Konkani Associations in the USA
North American Konkani Association (NAKA):
The success of the first North American Konkani Convention in
1996 gave birth to this idea of an umbrella organization that will maintain and
foster the Konkani spirit demonstrated during the Convention. A "Not for
profit" organization was formed under the able leadership of Damodar Baliga
and Chaitanya Bijoor. The original office bearers of NAKA are Damodar Baliga,
Nina Padukone and Vasanth Bhat. The main goal of NAKA was to ensure that the
Konkani culture will be preserved here in North America by sponsoring Konkani
Conventions and other cultural events on an ongoing basis. The other goals of
NAKA were also be to promote Konkani culture, history, education and facilitate
activities of interest to young Konkani adults.
Address:
2465 Bergen Avenue
Brooklyn, NY - 11234
President: Damodar Baliga.
Saraswath Foundation:
Formed in 1984, this non profit organization collects funds from
US to send to India to help the poor deserving Bhanaps. Their official
Newsletter is "Bhanap Antarang," that is issued on a quarterly basis.
The present editorship is taken over by second generation, Anjali Bijoor &
Anupoma Benegal.
Address:
33 Cantlebury Lane
Wilton, CT - 06897
President: Suresh Benegal
American Konkani Association (AKA):
The brainchild of Mr. Vasant Pai, AKA is a non profit
organization. The main goal of AKA is to promote education amongst Konkanis. It
offers Loan Scholarships to College bound American Konkanis. Periodically, AKA
organizes dramas, shows, dinners, etc. as a fund raising means. The yearly
donation of $35.00 is suggested. After the retirement of Mr. Pai in late 1997 in
1999, the President's role has been taken over by Mrs. Savitri Kamath. of River
Forest. The other local office-bearers are Vasant Acharya; Vice-President,
Vasanth Kamath & Bipin Pai; Co-Treasurers and Sandhya Kamath; Secretary.
Vasanth Bhat of Texas and Dr. Narayan Nayak of California serve as special
advisors. AKA is sponsoring this Konkani Sammelan
Address:
1317 Monroe Avenue
River Forest, IL - 60305
President: Vasant Acharya
Chitrapur Satsang:
A non profit organization to enable the Bhanap community in North
America to stay in touch with the Chitrapur Math and the community on a regular
basis; offer the youths a source of enlightenment about Chitrapur traditions and
religious heritage.
The following are the express purposes:
maintain a place of worship and a center for religious & cultural activities
provide a platform for religious & cultural activities through which the Hindu religion, Chitrapur Saraswat traditions and way of life may flourish
Be charitable & educational organization to promote social, cultural & religious understanding based on peace, love, justice, truth & harmony
conduct Satsangs on regular basis honoring the Guru Lineage render support (financial, moral & spiritual) to member families in crisis in North America Undertake fund-raising projects here to support our Math & community projects on a continuing basis Create & maintain an intemet presence www.chitrapursatsang.org
Konkani Sabha:
Started in early 70's, Konkani Sabha is the first so ever
association formed by Konkanis in North America. Konkani Sabha is catered to the
cultural and social needs of the tri state area of NY. It has attracted Konkanis
from all around the country. During the initial inception, there were quite few
picnics, indoor functions and outdoor activities. After a while, functions were
limited to a summer picnic and an indoor function for Diwali. This year Konkani
Sabha will be celebrating their 25h anniversary and the new leadership has major
plans to celebrate this event. Konkani Sabha also had a newsletter started by
Dr. Vasudev Nayak in the '70s. This newsletter was later coined "Khabbar"
by Nina Padukone and gained tremendous popularity amongst Konkanis from all
around North America. In early 1980's, Vasanth Bhat took over the editorship and
made it into an independent North American Quarterly. Today Khabbar acts as a
mouthpiece of Konkanis in North America with a circulation of over 1,600.
Address:
33 Mulligan Drive
Reading, PA - 19606
Hello: (610)-370-3325
President: Dr. Ramesh Nayak.
Konkani Association of California: (KAOCA)
Hosts of the North American Konkani Sammelan (NAKS-98), this is
the most enthusiastic and dynamic Konkani group in the bay area of San
Francisco. This group was previously known as "Amchigale Samaj." Most
of their functions are very well attended and have membership over 250 families.
They hold summer picnic, Diwali, and other cultural events. Their Association
newsletter is "Panchadik.
Address:
2560 Pantalis Ct,
San Jose, CA - 95132
Hello: (408)-259-7056
President: Panduranga and Lakshmi Sharma
Boston Area Konkani Association:
Mainly catering to Boston metropolitan area, this group has been
active for nearly 14 years. They celebrate a summer picnic and a holiday event.
Address:
4 Torrey Terrace
Westford, MA - 01886
Hello: (978)-692-1363
President: Deepak and Sheila Kini
Capitol Konkanis:
This youngest Konkani group has been in existence since six years
and has already impressed the membership. They cater to Konkanis in Washington
DC area, as the name implies. Their newsletter "Konkani Mail" is
published on a not-so-regular basis.
Address:
12501 Crystal Rock Terr.,
Germantown, MD 20874
Hello: (703)-591-0564
President: Deepak Raj and Sheela Rao
The Konkani Association of Ontario (Canada):
This only Canadian Konkani group has been in existence over 14
years. They normally celebrate a summer picnic and a Diwali. "Konkani
Samachar" is their official newsletter.
Address:
5 Woddocomb Crescent
London, ONT, CAN N6K 3C 1
Hello: (519)-681-7627
President: Ashok Bhatt
Michigan Konkani Association:
Formed in early 80's, Michigan Konkani Association to ,
day has bloomed into a well-run organization. With influx of younger populace,
the Association can boast of over 150 families under its wing and holds one
summer picnic and four indoor functions (Ugaadi, Astami, Chavathi & Holiday
Party)
Address:
1209 Maplekrest Drive,
Flint, MI - 48532
Hello: (810)-733-8134
Secretary: Vatsala and Pandurang Bhakta
Mid Atlantic Konkani Association
(MAKA):
The MAKA is serving the cultural & social needs of Mid
Atlantic States. MAKA boasts of a grand picnic held annually. The host state and
the host rotate yearly. The bondage of "belonging" is pretty strong
with this group.
Address:
1007 Sparkleberry Lane
Sumter, SC - 29150
Hello: (803)-469-4983
President: Surekha and Jayaram Kamath
Konkanis in Southern States (KISS):
The KISSers are very proud of their Konkani heritage. Konkanis
from Austin, Dallas, and Houston host an annual week-end long picnic during
Easter that attracts around 200 participants. Relatives visiting from India time
their trip to USA to participate in this picnic. The KISSers song "Proud to
Be A Konkani" is gaining popularity as a theme song at most of the Konkani
get-togethers. Plans to have a konkani Convention in Houston next year
and expects over 2000 konkani family members to be present there. Bravo, to the
KISSers.
Address:
14642 Cardinal Creek Ct.,
Houston, TX - 77062
Hello: (281)-486-0810
Co-ordinators: Ranjana and Sudhir Golikeri
Three river Area Konkani Association (TAKA):
TAKA, was formed in early 90's as a non profit organization and
caters to the religious, cultural & social needs of the Konkanis in the
Pittsburgh and nearby areas. A separate organization, Konkani Research Institute
of America (KRIA) was formulated by Mr. Damodar Prabhu of Pittsburgh, that
specializes in promoting the rich culture of Konkani.
Address:
16 Moffet Street
Pittsburgh, PA - 15243
Hello: (412)-343-6193
President: U.Damodar Prabhu
Connecticut Organization Of Konkanis (COOK):
Having bom in 1996, COOK is the baby of Konkani Organizations in
North America. Under the able guidance of Mrs. Ajita Shenoy, COOK has organized
quite a few activities of interest to all Konkanis in Connecticut.
Address:
54 Susan Drive
Suffield, CT - 06096
Hello: (860)-668-7849
President: Ajita Shenoy
Konkani Association of Minnesota (KAM):
Started in 1998, KAM is the baby of all regional Konkani
associations. Their newsletter "Pardi" already made the historic debut
during their first Diwali function in '98.
Address:
2592 Alabama Avenue S.,
Minneapolis, MN - 55416
Hello: (612)-924-9024
President: Vasant and Viju Kolpe
Konkani Association of Florida (KAF):
The baby of' all Konkani Associations, this group was formed late
last year and are very enthusiastic about their future activities.
Konkani Association Of Georgia: (KAOG)
Konkani association of Georigia was set up on April 29, 2000. A member supported non-profit voluntary
organization of konkani population of Georgia with a common interest to preserve and promote konkani tradition
and culture. The association hosts annually Yugadi and Deepawali (2nd saturday of November) functions and an annual
picnic (Last saturday of July).