zalak5Oct 29, 20217 minHow to throw a Diwali Party - Millennial Edition I am sure you’ve heard that Diwali is the Festival of Lights. But what is the meaning of Diwali? Why do we perform the rituals we do? I...
Vaishali A. PatelOct 10, 20212 min Pitrupaksh / Shraadh#WhyDoWe Do you know what Pitrupaksh or Shraadh is? If you grew up in a Gujarati home, chances are you saw your elders or parents...
Vaishali A. PatelOct 7, 20211 minJanmashtmi Celebrations#WhyDoWe What did Janmashtmi Celebrations look like when you were younger? For me, it was staying up untll midnight, welcoming the...
Vaishali A. PatelOct 6, 20211 minDressing in "chaandalo" or "bindi"#WhyDoWe Tell me you are Desi without telling me you are Desi... One of the things I looked forward to as a young girl in the 80s -...
Vaishali A. PatelAug 19, 20211 minGoing All-Out for Birthdays#WhyDoWe So, tell me you are Desi without telling me you are Desi. 🤣🤣 For the longest time I thought this is how everyone in the...
Vaishali A. PatelAug 19, 20214 minFestivals and Celebrations during Shraavan Mahino#WhyDoWe NAAGPANCHAMI Many of us are scared of snakes. That makes sense, as many snakes are poisonous! However, in a farming country like...
Vaishali A. PatelAug 17, 20211 minDo you own a Saavarani?#WhyDoWe Tell me you are Desi without telling me you are Desi... If you own a "Saavarani" "zaadu" or "peenchhi" raise your hand ✋🏾...
Vaishali A. PatelAug 17, 20212 minShraavan Mahino #WhyDoWe What was self care and meditative life like for our grandparents? SHRAVAN MAHINO - Shraavan Month. Google may say it started...
Vaishali A. PatelAug 17, 20212 minShare Your Debt and Sorrow #WhyDoWe Would you tell people in your circle if you were in debt or terminally ill? “Dukh ane dard ek beejaa saathe vehchavu” (Share...
Vaishali A. PatelAug 17, 20211 minRotli #WhyDoWe Tell me you are Desi without telling me you are Desi... Rotli no dabbo - Roti dabaa I remember when we spent our summers in...
Vaishali A. PatelAug 17, 20211 minDo You 'Act' Your Age? #WhyDoWe "Act your age" "Aa ummare aa badhu naa sobhe ("This doesn't suit you at this age") "At this age focus on Bhakti, raising...
Vaishali A. PatelAug 17, 20212 minOombaraa Pujan #WhyDoWe Have you seen women around you cleaning the door frame (Oombaro) and putting kumkum dots or divo by it? Why do we do...
Vaishali A. PatelAug 17, 20212 minRaising Daughters Like Sons #WhyDoWe "I have raised my daughter like a son” (Maari dikari ne dikaraa ni jem moti kari chhe) hmmm... How about “I have raised my son...
Vaishali A. PatelAug 17, 20212 minJudging Those Who Don't Speak English #WhyDoWe We look the same, we dress the same, we eat the same food, then why do you say he is Bengali, Sri Lankan, Pakistani? And why are...
Vaishali A. PatelJul 16, 20203 minCar Pooja - What, Why and How to bless and protect your vehicle?Yes! Car Pooja is a thing (sometimes misspelled Puja). Many of us desi folks value and treasure our cars and being able to afford one and...
Vaishali A. PatelOct 2, 20195 minFive days of Diwali - Meaning & What to DoFirst day of Diwali is known as Dhan Teras: Meaning: Literal meaning of this is “Wealth - Thirteenth day of the new moon”. This is the...
Vaishali A. PatelApr 16, 20192 minTO LOVE OR NOT TO LOVE THOSE UNEXPECTED MEHMANS (GUESTS)…Why Love Everyone One of the first things we learn in an Indian home is this prayer: “Matru devo bhuv (Mother is a form of God) Pitru...
Vaishali A. PatelApr 16, 20191 minDIVA, AARTI & DAILY PRAYERSDo your parents tell you to do diva or aarti daily? Parents who are somewhat religious or spiritual will insist that you do diva or aarti...
Vaishali A. PatelApr 16, 20191 minIS HALF OF YOUR FAMILY IN INDIA DURING DECEMBER?This is the beauty of our culture, whenever there is a wedding or a funeral we go out of our way to attend the function. We support and...
Vaishali A. PatelApr 16, 20191 minKAYPO CHEUttarayan, Makar Sankranti, Kite Festival are different names for this festivals we celebrate on January 14th every year. It marks the...