About Us
Not for profit Organization run mostly by the volunteers from the state of Karnataka who live in Metro Vancouver.
Vancouver Kannada Koota Community Society (VKK) is a not for profit organization working towards connecting Kannadigas in the Lower Mainland. VKK started from humble beginnings and we are now an active and vibrant group from different parts of Karnataka whose goal is to preserve culture, traditions and language of Karnataka.
The dedicated volunteers are the backbone of VKK. These selfless individuals take time to ensure the success of various events and celebrations. During these events everyone is encouraged to showcase their talents through singing, dancing, drama and other forms of art. Various other outdoor events are also organized and has proved to be a useful platform to meet other Kannadigas.
Ugadi
VKK Ugadi Utsava 2024
Dear Vancouver Kannadigare,
Please mark your calendars for this year's
VKK Ugadi Utsava
to be held at
Riverside Banquet Hall, 13030 76 Ave, Surrey, BC, V3W 2V6
on
Sunday, April 14th 2024
Steps for registration process
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Click here to see the steps for registration process.
Step 1: Open the payment link
Step 2:
Click on View Details (On Mobile)
Step 3:
Change the quantity number to indicate the number of Adult and Child tickets to buy
Step 4:
Fill in the rest of the contact and billing information like in any e-commerce website and click pay! Payment can be done using credit cards, debit cards, Google pay or Apple Pay.
Step 5:
Once the payment is complete you can download the receipt / invoice. Please download it and bring a copy on the day of the event. note: An invoice is also sent via email.
Event Registration - Frequently Asked Questions
VKK Event Registration FAQs.
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Explain the new registration process ?
We are now introducing a simple registration & ticketing process using Stripe, a leader in online payment processing used by millions of businesses worldwide. This is similar to any on-line shopping experience you find on Amazon or Instacart - please select the number of adult and child attendees and complete the payment using credit card.
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Is it safe to pay using credit/debit card?
Yes, it is safe to pay using credit/debit card. As already mentioned stripe is a market leader in online payment processing used by some of the eCommerce giants like Amazon, Salesforce, Google etc to name a few and many other companies. They have a stringent security in place to handle online payments including credit and debit cards. We have chosen stripe after carefully looking at many online payment methods.
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Why are we being asked to pay before the event ?
We want to get accurate number of people attending the event so we can plan accordingly.
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Can I pay on the day of the Event ?
Yes, but only if tickets are available (which is unlikely as the venue has limited seats).
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Do I get a refund if I can’t make it to the event ?
Sorry, there is no refund.
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Is the ticket transferable ?
Sorry, the ticket is not transferable.
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Can I register for the event and not make payment ?
Registration without payment will be declined. Please make payment with registration.
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Will I get a confirmation email once registration is accepted ?
Yes. A confirmation email will be sent once registration and payment is verified.
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When will I get confirmation email for the registration ?
All registrations are confirmed within 5 days from submission.
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I have not received confirmation email and it’s been more than 5 days ?
Please reach out to us using the Contact Us form with this issue.
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Should I register if i am a volunteer ?
Yes, All volunteers are required to register and pay the amount indicated in the registration form.
Our Sponsors
Hiking
Vancouver is home to many fantastic trails that offer hikers the chance to enjoy magnificent views of mountains, forest, lakes, rivers, ocean and falls. Most of the hikes are just 30 minutes to an hour and few popular hikes are near Squamish and Whistler. There are varieties of trails, easy, moderate to challenging. Some are open year which give spectacular views in winter with snowy mountains.
Though hiking is one of the popular activities in Vancouver, it was not that popular among VKK members till 2018. Few VKK members thought of trying it out as a group activity, “Hikers Koota” WhatsApp group was formed on April 30, 2018. Hikers Koota started with its first hike to Quarry Rock on May 6, 2018. It gained popularity among VKK members and many joined the group.
Beginning of the hiking season, Easy to Hard trails are shortlisted so as to cater for all types of hikers. Hikers enjoy hiking in group as it gives an opportunity for socialising and helps to burn calories. Even in winters, few members joined for Snowshoeing each year. The unplanned potluck with yummy food at the end of each hike is an additional attraction:).
In Summer 2023, we covered some of the tough hikes like Panorama Ridge, Stawamus Chief, Mount Baker and Eagle bluffs.
Cricket
Vancouver Kricket Koota (VKK) was started in 2015 with only 3 members. We started playing at local cricket grounds which soon turned into our favorite Sunday activity. We are now 170 members strong and constantly looking to grow.
We have been lucky to have access to possibly the most beautiful grounds out here in British Columbia, with luscious green outfields and stunning backdrop of the city, outdoor cricket is not the only spectacle you will come to admire in addition we also have indoor facility which provides excellent training pitches (synthetic).
We typically practice on Sunday and depending on the season either outdoor (Summer and Spring) or indoor (Fall and Winter).
We take this sport seriously, many of our members have gone on to represent other competitive leagues in the province, but we are also out there to have some serious fun! So please join our community cricket as we keep the spirit of the game alive in beautiful British Columbia.
Cricket Coaching for Kids and Youth
Namma Kannadiga Jeevan Tauro who is an accomplished cricket coach who has worked alongside Syed Kirmani, PV Shashikanth, Anil Kumble , J Srinath to name a few and is the current coach of BC Women’s Cricket team ( in the past has also coached BC under 19 boys cricket team) is providing cricket coaching at SKILLZ Ball Academy indoor sports facility in cloverdale BC.
There are Cricket programs for Junior boys & girls for any level of skill including beginners. 1 on 1 Private Coaching is available for beginners & High performance/Intermediate level.
Cricket programs are run by Coaches Jeevan Tauro, Haninder Dhillon, Anil Khanna & National & GT20 Coach Abhishek Sharma. For booking & inquiries please contact Jeevan Tauro at 604 781 7074 or visit our website ballacademy.ca
Follow us on Instagram & Facebook at SKILLZ Ball Academy
Cricket coaching for Young girls and Women
Jeevan Tauro is current BC Women’s cricket team selector and coach since 2021. Last year he selected 14 potential women cricket players and coached team rigorously for 3 months. Team represented BC women’s cricket team to play at nationals in Toronto.
Jeevan is currently looking for young talented girls / women who have played cricket or interested to learn and play cricket. He is planning to build young team who will be future cricket stars for BC and Canada.
If you are interested, please Contact Us.
Badminton
Badminton is one of the most popular games that people of India and more specifically Karnataka play. Playing badminton regularly is one of the best exercises that will keep you fit. In addition to the fun of the game, it is also a wonderful way to meet new people and make new friends.
VKK Badminton started off as a Whatsapp group where people would arrange games amongst themselves. Pre-Covid, the games were being arranged in Cambie Recreation center in Richmond. This was very popular. However, once Covid hit, these games were stopped due to the fear of Covid.
Early 2023, we decided to restart the series where we would book a facility for the exclusive use of VKK badminton players. Here all VKK members of all skill levels are welcome. We particularly welcome children and ladies who would otherwise not play. The exclusive use of the courts, the knowledge that this is a judgement free zone, that everyone is welcome has made these games very popular.
As previously mentioned, the badminton sessions have led to several new members meeting kannadigas for the first time and feeling home. Even established people have made new social connections that would otherwise not have happened. This, bringing together of people is the true aim of VKK badminton. Along the way, we exercise, we compete and we fight and we learn the beautiful game of badminton.
I will share a personal memory of mine related to both Prakash Murthy and VKK Badminton. When I moved to Vancouver in 2019, as most of you I did not know anyone. I heard of the VKK Badminton tournament and enrolled in it. It was being held in Badminton Vancouver in Richmond. I went at the given time and I was welcomed by the VKK Badminton players and I felt like I met some long lost friends. I immediately felt at home in Vancouver. This is the power of VKK badminton.
Currently, (Nov 2023) we play in Creekside Elementary every Tuesday from 6pm - 9pm. In the near future, we are also planning to hold a VKK Badminton Championship in memory of Late Prakash Murthy.
Vancouver Vidyalaya
Vancouver Kannadigas were enthusiast about our language and culture from a very long time. The first Kannada language classes were held about 20 years ago. Aspired volunteers proactively engaged in spreading knowledge about the language to the young students within the community. Classes were then held at Mahalakshmi temple, Vancouver. Due to various reasons, these classes could not continue over the period.
During 2021, the community members came across Kannada Academy. Inspired by the non- profit organisation, Kannada Academy USA and various discussions with other Kannada community societies across Canada, a new body was formed withing Vancouver Kannada Koota. Vancouver Vidyalaya was started in the fall of 2021. Vancouver Vidyalaya is affiliated to Kannada Academy USA, which has hundreds of affiliated schools across the globe. Vancouver Vidyalaya’s vision is completely aligned with that of Kannada Academy:
Vision: To enable the student to attain sufficient learning in kannada language, where Kannada language and culture are valued, and a sustainable community is created.
Kannada Academy’s Learning Program is a unique opportunity to learn Kannada at a place closest to your home or online with our dedicated, enthusiastic volunteer teacher. The syllabus is tailored specifically to the NRI children who can grasp Kannada in a better way through this syllabus, as compared to the Kannada syllabus in Karnataka, which is tailored for the residents of Karnataka, and it is difficult for NRI children to absorb the content due to various reasons. The books and curriculum offered here are simple. The classes and the assignments are very interesting and keep the students engaged throughout. Lessons and assignments are updated and designed for the current generation students who are far away from Homeland. At the same time, they are easy enough to connect to their Mother Tongue. They are very well suited for different learning habits and style depending on the learners age, comfort and convenience.
At present, Vancouver Vidyalaya conducts the only virtual classes, and we also conduct in- person cultural events. We use google classroom platform as provided by Kannada Academy.
Our current strength is as follows:
- Total students: 36
- Total Volunteer teachers: 12
- Total Volunteer Admins: 02
- Total other volunteers for payments, cultural events etc..: 08
For any queries you can reach out to Vancouver Vidyalaya by email to vishal.girisagar@kannadaacademy.com
Frequently Asked Questions
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How to join VKK ?
Fill in your contact information in the Contact Us section and we will help you with next steps.
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Who can join VKK ?
People from Karnataka living in BC’s lower mainland.
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Is there a membership fee ?
VKK doesnt have any joining or annual membership fees.
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Is VKK on Social Media ?
We have a Facebook page and numerous whats app groups.
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What do we do ?
We provide a platform to bring together the people of karnataka living in the lower mainland and maintain, preserve, promote the interests, heritage, languages, and its culture.
Contact
We are here to help and answer any questions you might have , please fill in your information below to get started.