Growing up in Punjab, India, northern Nevada resident Ritu Khera hails from a small town named Balachaur. In 2000 she left the familiarity of her culture to seek a better life in the U.S.
My mother’s mother tongue is Punjabi, a language that originated in the Punjab region of Pakistan and northern India. She also speaks English, which she learned through her studies in India and years of living in the U.S.
My mother reflects on nostalgic memories of her native home: spending time with family, attending an all-girls school, and helping her parents.
Being the eldest child of three, she had multiple responsibilities in the house. Culturally, her lifestyle has changed, but she continues to practice Indian traditions and cook Indian food.
“I had two brothers, and with cousins, we used to have a lot of fun together. Our lives were very peaceful,” Ritu said.
My mother embraces annual Indian traditions throughout the year such as Baisakhi, Diwali, Holi, Raksha Bandhan, Karva Chauth, Vrats, and more. Celebrating these festivals based on family, honoring gurus, and religious fasts, she keeps in touch with her roots.
During her teen years, my mother also practiced her Indian cooking skills, taught by my grandma. She has been making a variety of Indian meals for nearly 30 years now. At first, she was not given too many opportunities to cook but started to learn more later after marriage. “After marriage is when I started actual cooking,” Ritu said. “My husband taught me many things as his cooking style and taste is very different.”
My mother now explores Indian-style cooking beyond the simple meals she was introduced to. A favorite is stuffing okra with masala to make a dish named Bhindi.
When they first arrived in the U.S., my parents stayed in San Jose, California, before settling in Reno with new businesses.
Balancing the care for her children and helping out with the family business when necessary, my mother’s everyday life became quite a hectic routine.
“Everything was new here. I did feel a bit lonely at home at first, but after having kids, everything is good,” Ritu said.
While reminiscing about her childhood, what my mother misses most about Balachaur is her relatives and friends. Though everyone has ventured onto their own paths, she appreciates the moments they can reunite when she travels to India.
“This is something I am sure everyone misses from their home country,” Ritu said.
Regarding her present home in Reno, my mother recalls that it was the weather that stood out to her when she first arrived.
“I think it’s a very lovely place. Snow is something I never got to see in Punjab, so I do enjoy living here,” Ritu said.
Reporting and photos by Khushleen Khera shared with Our Town Reno