Our story today features entrepreneur and restaurateur Jyotiee Kistner and her food venture Muddy Tiger bistro, serving Indian street food with a Maharashtrian twist. Jyotiee grew up in Pune, helping and learning from her father, who ran a food business catering to the cycle of weddings, birthdays, religious and social events that form the entertainment... Continue Reading →

Our story today features Divya Maiya, co-founder and CEO of SAATH (South Asian Arts and Theater House). Divya has brought positive attention to Minnesota’s vibrant Indian community by using Bollywood dance to connect people, and raise awareness for social causes. Divya grew up in Bangalore, dancing recreationally as a child, and transitioned to exploring different... Continue Reading →

Our story today features two inspiring foundations set up by families who have experienced tragedy, and created a meaningful difference from their grief. Coping with the loss of a loved one, is something no family should ever have to go through. As the Lotus flower symbolizes purity, overcoming adversity and rebirth, the Dixit’s and the... Continue Reading →

Our story today features Jeevan Venkatesan, young man extraordinaire! Jeevan is a sophomore at Penn State University Park, majoring in Aerospace Engineering. He explores the world by volunteering, diving into cultural experiences, internships and entrepreneurial ventures. His smile lights up his face, as he enthusiastically recounts his many achievements. At the same time, genuine humility... Continue Reading →

Our story today features Aamera Siddiqui, a pursuit for social justice the driving force in her life. By the time Aamera was 13, she had lived in five countries on three continents. She was born in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and her experiences as a global nomad, growing up amongst multiple cultures, political crises, religions... Continue Reading →

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 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 →