Why Roshni….?

I want to share my story with you.

The year was 1990. And while I was thrilled to teach undergrad writing classes at the University of Washington, a few comments of my students and associates on Indian Cab drivers and gas station owners often nagged me subconsciously. I came to the United States to get a doctorate and explore new opportunities for my pre teen children. Having lost husband in India from the military, I knew life in the US will have it’s own challenges. But the startling ignorance contemporary India amongst the natives baffled me even more than the expected challenges.

We as Indian community know back in our countries about the so-called brain drain when as early as in fifties scientists like Dr. Khurana got recognition in the US. Often in order to prove my point, mainly to my students, I would frequent libraries looking for historical documents that would trace incredible achievements of our community. A distinct lack of South Asian documentation irked me for years while I continued to dedicate my time in making money and raising my family of two teenagers as a single mother.

A decade later, the technology revolution distinctly altered the perception of Indians where we became synonymous with companies like Microsoft, IBM, Boeing and Intel. As I continued to excel in my own discipline as published author, journalist, correspondent, educator, accomplished mother and voice of my community -receiving awards and accolades, a few questions continued to haunt me- “What have we done to provide the compelling role models from within our community for the younger generation?”   “If we don’t have our voice heard in the mainstream then who will be our spokesperson?”

The genesis of Roshni: The Light of South Asia is an effort to demystify stereotypical perceptions of our community and list inspirational heroes of our times. After forming a passionate team we marched ahead. An exhaustive research and then interviews to document inspirational biographies of individuals from diverse disciplines became a daunting task in traveling thousands of miles and spending hours in setting up appointments.

It’s my hope via Roshni to reach the first and future generations by building a bridge to communicate pride, strength and sacrifice of the first generation immigrants. My intent is also to focus on enlightening and making younger generation proud of our heritage and culture. Has the journey been easy? What could be some mind boggling questions new immigrants of sixties, even fifties be asking when they arrived in this socially alien country?  While we all know that historically it’s never an easy path for the frontiers, what made them to cross over ocean and explore adventure when life for aliens was not what it is in the new millennium?

As a professor, journalist, educator I have been a spokesperson of positive role models from our community. With so many great things happening with Indians in the US, I think it’s time to celebrate our success and let the world know about us. Roshni: The Light of South Asia celebrates South Asians illustrating the “light we all brought with us in dispelling the darkness” as Padmsree Painter Laxman Pai quotes who painted the cover of Roshni.

When we watch the impressive footage of Prime Minister Man Mohan Singh on CNN and read as a cover story, we need to understand that this awareness of Indian contribution didn’t happen overnight. We Indians are consistently and quietly creating a history that needs to be told. Roshni: The Light of South Asia is such effort.

www.roshniusa.com or e-mail rashmee@roshniusa.com