Arlington VA Youth Poet Laureate
Living thousands of miles away, my country of origin often feels like a dream. I have only visited a few times and much of my knowledge is gleaned through history class and mythological stories my parents would paint growing up. My family, however, is always a part of me. Despite living on the other side of the world, they have made a significant impact on my personality and growth - even more so than people I interact with on a daily basis. And while India is a land of beauty, it is rich with gender disadvantage, unfair beauty standards, and pressures we have finally moved past in India. To target this issue, one I have continually hoped to address through writing, I used a figure that is prominent in my life: my grandmother, or dodda. My Dodda In A Day walks readers through a day in her life from start to finish, doing everyday chores but with insight into her mind and knowledge of past experiences. She has been raised in a generation rife with the necessity for change and knowing her story through my mother, I felt the urge to write what I have witnessed. While her life differs from other Indian women's, I utilized similarities and even parts not applicable to her to speak for progression in all areas of South Asian social life. This piece has allowed me to bridge the gap between my family, culture, and passion.