Club Zamana

Club Zamana is the largest undergraduate South Asian organization at Columbia University, and a functional umbrella for the South Asian groups on campus. The group caters to a mailing list of over 1,000 general body members and strives to foster harmony, promote cultural awareness, and highlight the South Asian presence at Columbia. In May 2008, Zamana was awarded the King's Crown Intergroup Award, to recognize its efforts in bringing together the South Asian community and its prominent groups.

Zamana was founded in the 1970's as the Indian Students Association, the present name was adopted in 1987 in order to better represent the growing diversity of the South Asian population. Within the university, Zamana is recognized by both Columbia and Barnard student activity organizations and has ties with several academic and community leaders in the area.

Throughout the year, the club holds a wide range of events for our members and the community. These events range from political forums, movie nights, community service days, semi formals, career panels, and educational activities. In the spring semester, Zamana puts on one of Columbia University's largest cultural show, Tamasha, featuring performances from all Columbia South Asian dance troupes at Columbia, other student performances, and outside acts.

Mission Statement

From the constitution: "We, the members of Club Zamana, in an effort to establish for our group a distinct identity, and with a respect for our fellows, do hereby make the impetus for and direction of this action known:

That we, the present and future members of Club Zamana, are gathered together with the aim of exploring our South Asian cultures. We believe that we have much to gain from each other and that we and the community in which we live can be enriched by our actions. By exploring our South Asian heritage in a Western environment, we hold that we can better understand our own identities, not only in an absolute, but also a contextual sense.

That through our interactions with each other and the University community, we believe we can foster our various cultural heritages, enabling the entire community to gain by our efforts. We will take actions to span the divisions which exist in Columbia's diverse environment by educating both ourselves and other groups about our respective cultures.

That we, by acting as a group, can greater benefit ourselves and our community than we could by acting as individuals.

That we, as a practical umbrella organization for South Asian groups and clubs, strive to unite the South Asian voice and provide support for the South Asian community. In addition, we shall serve to facilitate discussion among the diverse South Asian body of Columbia University, as well as with the administration.

We encourage the participation of all students, faculty, and administration of Columbia University and its affiliates."

Presidents

• 2005-2006: Sunita Kurra
• 2006-2007: Tina Bhardwaj
• 2007-2008: Sanjay Aneja
• 2008-2009: Varun Gulati
• 2009-2010: Diva Datwani

External links

• Zamana website