Detroit, Michigan, USA: Thanksgiving has grown into a deeply cherished tradition for our family in Michigan a day when we pause to appreciate life’s blessings, enjoy a shared meal, and bring together the warmth of our Indian heritage with the spirit of American gratitude.
Our day always starts on an energetic note. My wife, Sirisha, our daughter, Neha, and I head out for the Mighty Gobbler 5K Run, a local Thanksgiving race that has become part of our family routine. It’s our way to begin the holiday with joy, movement, and togetherness. After the run, we make a quick stop to drop off food donations at nearby shelters a small gesture of seva that reminds us to give before we gather.
Once we return home, the kitchen comes alive. Sirisha leads the culinary celebration, turning the traditional Thanksgiving spread into a flavorful blend of Indian and American dishes. The turkey is marinated the desi way with yoghurt, ginger-garlic, turmeric, red chilli powder, and garam masala. Alongside it, she prepares aromatic biryani, paneer tikka, cumin-spiced cranberry chutney with green chillies, and roasted vegetables with an Indian twist. For dessert, classic pumpkin pie shares the table with gulab jamun and sweet potato halwa.
By midday, our home fills with friends, neighbours, and international students who can’t travel home for the holidays. The atmosphere reflects our Indian-American identity: conversations shift between English, Hindi, and Telugu; children play freely; and adults trade stories about Diwali celebrations and Michigan winters. For many who join us, it’s their first time experiencing a Thanksgiving infused with Indian flavours and they absolutely enjoy it.
Before dinner, we take a quiet moment to express gratitude. Everyone shares something meaningful — family, opportunities, good health, or community. My own thoughts always circle back to my parents in India. They were farmers who taught me that real achievement lies in giving back, not just moving ahead. Their wisdom influences my approach to work, service, and leadership even today.
When Diwali falls near Thanksgiving, we place a diya on the dining table. It symbolises how two traditions, one rooted in thankfulness and the other in light, complement each other. Together, they reflect the beautiful merging of our two cultures.
As the evening ends, we pack leftovers of biryani with turkey, halwa with pie and send our guests home with delicious reminders of the day. Later, after everyone leaves, Sirisha, Neha, and I unwind together and share one last moment of gratitude before ending the night.
For us, Thanksgiving is a celebration of family, food, friendship, and faith a warm blend of the two homelands that shape who we are.
