Initiatives are projects whose goals fulfill our organization’s mission.

UANA is a non-profit organization and  we balance our mission in pursuit of our goals and objectives. It invests in the needs of the community it serves.

Back home Uttarakhand focus: UANA Award for Academic Excellence UANA has actively supported this project with an aim to promote and recognizes academic excellence in Uttarakhandi youth, by awarding two students at the grade level of 12th and 10th selected from each of the 13 districts of Uttarakhand. Helping those who need it the most - The UANA has actively supported victims of Sweet Village tragedy in Uttarakhand and proposes to continue to support this project with a primary goal to help those who need it the most. UANA North America focus and Community Outreach: UANA Service Award UANA is proud to propose the UANA service award that recognizes those individuals who have significantly contributed to the promotion and dissemination of UANA's mission by their exemplary and sustained selfless activities. UANA Mentoring Program UANA is proud to propose the UANA mentoring program where insights from experienced and seasoned professional’s background and achievements can be used in the professional and personal development of community members and youth.. Information on the nomination process is provided here.

Partenering with NGOs

Appropriate Technology India (ATI) 

UANA provided funding of $2,500 to Appropriate Technology India (ATI), a NGO working on the implementation of bio-diversity conservation program, through an active economic and enterprise development mechanism. Dr. JackCroucher provided an update on ATI activities at the Fifth UANA Annual Convention held in Greater Washington D.C. in August 2003.

For more information on activities of ATI refer to this document.

Society for the Integrated Management of All Resources (SIMAR)

UANA has approved funding of $2,250 for a project proposal submitted by SIMAR, an NGO  working on introducing and implementing improved agricultural technology in remote areas of Uttaranchal.  The money will be targeted to support a SIMAR project to implement improved agricultural technology in the Pindar valley of Garwhal Himalayas.  Mr. Deepak Nautiyal, Board of Directors UANA visited the SIMAR headquarters at Dehradun in 2003 and conducted a project evaluation for UANA.

For more information on the project please refer to this document.

One of the main objectives of UANA is to support and foster the development of educational opportunities in Uttaranchal by building bridges between UANA and educational institutions in the state. 

UANA Education Projects

Department of Business Management (Kumaon University, Bhimtal)

UANA donated a comprehensive set of books for a MBA curriculum to the libraries of Department of Business Management (Kumaon University, Bhimtal & KIT, Kathgodam in November 2002. The donated collection included books in accounting, finance, management, organizational behavior, management information system, operations research, and marketing in use in leading MBA program at the US universities.  Dr. Ajay Adhikari, an associate professor of business at American University arranged for the books that were donated.

Department of Computer Science, Garhwal University

Working with the Computer Science Department at Garhwal University, UANA identified important books that would enrich the library holding of the University in this critical area.  In November 2003, UANA presented a comprehensive collection of computer science books (37 books) to the Computer Science Department at Garhwal University.  The donated collection includes books in computer architecture, computer networks, telecommunication, advanced programming languages, and other areas of computer science.  Mr. Vinod Jakhmola, Secretary of UANA, presented the books on behalf of UANA.  Accepting the books, Dr. N. Natarajan, Vice Chancellor of Garhwal University, thanked UANA for this thoughtful action and remarked that a new beginning to promote academic, cultural, and scholastic interaction had been made.

Click here to see list of donated books.

Geology Department, Kumaon University

In early 2004, UANA gifted a collection of research books and annals requested by the Geology Department of Kumaon University.  The books presented covered topics in petrology, sedimentology, and tectonics.  Thanks are due to Mr. Chandan Dangi, social activitist who arranged for purchase of the books and their subsequent presentation on behalf of UANA.

Centre of Vocational Studies, Kumaon University

Dr. Roop Singh Bhakuni, Chair Education Committee – UANA, is assisting the newly created College of Vocational Studies at Kumaon University.  The prime objective of the centre is to offer specifically designed vocational courses that fit “real world” needs.  The centre is a self-financed unit and Dr. Bhakuni is assisting the centre by providing strategic guidance as well as donating a comprehensive set of business books and subscription journals required by the centre. 

Click here to see list of donated books.

UANA Health Project

UANA Health Project in Uttaranchal

Shrimati Kamla Pant, a member of UANA has donated $15,000 (in three installments) to Mehta Charitable Hospital - a non-profit and charitable organization to buy equipment such as "Vedio-Endoscope" and other equipment for the gastro lab of the hospital. It is understood that this facility is not available in the region. With the purchase of this machinery, the hospital is now able to serve the poor Uttaranchalis of that area, who can’t afford to go to Delhi/Lucknow for the treatment. The Gastro lab of the hospital bears the inscription " In loving memory of Shri Tara Nath Joshi" (her late father).  Funds donated by Shrimati Kamla Pant for this purpose were channelized through the "Uttaranchal Association of North America" (UANA), with UANA providing all the logistic support.

The Gastro Lab is now fully operational and providing much needed specialized medical care to the poor.  The Board of Directors of UANA take this opportunity to thank Shrimati Kamla Pant for donating funds for the 1st UANA Health Project in Uttaranchal and, thereby, serving the people of Uttaranchal.

UANA Special Projects

Hindi Classes for ChildrenWashington D.C. Metropolitan area UANA Chapter

Starting from October 14, 2001, the UANA chapter has arranged free Hindi classes for children on Sundays from 5 to 6 PM in the Meeting Room No. 1, Centreville Regional Library, 14200 St. Germaine Drive, Centreville, VA 20121. Eight to ten students attend the Hindi lessons regularly.

Members assist in Voter Education in Uttarakhand

January 16, 2002

Members of the Boston chapter of UANA and Uttarakhandis living in California recently donated $1300 to the Friends of Uttarakhand (FOU) group based in Delhi to help prepare for voter education efforts ahead of the first ever state elections in Uttaranchal. As a forum of concerned citizens, researchers, students, and scholars, FOU planned to intervene in the electoral process by initiating a debate on the pro-people issues in the region -- natural resources (jal, jungle, jameen), unemployment, dismal education scenario, liquor mafia, land mafia, widespread displacement due to the apparent development activities (dams, mining etc), etc. to gather the reflections of people as to their aspirations and expectations from the new government. Noting that this election's exercise of democracy would determined the style and responsiveness of governance for years to come, FOU's efforts represented one way for NRUs to get involved and to have a say in the future of Uttarakhand.

More information available at: http://uttarakhand.org, http://friendsofuttarakhand.org

 Kargil Victims Fund

A sum of $1,551 was collected by the youth wing of UANA and the money was remitted to the Ministry of Defense, New Delhi.

Gujrat Earthquake Disaster Relief

Funds and clothes were collected by the Greater Washington Area chapter of UANA and donated on behalf of UANA.