Building Bridges: Echoes of the Diaspora
In a life full of change and transformation, there are moments when we realize that our journey is not just about the destinations we reach, but about the bridges we build along the way. For me, moving from India to Switzerland and then to the United States was like crossing a series of bridges, each representing a new chapter of self-discovery, growth, and understanding.
I still remember when I was around 10 years old, my mother took me to a pundit to have my palm read. It was a moment etched in my memory—he looked at my palm, his fingers tracing the lines with such concentration, and then he told my mother, “This child is destined to fly.” At the time, I didn’t fully understand what he meant, but as life unfolded, I realized those words were prophetic. Life, as it turned out, would offer me opportunities that took me beyond the familiar, beyond the borders of my home, to lands I had never imagined.
Growing up in India, life seemed full of certainty. The values, the family dynamics, the relationships—they were familiar, deeply rooted, and comforting. But when I moved to Switzerland, everything felt so different. I found myself in a place where people didn’t look like me, where I couldn’t understand the language, and where the cultural nuances were foreign. Switzerland, with its serene beauty and order, was difficult to navigate. The sense of isolation was overwhelming, and it took years for me to adjust to a life where I was constantly trying to understand, but not fully understood.
However, when I moved to the United States, there was something different. I thought it would be just as difficult, but somehow, it felt more like home. The diversity here, the sense that people from many backgrounds come together, made me feel less alone. There was a sense of connection to this place that I hadn’t felt before, not even in Switzerland. The people here were more open, the culture was more inclusive, and though there were challenges in adjusting to a new life, I felt like I could be myself.
The hardest transition, though, came with motherhood. Being a mother is an experience that transforms you, and when my sons grew older, I realized how much I had to change as a parent. Raising children in a new country, especially teenage boys who were navigating their own identities between two cultures, was not easy. At 14 or 15, they were no longer children, but they weren’t quite adults yet. They struggled with their sense of belonging, caught between their different identities. As a mother, I, too, struggled to understand their emotions, to navigate their resistance, their growing independence, and their confusion. But with time, I learned to detach and let them find their own path. I had to trust that they were growing, even when it seemed like they were pushing away everything I knew to be right.
The advice I would give to other South Asian women, especially mothers, is this: Do not hold on too tightly. Let your children fly, let them make their own choices, and remember that it’s okay not to have all the answers. The best thing we can do as parents is to give them the freedom to explore, to make mistakes, and to discover who they truly are. As South Asians, we tend to be so involved in every aspect of our children’s lives that we forget to let them go. Let them experience their own world. The attachment we often hold on to only creates barriers. I have learned, through my own journey, that it’s okay to step back, to let go, and allow them to grow in their own way.
Life has never been simple, but that is where its beauty lies. Through the struggles, whether it was adjusting to a new country, balancing the needs of my children, or letting go of my own expectations, I’ve come to realize that life is about balance. It’s about understanding that happiness doesn’t come from material things, but from within.
When I arrived in the United States, I sought new ways to express myself, to bridge the gap between my past and the present. I took a leap and found myself stepping into the world of acting, starting with commercials. The experience of acting in the U.S. allowed me to merge my love for the arts with the new chapter of my life.It was another bridge I crossed, one that connected my love for acting with the realities of living in a foreign country.
Today, I find myself at a different point in life. Health has become my priority because, without it, nothing else matters. I may not be working full time anymore, but I have found peace in the present. I’ve realized that life is not a race—it’s about embracing each moment as it comes. There’s beauty in the present, and there’s peace in knowing that the future will unfold as it should.
One of my happiest memories comes from the simple moments spent on the shores of the lake in Lausanne, Switzerland. On weekends, my husband and I would take a boat ride across the lake, moving between Switzerland and France, enjoying the serene beauty of the landscape. It was a time of peace, reflection, and connection, a perfect escape from the busyness of life.
I got involved with South Asian Network through a workshop, seeking a space to relax, reflect, and connect with others who understand my journey. South Asian Network has become a bridge for me, a place where I can contribute, share my experiences, and continue to grow. I feel grateful to be part of this organization that celebrates our shared history and helps us navigate the complexities of life in a foreign land.
So, as I look back on my journey, I realize that the bridges we build aren’t just about crossing boundaries between places—they are about crossing boundaries within ourselves. They connect us to who we were, who we are, and who we are becoming. Each bridge, whether it’s between cultures, between generations, or between our dreams and reality, teaches us something valuable. And for me, that’s the true beauty of life.
