Diwali Celebrations and an ode to Team@KPCS!

By Anupama Handoo, Executive Member and Heritage Lead, Team@KPCS

The much anticipated KPCS Diwali party was a grand success... Vivek Kaul ji has been sharing some fantastic pictures... Thank you! A lot is being said aboutLakshmi Kaul and Anupama Handoo combo... some stuff very good (thanks guys totally flattered ;)) and some non-issues as expected (yawn!!). I have been wanting to set a fact straight... but have been getting distracted (yawn!!!).

What I have been dying to say is: My friends, the success of the Diwali party is down to only one thing - TEAM@KPCS. Kapil Dhar Shivas Bhat Shafalica Bhan Kotwal and Lakshmi - you guys are so selfless and hardworking and so damn focused... WOW!! It was like Arjun's teer - nishane par!!! Well done guys and Salut! You haven't stopped working for the party ever since it was announced and that is what made all the difference. We rocked it again guys.... muah and nalmots!


As my father Ashok Handoo Khamosh said on the way back- the success of any occasion is measured by how much the people felt engaged. It was all about celebrating talent, our kids, our successes and our camaraderie. it was about our 1st KPCS Community award winners: Meenakshi Labroo Sunny Kaul , Vivek Kaul ji, Neetu Jalali and Ashish Raina.

It was about MP Bob Blackman talking about Kashmiri cause- about Kashmir being an inseparable part of India, about him being our advocate for the past 25 years.

It was about the untiring support our kids and families give us when we (Champagne lovers;)) go out and rock the status quo on Kashmiri Pandits cause.Pankaj Raina Vinod Tikoo Chandan Kotwal Rashmi Razdan Nidhi Raina Bhat.

All said and done, ultimately it was our talented kids that stole the show- Congratulating the proud parents: Dev Dhar & Natasha Dhar; Raynoo Mattoo;Seemant Pandita Pooja-Gadoo Wahi. super proud of all you kiddos.. lasiv t pholiv. It was about having fun with hamara bacchas Shivani Bhat Anisha Safaya Mitesh Solanki Tejas, Tanishq, Shivani, Sharika, Bill - our youth our future. I am so proud of how you just soaked up the koshur ishtyle fun and went with the flow (not an ipad in sight!!!).

A special thanks to Dr. Shibhan Durani for giving away the Children's Medals and to Sunil Bakshi for all your help.
So.. the point I was making is this- It was the TEAM@KPCS that rocked last night.. and here is my toast to all those future events with our family that are yet to come. Love you all- Sezar, Pazzar t Srotchar.





With blessings from Elders and love to the younger ones!

1st KP Cruise on River Thames: 27 September

Kashmiri Pandits Cultural Society UK gang at the 1st KP Cruise in England!

A beautiful calm day welcomed all the KP families who participated in the first ever KP Cruise in England!

The Waverley Ship arrives!!

Around sixty of us waited excitedly for the ship to arrive and then the magestic beauty arrived!! Welcomed with cheers and waves, the boat named after Sir Walter Scott's first novel, Paddle Steamer Waverley was built on the Clyde in 1947. It was built to replace the original Waverley that sunk off Dunkirk during active war service in 1940.

Waverley is the world’s last sea-going paddle steamer. In 1975, at the end of her working life, she was famously bought for £1 by the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society. Waverley Steam Navigation Co. Ltd, a charity registered in Scotland, was set up to operate the ship. Waverley then began a second career as one of the country’s best-loved tourist attractions.

On board, there was chattering, introductions and lots of giggles. Everyone was busy with their own peers and exploring the ship in their own style.

The boys & the beer!

Chillling out: enjoying the calm waters as we sail!

 

A capacity of around 700 people, the ship was a housefull! A sail time of 1.5 hours, once ashore Southend-on-Sea, the group headed to the adventure island and the beach.

Time to get off!

Batnee Brigade!!

A variety of food - homecooked and bought was brought out and an elaborate picnic took place. Everyone enjoyed the scrumptious food shared with love.

What was the highlight of the day was the superb cleaning of the water body the children undertook!

The dare of the day! The Brrr Dip Challenge..

Also the cold water dip - perhaps in the spirit of the Ice Bucket challenge taken on by Chandan Kotwal, Kapil Dhar and led by our young Palash. Brrr....fantastic!! 

The big water clean up challenge! 

And we walked the 1.6 mile stretch on the pier!!

 

All in all, a great day was had and the bonding became stronger. Onwards and upwards our KPCS brigade!

Knackered!! 

Now the wait is on for the KPCS Grand Diwali Party on Friday, 24th October 2014!!

To view more photos of the cruise, please click here.