Stories from, about and of South Asians.
Our Story today features Shehla Mushtaq, a founding Chair and former Board Member of AshaUSA. As a woman who has traveled the globe, Shehla identifies herself not only as a citizen of Minnesota, but as a citizen of humanity. “No religion is greater than humanity”*, which sums up Shehla’s character and the way she moves... Continue Reading →
Our story today introduces a second generation South Asian, born and brought up in the US. As a very young boy, Madan got to know and love his ancestral homeland from reminiscences and stories recounted by grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles. On his second visit to India early this year, Madan, a bright and articulate... Continue Reading →
Over the centuries, The Banyan tree has taken on significance as a symbol of fertility, life and resurrection. It is a fitting symbol for ‘DesiStoriesAshaUSA’ which presents the stories of South Asians who have wandered far and wide from their ancestral homes, traversing new frontiers and setting down roots and networks in the US. Our... Continue Reading →
Our Blog today is called ‘Soul Curry’, and features short stories from our South Asian community, written in their own voices. The power of stories come when people extend themselves and perform an act of love, service or courage for family, friends and even strangers. They create an image in our minds, touch our hearts... Continue Reading →
Our story today features Kumud Kamran, a woman of true ‘Seva’ or service to her immediate and extended circle of family, friends and community. Her home was affectionately coined Grand Central Station by her children, as the doorbell was always ringing, someone was ‘stopping by’ to drop something off, pick something up or just to... Continue Reading →
Our story today features the talented and versatile Akhil Kollengode, an 18 year old at the University of Minnesota, Rochester (UMR). Akhil with his sister Anushka at his HS Graduation in 2022 Looking Ahead As the University of Minnesota (UMR) prepared to welcome its first batch of students in the Fall of 2022, to its:... Continue Reading →
Our story today features the versatile Sarla Arora, grandma extraordinaire and dynamic 83 year old. Sarla was born in 1939 in Multan, Pakistan. She came from a large family of 8, 5 sisters and 3 brothers. After Independence, the family left everything behind and moved to the Punjab, close to Delhi. Her father was a... Continue Reading →
Our story today features Prakash Puram, the moniker ‘Prakash’ metaphorically designating the bearer as a source of ‘enlightenment or wisdom’. For his family and friends, Prakash has made this world a better place, through the illumination, guidance and help he has selflessly provided all his life. In celebration of his 60th birthday, an 85 page... Continue Reading →
Our story today showcases the culinary skills of Asha USA’s ‘Hum Group’ members. Under the banner of AshaUSA, and in keeping with its mission of health and harmony, the ‘Hum Group’ program, supported generously by the Dr. Dash Foundation, was launched August 2014. It was ideated by residents of the local community, as an arena... Continue Reading →
Our story today features the heartwarming saga of Rijuta Pathre, and her 43 year quest, to give her daughter and other children born with severe mental and physical disabilities, a life that all children enjoy. “I see a young bud blooming into a new personality. She is not the unreachable soul with a twisted body.... Continue Reading →
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