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

Address:
1977 Second Street Pike
Richboro, PA - 18954
President: Manohar Hattangadi

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.

American Midwest Konkani Association (AMKA):
 This association got it's shape in late 70's when many families of Americans as well as Indians migrated to the happening city of Chicago.
Probably one of the most active organizations, AMKA, today has over 175 families in its roster and celebrates two picnics and two indoor functions (Ugaadi & Diwali) on a regular basis. This group is hosting this third North American Konkani Sammelan in the Chicago area and this Millennium Konkani Sammelan was an event of the millennium! for the konkanis to remember approx 2000 konkani families joined togather on 4 July, 200 in Chicago. 
Address:
1378 Old Dominion Court
Naperville, IL - 60540
Hello: (630)-579-9282
President: Jayant and Deepa Chittal.
website:- www.amkaonline.com

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

The Konkani Samaj of Southern California:
Formed in May 1992, this is one of the most active Konkani Associations that is striving to create a Samaj culture of meaningful service to the community. In addition to holding picnics and observing important cultural dates such as Yugaadi and Diwali, the Samaj organizes bhajans to celebrate religious occasions such as Shiva Ratri, Raam Navami and Janmashtaami. The Samaj has recently sponsored a Youth group. Their newsletter is published quarterly, and presents interesting features such as personality portraits of community members who have something inspiring to share with fellow Konkanis.
Address:
1157 W. 22nd Street
Upland, CA - 91784
Hello: (909)-981-2781
President: Deepak and Asha Ubhaykar

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).

Do you know the website of these organization or any konkani association not listed here then send you e-mails to : mahalaxmidev@yahoo.com ______________________________________________________________________________________________
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