Christmas has come to represent a season of hope, joy and giving, irrespective of the religion of those celebrating the world over. Indian Americans of different faiths are no exception. Here are snapshots of some of them who shared their joyful moments with American Kahani.
Christmas is often associated with festive decorations, presents under the tree, stockings hanging at the fireplace, and overeating at holiday feasts with friends and family. It is all of those things to the Ninans but, in addition, for them as for other Christian households, Christmas is the celebration of the incarnation of God in the birth of Jesus Christ. Pre-COVID, Christmas Eve was spent in church, singing Christmas Carols and welcoming Emmanuel (God with us). The Ninans wish everyone the gifts of peace, joy and love this Christmas and throughout the year. Photo above, Hannah, Emilie and Mathew Ninan have been waiting with anticipation for Christmas. They made sure to get the booster earlier this month to address ongoing COVID concerns and preserve the ability to see family and friends during the holiday season. Top photo, the Ninan home.
Decorating for Christmas begins the day after Thanksgiving in the Ninan household.
Breaking bread with family and friends is a big part of the Christmas season. Here pictured with Emilie’s parents, Arasu Rajaratnam and Dr. Emma Rajaratnam after lunch in their Philadelphia home on Christmas Day.
Anindita Neogy Anaam, Indian Dance Choreographer
We bought our first home after 6 years. These years were full of challenges for us as an immigrant family, but today when I look back I believe it was all worth the hard work. Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May this new year fill your life with hope, joy, happiness and prosperity. From left, Shaaz Anaam, my son Shaurya and me.
Deven Parlikar of Dorado, Puerto Rico
Photo left, a Christmas platter. Inset right, Danny and Deven. Right, Lito, Raksha, Roshen and Meera. Photo below, Our neighbor Kiki Maldonado and our daughter Mallika Parlikar.
Bordoloi-Bisen Family in Hoboken, New Jersey
Merry Christmas from the Bordoloi-Bisen family. May the Holidays and the New Year bring you Peace, Love and Joy — Julie, Viwek and Divyana.
Jolsna Thomas of Austin, Texas
From left, Jolsna Thomas, Hon. George C. Thomas, Jiji John, Serena John, Cini John, Nicholas John, & Jojoe John. Santa in the mirror.
May the sparkle and joy of Christmas fill your heart with love, peace and happiness. I wish you a season filled with happiness and merry-making. Here is to a joyful present, a well-remembered past and blessed future. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to your family and you!-Papiha Nandy. Photo left, celebrating C’mad with her husband Tony Kazi. Photo right, the whole family gomes together to share the joy of X’mas.
Namrita Yuhanna, Author and Radio Host, Sunnyvale, California
Sreejith Nair, Los Angeles, California
Ranjeev Puri, Michigan State Representative
The Puri Family wishes you the very happiest and most peaceful of holidays as we all look forward to a new year full of possibilities and prosperity. Please remember to take care of yourself and others. Have a safe and wonderful holiday and a happy new year! From left, Rep. Ranjeev Puri, Nidhi Puri, Rohin Puri and Shaan Puri.
Anu Datta, Senior Manager at Cerner Corporation, Raleigh, N.C.
This year has been a long, and eventful day year unlike any other. As Desi Americans, being so far away from loved ones while enduring a pandemic of global proportions has been incredibly challenging. We celebrated the holidays this year at Woerth it Hollow, our family farm and 501c3 where we help veterans and disabled people to cope with stress by using equine therapy. Animals have a way of healing people, and as a veteran I can attest to that first hand. We hope these photos of me, daughter Priya, and sisters family and the moments of joy reaches someone else desperate for hope during such an uneasy time.
Adrian Dev, Los Angeles-based Actor
Adrian Dev visiting his family in Houston, Texas for the holidays.
