KASHMIR BHAVAN

A unit of Kashmiri Hindu Cultural Welfare Trust (R), Bengaluru

VISIT AND ENJOY THE FACILITIES AT THIS PRESTIGIOUS HOUSE OF KASHMIRI PANDITS IN BENGALURU

A common address for all the displaced Kashmiri Pandits in Bangalore where the community organises various functions and celebrates all festivals.

Background - How the Samithi and Trust came into Being

A unit of Kashmiri Hindu Cultural Welfare Trust (R), Bengaluru

The Kashmiri Hindu Samiti (KHS) Bangalore was established in 1990. It gained momentum under the leadership of Shri R K Mattoo who was unanimously elected as its President to oversee the welfare of the displaced community.

Initially, monthly meetings were held at the office of Late Shri G L Saproo, a founder member, located on JC Road. The displaced community faced challenges in securing school admissions, ration cards, gas connections, priority rail travel tickets, and admissions to professional and non-professional colleges, along with other forms of moral support, which were the primary needs KHS aimed to address.

In 2001, under the leadership of Shri R K Mattoo, the Kashmiri Hindu Cultural Welfare Trust was established and registered with Late Shri G L Saproo, Shri M Krishnappa, and Shri R K Mattoo as its founder members.

The elected Managing Committee of KHS Bangalore, comprising 27 members, also oversaw the activities of the Trust. The Trust was formed through a resolution passed by a two-thirds majority of members present at one of the Annual General Meetings (AGMs) of KHS, also chaired by Shri R K Mattoo.

This well-organized and functional body effectively served the community from 2001 to 2008 under the leadership of Shri R K Mattoo.

The Trust was established in 2001 to further community objectives. Efforts were made to acquire a prime plot of land in Jayanagar, with an initial payment of thirteen lakh rupees to the BDA for registration.

The Trust aimed to preserve and promote cultural heritage and contribute to community welfare. Construction of the Bhavan began in 2003, but in 2004, the KHCWT faced a legal dispute with the local Residents’ Association, resulting in a stay on construction. After eight years and ten days legal battle, from lower courts to the Supreme Court, the case was resolved in the Trust’s favour in September 2012.

Construction resumed immediately, and the construction of Bhavan was completed within 13 months and inaugurated on October 6, 2013 by ex.

CM Late Dr S M Krishna, Late Shri Anantkumar, the MP & Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister and local legislators Late Shri Vijay Kumar and Shri M Krishnappa, former minister in GoK.

Evolution of Trust vis-a-vis Bhavan

A unit of Kashmiri Hindu Cultural Welfare Trust (R), Bengaluru

Objectives

To foster resilience, unity, and cultural continuity among the displaced community affect by the turmoil.
Preserving cultural heritage by safeguarding traditional arts, literature, rituals and religious practices through community events and other various activities.
Providing humanitarian support by offering healthcare, livelihood support and psychosocial well being.

Achievements & Activities

A unit of Kashmiri Hindu Cultural Welfare Trust (R), Bengaluru

As Chief of News Bureau and Associate Editor of Indian Express Newspaper, Shri RK Mattoo utilized his position, time and energy to help community in providing all facilities. Initially, priority slips for train travel from Bangalore to Jammu and back were issued personally by him during the early migration days.
Around 400 KP families were issued migrant I/cards by the Dy. Commissioner Bangalore after hectic efforts.
Gas connections were provided to all needy.
Admissions in KV schools and professional institutions were got materialized.
Various seminars, demonstrations held to create world media awareness of the exodus.
Social & cultural events were held annually. Prominent artists and singers, Daleep Langoo, Deepali Wattal, Ravi Bhan and Dhananjaya Kumar who all came down to Bangalore to entertain public on various occasions.

Several demos on MG road were held under incessant rains, where the Bangalore KHS team stood solid rock. Later, memos were presented to the Governor for speedy help to the community. Help was also sought from local Kannadigas, from time to time. To name a few, contribution of Shri Somshekhar VK, Virat Singh, Madhusoodan Rao Maney, T C Venkatesh, Prof E Radhakrishna, Prof Dooraiswamy, R Seetaram, and many others cannot be forgotten.
Salary issue, displacement, forced VRS of HMT employees were averted through representations and bureaucratic interventions. Ex –CM’s attention was drawn to unmitigated KP problems and these were resolved.

Reservation of seats in professional colleges with timely intervention of CM was sought.
178 engineering seats, 23 medical seats including dental were made available to migrants in Karnataka through CM’s intervention and this is still in continuance.
Zang trai, Hur Ashtami, Navratra Havan besides Navreh, these festival get-togethers are held every year in the Bhavan which majority of KPs attend.
Helping Hand group comprising of 127 members was formulated to help the needy.
Sree Neelkanteshwara Mandir and Mata Jawala Devi Mandir were constructed and dedicated to community for devotion and preservation of spiritual traditions.
Monthly havan is conducted to preserve the religious and spiritual tradition and to offer prayers for the well being of the entire community.