leadership role as a YD?
24:36–27:13 - Shubhankar: Staying rooted in his Kashmiri heritage through a global upbringing.
27:56–30:48 - Rohit: How the 1990 genocide shaped his commitment to Kashmiri heritage and KOA.
31:11–36:42 - Nisha: Lessons and skills gained as the longest-serving youth director.
37:27–41:42 - Amrita: How time in Kashmir and Bangalore sparked her passion for her roots.
44:14–47:41 - Arushi: Growing up without a local Kashmiri community and staying connected to her roots.
47:49–1:10:36 - Story sharing: Was learning about parents’ lives in Kashmir part of upbringing or an active effort?
1:12:12–1:30:34 - Vision for future youth involvement in preserving KP culture (in Kashmiri).
1:30:41–1:31:41 - Finale Thank You
Tune in and celebrate this vibrant community with us!
In this episode of Everything Koshur, we had the honor of speaking with Ms. Anjana Kaul, the Zone 5 Director of KOA. She shared her inspiring journey from Kashmir to Canada to Austin, TX, where she has lived for the past 12 years, dedicating herself to the Kashmiri Pandit community. Anjana Ji discussed her incredible leadership in KOA, particularly her literacy drive that has grown into a national initiative.
She also opened up about her personal experience during the 1990 genocide, recounting how her family shielded her from the harsh reality while she was in college. It wasn’t until she returned home for the holidays that she learned of their displacement, a moment that shaped her perspective forever.
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Dive into an inspiring conversation with Priyanka Mattoo on the latest episode of Everything Koshur. We explore her vivid childhood memories of Kashmir, her journey of constant movement, her career from Hollywood to writing, and her deep cultural connections. Listen in as Priyanka shares insights from her memoir Bird Milk & Mosquito Bones, capturing the spirit of displacement, resilience, and finding home.
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In this episode, we dive into the world of Kashmiri music with Anshoo Tikoo Zutshi. From childhood performances to performing alongside famous musicians such as Jagjit Singh, Pankaj Udhas, and Dr. L. Subramaniam, she shares her inspiring journey of preserving and celebrating Koshur melodies and culture. Stay till the end to hear her sing a verse from a famous Kashmiri bhajan, “Prata Kaala”! #KoshurMelodies #CulturalRoots
In this episode, we are joined by Shivas Dhar. Shivas Dhar is the current Director for KOA’s Education Assistance Program, which provides aid for higher education to refugee Kashmiri Pandit students. The EA Program offers crucial financial and mentorship support, empowering students to overcome educational barriers and build a brighter future. Through this conversation, we understand how the program operates, its impact, and how we can get involved in the mission. Listen now via the link in our bio!
In this episode, we dive into the cultural significance of the Kashmiri language with our special guest Sukumar Hakhoo. Join us as we explore why it's essential for the youth to embrace and preserve our beautiful linguistic heritage.
Explore the web of connectivity of kashmiri culture and navigating and staying to our roots in a new homeland in the newest episode of Everything Koshur! Join us as we sit down with Ashwani Kaul, the current Vice President of the Kashmiri Overseas Association. He also serves on board as the Zone Six Director and Youth Liaison. Listen as we explore his journey and involvement in a variety of roles within KOA and find out about his secret passion for baking all kinds of breads, especially telvor (traditional sesame seed based Kashmiri bread). Follow his account @breadwaala to see his creations and place orders! 🍞 🍞
Delve into the intersection of heritage and mental health with us on this enlightening episode of Everything Koshur! 🌱 Join us as we sit down with Jyotsna Dhar (Joy), a Counseling Psychology PhD student and therapist, to explore the significance of cultural traditions in fostering well-being. Discover how celebrating events like Navreh influences mental resilience and hear insights on mental health within the Kashmiri Pandit community. Tune in for a deep dive into, growth, personal coping strategies, and the importance of seeking professional help.
Dive into the essence of Kashmiri Shaivism with Vijay Dhar in this episode Discover the universal values it offers, extending beyond cultural boundaries for personal growth. This enlightening conversation reveals that Kashmiri Shaivism is not confined to any religion but is accessible to everyone. We also shared some exciting news: We're launching a special workshop series at the end of March, consisting of 7 transformative sessions. Join us on this global journey of self-discovery, where ancient wisdom meets contemporary life. Stay tuned for an enriching experience! 🎙️
Today is January 19th, 2024. 34 years since the Kashmiri Pandits were given 3 options: 'Raliv, Galiv, Ya Tsaliv'—convert, die, or flee. Almost half a million Kashmiri Pandits displaced from their home. Here we are today, the next generation, using our voices to talk about the persecution our community has faced since the 14th century. Exploring the essence of community in our latest podcast episode, join us as we delve into what it truly means to each of us.
Welcome back to Everything Koshur Season 2! Sheerin and Hiya are back with new hosts Aarav Raina and Surbhi Bhat. Join us for brilliant conversations, stories, and memories on Spotify, Apple Podcast, or your favorite podcast platform. Let the season begin! 🎙️
In this episode, we had the opportunity to speak to Manik Dutt, who is from Jammu and is an Advocate practicing at the J&K High Court. Dutt shines a spotlight on the Kashmiri Pandit community and their shared journey towards growth, resilience, and mutual support. Join us as we delve into strong conversations and meaningful insights, exploring the ways in which this vibrant community should redefine their collective identity. We discuss the importance of building bridges and fostering unity, while highlighting the transformative power of coming together to navigate the challenges that lie ahead.
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In this episode, we dive into a thought-provoking research paper by Hiya Kaul on the impact of the 1990 Kashmiri Pandit Exodus and ongoing genocide on mental health. Hiya's dedication to psychology and mental health motivated her to uncover the hidden stories of the Kashmiri Pandit community. Her research features 8 anonymous participants, each with a harrowing story to tell. Through their narratives, Hiya highlights the devastating impact of the exodus and ongoing genocide on mental health and the urgent need for resources to support our community. Join us as our host becomes the interviewee, and we discuss the crucial findings of Hiya's research paper. So, don't miss out on this enlightening conversation! To read Hiya’s publication please visit this link: https://www.youth.koausa.org/copy-of-publications
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In this episode, we discuss Sandeep Pandit’s success as an Indian Food Consultant, starting from helping his mom make sheer chai in the kitchen to being the “best Indian cook in all 11 seasons of MasterChef Australia”. Additionally, we talk about the richness and magic behind traditional Kashmiri dishes and spices.
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In this episode, we interviewed Humans of Paradise on Earth lead Osheen Kaul. We discussed what the project has accomplished in the past, and its future goals. Be sure to follow The HOPE Collective on Instagram and KOAY’s Youtube for more HOPE content.
We also announced that Everything Koshur now has a tiktok account! Please follow @everythingkoshurpodcast on tiktok for highlights and behind the scenes content.
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Welcome to Episode 5 of Everything Koshur! In this episode we speak to the President of the Kashmiri Overseas Association, Dr. Archana Kokroo.
We get to hear more about Dr. Kokroo’s journey with KOA, from being a KOA volunteer, to the Director of Zone 3, and now the President, we are fortunate to have a great leader for this organization!
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Happy Navratri, everyone!
In honor of today, we are dropping Part 2 of our parents episode with Vinod Raina (Sheerin’s Dad). Vinod talks about his childhood memories in Kashmir, how he remembers Navratri and other festivals being celebrated in Kashmir, the specific rituals in Kashmiri weddings and birthdays, and much more.
Keep listening to find out if the Guru Ji made it to Vinod’s wedding!
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In this episode, we discussed the traditions and rituals of one of the most important Kashmiri festivals, Pann. With the very recent occurrence of Pann, Meenakshi talks about what Pann is, the story of Pann, and how she grew up celebrating it. Don’t forget to like, share, and follow! Thank you!
In this episode, we discussed two of the most influential women in Kashmiri poetry history: Lal Ded and Arnimal. Along with talking about the stories of the women themselves, we looked at some verses from their work and translated them to further break down and understand the meaning. Don’t forget to like, share, and follow! Thank you!
Welcome to Episode 1 “Growing up Kashmiri Pandit in America” with special guests Sidhi Raina and Roshni Koul. In this episode we conversed about the false information spread on social media and how us as Kashmiri Pandit Youth use our social platforms to debunk these lies. Additionally, growing up away from Kashmir, we spoke about how Kashmiri music connects us to our roots. Keep listening to hear Roshni sing Harmokh Bartal! Don’t forget to rate, share, and follow! Thank you!
