Roots of Peace: From Gardening to Gold

Our story began generations ago in India and blossomed in a small town in Zambia, where my grandmother turned bare earth into a thriving organic garden to feed her family. With pure passion, she grew a business that stretched from our backyard to the market. She carefully saved her earnings and used the money to buy gold jewelry for her daughters and grandchildren. It was our family miracle: turning gardening into gold.

More than sustenance, the garden was our heartbeat. This sacred bond with the earth passed beautifully from my grandmother’s roots to my mother, Rashmi, and finally to me, here in the USA. My mother taught me the joy of picking fresh vegetables, the art of traditional cooking, and the beauty of sharing with our community. I cherish the fact that I learned these precious skills from her, and I am now deeply grateful to be able to make these traditional, homegrown meals for my father.

As I carry on this rhythmically beautiful tradition, I have realized that traditional cooking skills are becoming of “yesteryears”. I feel preparing, cooking and eating at home creates a warm, cozy and therapeutic environment. I have fond memories of walking into the house to the smell of “rotis”, which is one of the types of bread made from whole-wheat flour. Having lived and traveled in other parts of the world, I’ve also seen what eating takeout meals and eating alone has created - isolation among family members and the community.

In a modern world that can feel so disconnected, we find our sanctuary in the kitchen. Fostering peace begins by combating that isolation, bringing people together over freshly cooked food, starting at our own dining table and rippling out into the community.

IN LOVING MEMORY: This story is dedicated to my mother. Her love remains forever rooted in our soil, blooming in every seed we plant, every meal we share, and every generation we touch.

By Rula