What People Said About the 1997 Camp


 
The KOA camp was a sort of home coming. It was a memorable time. The air was fresh and rejuvenating. The name tags at the point of registration gave the camp site an aura of a symposium. Some people from India and New Zealand were also present. In essence the wider participation in the camp gave it a global flavor. -- Kanwal Dhar, NJ
The KOA camp was simply terrific. Personally, it was the day of freedom for me. Little had I thought of meeting so many of my friends/relatives whom I had lost touch with for more than a decade. There were so many pleasant surprises that I was overwhelmed. Hope to meet you all and many more Kashmiris in the next camp. -- Sanjeev Munshi, PA
It is extremely hard for me to put in words my personal experiences at the KOA camp and what I see unfolding before my eyes for our community in general. It is my personal recommendation to everyone throughout the country to make an effort to come to these camps every year - it is undoubtedly an experience of a life time! I got to see folks that I hadn't seen as long as 19 years. I will see ya'll next year!!!! -- Sunil Fotedar, TX

My Dream: Home is where your soul is

By

Sanjay Kaul - Boston, MA

In my dreams, I go
Where my sole is,
    In my dreams, I go,
    Where my home is,
It is a gorgeous place,
With mountains, rivers, and lakes
    Everywhere you see,
    You find beauty in plenty,
God has been gracious,
Nature has been kind, 
It is a beautiful place with Muslims having no mind.
    From across the borders mercenaries come,
    With dark clouds of hatred and killings on their mind,
They humiliate us, they killed us,
They drove us out,
    With Amarnath high up on top,
    Tulmul, Hari Parbat, and Shankaracharaya in the valley,
    I hope God is keeping a tally.
Some brothers are dead, some are out of their mind,
Some are in everlasting bind,
    We have to use our mind,
    Stay together, and help in cash and kind,
For we have to go back,
Where our soul is.

 
Kashmiri Overseas Association
Gatherings