From Strangers to Support: The Power of a Village- Moms Meet up.

 A mom with two young kids got connected with me two years ago. They were moving to Massachusetts from the South. Her sister lives here, and the realtor connected them to me.

She was on her way after finalizing the house and called to say hello. I invited them for a quick visit. I added her to the group and connected her to many moms. She was here for a short house-hunting trip, and before she even set foot on this state as a resident, she already had her village.

When she moved a few months later, she had a sister—and a village.

Last weekend, she invited mothers to her home for a meet-up.
I usually don’t prefer meet-ups at homes during summer, but she was convincing enough, and the plan was in motion. It’s hard for moms to come out on Saturdays, but 13 of us put things on hold and came together—sharing dishes from everyone’s kitchen, hanging out, and talking about life: what bothers us, what makes us happy, and how we can make each other’s lives better.

It was special.

Another interesting thing happened—someone connected a mother in Texas to me. They were considering moving to Boston and wanted to explore the area, talk to other mothers, and understand the community before making the big decision. She had been in the group for a few months, reading everything I wrote and silently watching what was happening.

Four days ago, she moved to Massachusetts. I posted about an event in her town—and she was the first one to show up. I told her how proud I was of her. Then yesterday, she came to the moms’ meet-up. Instead of unpacking, she chose to spend her afternoon with us.

She’s still feeling sad about leaving the big house in Texas, and her lifelong friends—but she’s already looking forward to building her world here, even in a small apartment. She walked in not knowing anyone and left with 12 moms holding her hand.

This is the power of village—showing up, reaching out, and knowing you’re not alone.

In the movie Once Again, Shefali Shah wore such beautiful sarees. In the very beginning, in a scene she wore a saree, humming a Jagjit Singh ghazal—and I was instantly in love.

A dear friend  found a similar saree for my birthday.

Such a thoughtful and precious gift. Saree at work :) Pic taken at 6 AM .so glad Mr Husband woke up early that day.

The Dads Meet-Up - The Dads’ : Beer, Banter, and Beginnings

Years ago, when I had the idea of bringing moms together, dads were nowhere in the picture. I took my own life as an example. Mr. Husband never needed a village. I think he married me, and that brought him plenty of villages. He just didn’t have for another.

What began as a small group of women became something much bigger, and I needed to accommodate more than just the moms. What I hadn’t anticipated is that I might also need to think about dads. Again, I was going by my own household experience I couldnt  imagine Mr. husband going out to seek support. When I was raising my children, it was very norm that women handled everything related to the home and kids.

But as the group grew, I realized the shift. Many dads were stepping in  specially in the families where women were not very active or very fluent in English.

That is one change I noticed—dads becoming equal partners—and they needed their own village. I was asked many times , "Why not a dads’ group?" It ended up being my responsibility to start one.

The dads’ group grew slowly, but they were not very active. One or two dads initiated something, and then it fizzled very soon.

During the family celebration last month, this idea came up again—why not have a dads’ meet?

So last month, I finally made plans and convinced Mr. Husband to go with me to a local brewery with the dads—and it was a blast.

Over a pitcher of beer and some fun foods, these dads talked and hung out together. I don’t think they talked much about disability, but spent time getting to know each other and then slowly talking about other things in life.

I hope they get to meet frequently and connect. 

Because even dads need a village.

Anand came along for a short time too, if you can spot a man with headphones. They mixed up his order, I spilled his coke, there were kids making noise and it was very hot. But he managed, waited for his right order. Dad dropped him at nearby Mall so he could walk for next hour and half.

A simple Bengal cotton for Saree at work day.

What is my hope for Desi Moms Network

 The company I work for believes in giving back to the community, and that is one of the reasons I love my employer. I was awarded Volunteer of the Year for the Americas for my work with Desi Moms Network. The recognition itself is an honor, and it comes with a ten-thousand-dollar donation to a charity of my choice.

I was interviewed by the Indian Employee Network, and those questions really made me think about my journey—my vision, hopes, expectations, and limitations.

Q-4.  What is my hope for Desi Moms Network

I want this group to be a safe and supportive space where no mom ever feels alone. A space where everyone can share joy and be their real selves—without shame or stigma. A space where everyone belongs and finds comfort in knowing the village understands. A village where joy, concerns, laughter, tears, small and big victories, overwhelm, and celebration coexist.

I hope this village grows—not only in number, but in depth. That we have more long-lasting, deep, and meaningful friendships. That moms become one another’s mentors and support systems. That we build a stronger community, where we stand by each other, hand in hand, through thick and thin.

I hope to create another set of leaders in this village—moms who move past hesitation, step into leadership, take ownership, and help build a thriving community that shapes the future of the group. I want to empower the moms who are usually silent and living in their own shell.

I hope that, as a group, we become a voice for our kids—creating awareness and fighting for acceptance. I want the moms to be advocates who change the way our community talks about disability, inclusion, and parenting.

I want these mothers to become change-makers—challenging stigma, pushing for better services, and reminding society that our children matter.

I hope Desi Moms Network becomes a symbol of love, friendship, courage, collective wisdom, and deep compassion.

And above all, I want it to always feel like home—safe, supportive, authentic, real, warm, comforting, and always there, no matter what.
I want every mom to know that she is not alone - that she is seen, heard and held.

18 Moms met for lunch, laughing, chatting, giggling and joking. The village - their safe space.

A linen saree for a meet

Anand agreed to go for lunch he sat on the other side of the restaurant with his dad. But I was happy that he came with us.

From Isolation to Empowerment: A Journey of Community Building

 The company I work for believes in giving back to the community, and that is one of the reasons I love my employer. I was awarded Volunteer of the Year for the Americas for my work with Desi Moms Network. The recognition itself is an honor, and it comes with a ten-thousand-dollar donation to a charity of my choice.

I was interviewed by the Indian Employee Network, and those questions really made me think about my journey—my vision, hopes, expectations, and limitations.

The Third question I was asked: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced in building and sustaining this community?

When I started building this community, I had no idea so many families were going through the same struggles. Breaking the silence around disability was the biggest challenge in the beginning.

I needed to create a space where moms felt safe to talk about their families, their children, the chaos, mental health struggles, and family dynamics—without fear of shame, stigma, or judgment. Most moms were hesitant. It took time, many phone calls, in-person meetings, trust-building, and constant reassurance.

Many moms were reluctant to commit to being part of the group due to time constraints and emotional exhaustion. It was hard to explain why they needed a village for themselves first. Their own need for personal support often took a backseat. It continues to be a consistent effort to keep the group active, find ways to engage them, and help them understand that their mental health is equally important.

Everyone comes to the group for different reasons, and their needs can change over time. Sometimes they need empathy, a place to vent. Other times it's information, resources, career advice, health concerns—or simply some fun. Meeting all these expectations can be challenging and requires us to constantly adjust our approach.

Cultural sensitivities and the dynamics of religion, language, caste, and region also play a role. It's important to ensure no one feels left out, unheard, or judged.

I’ve had to learn how to keep the group going without burning out. Organizing events, answering calls, planning, connecting people, bringing in resources, listening to personal and school-related issues—keeping up the momentum while balancing full-time work, family, and my own life—it gets exhausting. I do sometimes ask myself, “Why am I doing this?”

It also took time to build credibility and explain the “Desi” context to people. While reaching out to professionals, therapists, nonprofits, schools, government departments, and doctors, I had to explain the unique stigma associated with disability in the Indian community. Often, Indians are associated with tech and professional success. It was important to show that not every Desi fits into the model minority narrative.

I have to be the voice of the community. It’s not always easy to help mothers understand why advocacy—both for our children and our community—is critical. Why it’s essential to show up in broader disability advocacy spaces, and to be seen and heard.

The journey is not easy, but even with its challenges the sense of connection and community is all worth it.

A simple cotton for Saree at work day. My Mondays are so much fun.

sometimes community looks like this 

Many Roots, One Home: Building a Diverse and Compassionate Mom Network"

 The company I work for believes in giving back to the community, and that is one of the reasons I love my employer. I was awarded Volunteer of the Year for the Americas for my work with Desi Moms Network. The recognition itself is an honor, and it comes with a ten-thousand-dollar donation to a charity of my choice.

I was interviewed by the Indian Employee Network, and those questions really made me think about my journey—my vision, hopes, expectations, and limitations.

Here is the second question I was asked: *Talk about some inclusivity and diversity in the group.*

for the previous one - Please Click here.

Our journey as parents, moms and friends is interesting as our groups brings a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences.

We as a group have so many languages faiths, castes and socio-economic backgrounds. From many religion to region. That makes it very vibrant and interesting but at the same time brings some challenges. 

I tried to build groups based on geographical locations, languages, age of the kids, towns and hobbits and interests. Our main whats app group is a platform to bring everyone together, for announcements, to ask question so people from all age span can answer, sharing resources and just to bring everyone “home” but we have many small whats app groups too based on kids age, towns these families live in, area, interests and professions. They came together as mothers and then found their different villages. I am determined to create voices for everyone, paying attention to their quiet presence, private messages and answers to other questions. My drives are decimated to these phone calls. Our group functions  on mutual respect. Long ago I decided to keep religion and political opinions out of the group and that has been helpful. We don’t avoid difficult topics but we deal with compassion. We ask for help from experts in the field to help us understand complex issues. I invites speaker so the moms can learn and understand from the best. We also learn from each other, I hosted meet the mom session when one of them talked about her journey, experience, mistakes and triumphs.  

My hope and dream for the group is With every shared story , every question we continue to grow together- wiser, closer and stronger.  

A simple Orissa Ikat for a workday. Wearing Saree at work is my new norm. 

Below pics tell you another story

I was new to this town 22 years ago and no Indian in sight. I built the Desi Ladies community for very same reason. *Belonging*

Last month the women from my group performed Indian Bollywood dance on Franklin town stage. They all come from various backdrop but that day they were showcasing “culture of India”  

This was a victory, Anand went shoe shopping with me and we found 3 pairs :)

My initial vision, and how has it evolved. - Desi Moms Network

 The company I work for believes in giving back to the community, and that is one of the reasons I love my employer. I was awarded Volunteer of the Year for the Americas for my work with Desi Moms Network. The recognition itself is an honor, and it comes with a ten-thousand-dollar donation to a charity of my choice.

I was interviewed by the Indian Employee Network, and those questions really made me think about my journey—my vision, hopes, expectations, and limitations.
I will write my thoughts here.

Here is the first question I was asked:

What was my initial vision, and how has it evolved?

I wanted to create a safe, understanding, and empowering space for moms. I wanted to break the isolation and loneliness. I also wanted to voice the cultural differences and challenges we experience. My idea was not about resources, but about connection, cultural belonging, emotional strength, friendship, and long-term relationships.

My goal was for every mom to have a friend. I wanted to normalize conversations about disability, push back against stigma, and encourage authenticity.

From calls to meet-ups, WhatsApp chats, various get-togethers, picnics, workshops, and seminars—the focus was, and still is, always on empathy, shared strength, and belonging.

The group has grown not only in numbers, but it has evolved from an intimate circle into a multi-city movement.

I have invited experts, hosted many events, and created partnerships with various organizations—which have resulted in supporting families in many different ways. Our network has turned into a true community of action. We have a very diverse group coming together to build something meaningful—a community of action.

What started at my dining table has now become something bigger than I ever imagined:
a growing, evolving, and deeply connected community of purpose.

An Ikat for a silver Jublee wedding anniversary celebration. 

Our get together could be all about food or financial literacy. A set of parents hosted a workshop about investing and market. 

The Joy Behind the Chaos: One Day, Many Memories

Sometimes, for organizers, and sometimes for families, even a small event with a special needs family becomes a big deal.We can't always predict how things will unfold, and sometimes small joys show up unexpectedly.

It was time for our once-a-year family celebration—an event where families come together, relax, and connect.

I wanted everyone to enjoy it, but as always, it had been a struggle to get people to commit. Everyone worries: Will my child be okay that day? What if there's a meltdown? The anticipation and anxiety often take over.

We started planning a few weeks ago. The venue was booked, and food was ordered with the condition that we’d confirm the final count three days before the event.

The photographer agreed. We even found someone to organize fun activities for the kids and do face painting.

As the date came closer, we started getting responses from families. The team made dozens of phone calls to encourage sign-ups. Finally, the day arrived. Over 45 families showed up.

The food was delicious, the servers were wonderful, the face painter was a hit, and the photographer was outstanding. He was so patient and kind with the families.

Seeing these photos brings me the ultimate joy and motivation.

Our events are shorter than typical events, and the serving team helped with cleanup so efficiently that everything was done in no time.

I only remember running around, didn’t get to sit and eat, don’t recall who all I talked to, and I’m sure I missed many—but now, what I remember are those happy faces. And in the end, every smile made it all worth it.

Because these pictures tell the real story. And in those happy faces, I see the reason we do this. A blue Kanjivaram for the evening. 

Mr. Husband showed for few minutes and photographer was very kind to catch those moments. 

I am so fortunate to call these women my friends - Beth and Cheryl - the guests 

Anand didn't want to be part of the event and decided to walk. After 7 miles he showed up and agreed to be in the pics. Lucky me ! 

My amazing team