Letter from the Editor

Dear ABCDlady Readers,

It’s the first Monday of the month! In this month’s issue, we shine the spotlight on a few Desis in the community, discuss marriage and much, much more!

First, we meet Nirmala Narine, a fascinating Desi Making Waves who you may have already spotted on The Today Show, Martha Stewart or elsewhere! Nirmala started her life in Guyana, South America in a home with no electricity or running water and learned to cook as training for being a good wife. With the meager resources she had in the kitchen, she developed a keen sense of how to use spices to liven up a meal. Living in Guyana also allowed her to experiment with Asian, Middle Eastern and South American flavors. This self-starter took her humble upbringing and turned it into the spices empire it is today. In addition to a bestselling book, Nirmala's Kitchen: Everyday World Cuisine, to her name, she has a web store selling spices that she collects from all over the world. Moreover, she has been featured in Oprah's O magazine, Rachel Ray's magazine and countless other publications! Yet, despite all her successes, Nirmala remains as grounded as ever. Read all about our mistress of spices in this month’s Desi Making Waves.

Speaking of Desis making waves, we feature another South Asian making a difference in the business world. Anoop Prakash is bringing small businesses together from all over the world in the 45th running of National Small Business Week from April 21-25, 2008. With events scheduled in Washington, D.C. and New York City, the week-long sessions address issues concerning small business owners in every industry. Read this article, brought to you by the Small and Emerging Contractors Advisory Forum (SECAF), to find out more!

This month, we also feature an NRI, Sunil Lala, who deliberates over the age-old Desi question: “Who am I?” As Sunil so eloquently puts it, “Am I an Indian living in America, or am I an American who happens to be of Indian descent?” This first generation’s essay from American Khichdi will hit home for many of you.

With the wedding season under way, we decided to address some of the common issues surrounding marriage. I find that after any family member’s wedding, my family starts reminding me that my turn will be next! In this month’s feature, we discuss the more modern ways that parents act as matchmakers and how they parallel arranged marriages of the past.

Got the pre-wedding jitters? Our Love and Sex writer tackles this question and more in this month’s Love and Sex Prescription. While our Desi Diva flies to California for her nuptials, she brings you some of her best-received columns of the past—how to change up your makeup for the spring, getting smooth legs for skirt season and having silky looking hair without daily shampooing.

You know that little voice in your head that gives you a running commentary all day long? Ever have that voice prevent you from doing something you really wanted? Did you want to ask for a promotion or speak out against someone’s actions but feel like you couldn’t, because that inner voice was holding you back? This month we talk about self-esteem and ways to change that voice in your head. It is your voice, after all! Read about how to improve your self-esteem.

We also bring you recipes for some of the best appetizers from our culture—sev puri and chutney sandwiches! And, finally, we let you in on the best-kept secrets from moms who have it all!

Sincerely,

Navdeep Kathuria
Editor-in-Chief, ABCDlady

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