Kannada Sangha Queensland 2020-21 journey

The last eighteen months have been unprecedented in our lifetime. A pandemic as severe and brutal as the COVID-19 was last witnessed exactly a 100 years ago, in the form of the ‘Spanish Flu’ in 1918-20. With all the advancement in technology, science and medicine, our expectations of better preparation for the COVID-19 came to nought as Mother Nature unleashed her fury. This pandemic has affected millions across the world, fatally, mentally, financially, and often ignored but important, socially. There are various studies being done on the impact of this pandemic in different areas. However, one area that has not been given enough importance in these studies is the social impact on the general public and communities.

Kannada Sangha Queensland (KSQ) Executive Committee realized this and strove hard to ensure the Kannada Community in Queensland were interacting socially through various events and platforms. During the early part of the last year, KSQ was forced to cancel planned events in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic entering Australian shores and wreaking havoc. Keeping in with the norm, KSQ made a small effort to help students, community members in ways it could and reached out to the community to volunteer. In July 2020 the incumbent Executive Committee handed over the responsibility to a new team. Given the situation, the new Executive Committee had their task cut out and big shoes to fill in. The prevalent pandemic conditions only made the challenge harder. The author is a member of this Executive Committee and is proud to be associated with the team that set out to make a difference.

The first and foremost challenge was to get to know each other with no option to have regular, face to face meetings. This was the same time offices, schools, colleges, government organizations were beginning to adjust to “lockdowns” and restricted movements. Although online video and audio meeting platforms were existing before 2020, the pandemic forced everyone to look at these platforms in a different light. KSQ EC was no different and we had our first meeting online. This gave rise to an idea to host online programs and events to engage the community, like Taranga – a knowledge sharing event, “Thatt Antha Heli” – a unique quiz program to name a few. The KSQ EC adapted to the new way of things quickly and effectively.

The Executive Committee planned to host Ganesh Chaturthi, a traditional yearly event for KSQ. However, the rise in COVID-19 cases at the time forced the cancellation of the event. Various options like remote events being telecast via video, social media attendance for the event held in a private house among others were considered but not proceeded with, due to non-feasibility. Thankfully the number of COVID-19 cases dropped significantly in the following months that allowed the restrictions to be eased; people could gather at events and there was hope.

The Executive Committee started discussions around the possibility of Rajyotsava and Deepavali - Festival of Lights, being the first public event in a long time. The fact that KSQ was celebrating its 25th year of existence only added to the fervour and expectations. However, it was still early days of eased restrictions and there was an uneasy calm all around. Although the event was a possibility, a lot of care and planning was needed to ensure it was held following all government regulations and recommendations. This was no easy task, and unprecedented in the history of KSQ. Lots of lengthy online discussions and phone calls led to a plan being created. The event was split into tasks and responsibilities were assigned to all EC members. Everything from announcing the event, registration, contact tracing capabilities, appropriate labels and posters, seating, sanitization and social distance, distribution of food, invitation and welcoming guests, entertainment programs were carefully planned keeping within the COVID-19 directions. Despite a few scares, the event went ahead and was a grand success. Members attended and supported the event in big numbers, followed all regulations and enjoyed an evening of togetherness and joy. At the conclusion, there was a warm sense of elation and quiet confidence amongst all members of the EC. KSQ Rajatha Mahotsava, Rajyotsava and Deepavali was a reality and the plans were executed almost to the proverbial T.

One of the notable effects of the ongoing pandemic is the lesser availability of blood donors due to a variety of reasons. The need for blood donation is constant since donated blood can be stored only for 42 days after which it is disposed of. Generally, one person in Australia needs blood every 3-4 seconds. Additionally, one in three Australians will need blood at least once in their lives. KSQ organised a Blood Donation Drive with support from Australian Red Cross lifeblood to raise awareness about an important and effective way to help our loved ones, friends and community.

The successful planning and execution of the first event led to a raise in expectations of the wider community and the EC alike. Conditions permitting, there could be more events planned, the community could be engaged better and given a reason to put aside worry and uncertainty albeit for a short while. This gave rise to the idea to have an evening of relaxed entertainment including singing, dancing and acting. The EC named this event Samskruthika Sanje, an evening of Cultural extravaganza. The planning and execution of the prior event had prepared the EC well to follow similar planning within the rules and regulations boundaries to deliver another outstanding event which was well attended and received by the wider community. All this while, the online programs continued with talks on Mental Health, Cooking, Personality Development, Resume Writing to name a few.

Geographically, the northern hemisphere welcomes the spring season during the month of April, which is usually when Ugaadi, the Kannada New Year is celebrated. Traditionally Ugaadi is celebrated in Queensland in the form of an event hosted by KSQ. The EC did not want to miss an opportunity to keep the tradition alive. Despite the usual venue not being available, EC members found out a few alternate venues and decided on an auditorium in a local school as the venue to host Ugaadi Utsava. The new norm of registration, seating, food, programs were planned according to the government regulations. This seems to be the new normal for a few years to come. As with the previous two events, Ugaadi Utsava was greatly supported by KSQ members and patrons.

With all the traditional and cultural events done, a casual meet and greet picnic was organized by the EC recently. The thought process behind this picnic was to allow our newest members to introduce themselves to the community in a cool, casual setting and hope to provide a platform for friends, old and new, to mingle amongst one another, play a relaxing game or two, enjoy lunch and have some “fun in the sun”. The picnic was a fitting way to end the events for the year.

One of the highlights of the events held during the last year has been members’ resolve, support and willingness to follow the rules and regulations. KSQ Executive Committee thanks its members wholeheartedly for the unending support and guidance. In a few weeks, this Executive Committee will hand over the reins to a new one. The author hopes that the efforts and work put in by this Executive Committee has made a positive impact on KSQ members in a challenging year.

By Naveen Krishnamurthy