Dr. Daleep Pandita More than 300 likeminded well placed educated Kashmiri Pandit families with global extensions bonded together by their socio cultural traditions and heritage started their marathon journey about 40 years back at Trikuta Nagar through a lesser known organization by Kashmiri Sahayak Samiti (KSS). Apolitical in affiliation, KSS a registered organization run by constitutionally elected body giving due representation even to their Nari Shakti, function irrespective of caste or region survive with their self created funds mostly through donations without any financial support from government or non government agencies. Preserving and continuing with their ages old rich religious traditions of Hindu faith by stunt devotion to the administrator of Universe Bhola Nath Shiv Shankar, their local presiding deity Mata Sharika besides Sita Ram Jee, Radha Krishan Jee, Sai Baba Jee and other believing deities, all individually installed in pious sanctum sanctorum of KSS premises established at serine Village Enclave of Trikuta Nagar, Jammu. Carrying forward their rich Kashmiri traditional religious belief celebrated as per their various important days in accordance to Hindu calendar, KSS regularly organize Hawans, Yagias, Janam Diwas, Sathapna Diwas, exclusive ladies functions ( Jang Trey ) etc. by serving their typical prashadam like yellow rice with cheese ( Chaman taaher ), sweet rice ( Kheer ) sweet soje dish ( Halwa ) fruits etc and also organize purely religious discourses on various important topics as per their traditional lineage. Inviting eminent personalities of our society, KSS celebrate all these function in its premises only, which are managed and financially supported exclusively by its devotees. Such philosophical activities help in fulfilling religious objectives of KSS , create public awareness about their kashmiri socio cultural traditions besides tasting delicious kashmiri vegetarian cuisine by the participants served on such auspicious occasions. Apart from regularly organizing these religious and socio cultural events, KSS also cater different social obligations by meeting daily living needs of persons of lesser God and educational requirements of economically under privileged children besides pre attempting emergency medical aids. KSS also strive to maintain their distinct ethnic entity by inculcating the spirit of brotherhood among their community and equally share the moments of joy and grief of their members. All such silently managed activities are organsied out of meager little self created funds contributed by its devotees and few interested pubic supporters. So KSS always seek financial support and request for raising funds to meet all these requirements including running of their day to day temple affairs by launching membership drives from time to time with the appeal to the general public to donate generously to fulfill such noble causes in the interests and service of humanity and faith. (The author is a worker at KSS)
