Life, work, fashion and wellness with Ms. Pennsylvania America 2019

My Story

Drive like you mean to move forward, Live like you mean to get somewhere!! — Pink Monkey.

In 1998, I got my Bachelors in Dental Surgery (BDS) from KLE Dental College, Bangalore University, India. I got my Doctor Of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree in 2006 from NYU College of Dentistry, NY, NY. I have a Junior Diploma in Hindustani Classical Music and in Kathak form of Indian Classical dance from Prayag Sangeet Samiti in Allahabad, India. I have further honed my skills in Kathak under my Guruji Padmashree Shovana Narayan, disciple of Padma Vibhushan Pt. Birju Maharaj. Those are my three passions in life: giving my patients their smiles back, singing, and dancing.

My father is a retired Indian Army officer and my mother a teacher, Bharatnatyam dancer, and my lifestyle coach. Born in a Rajput family (royal lineage for 5000 yrs plus) and marrying into one too, service and duty towards the vulnerable or those who are not as fortunate is ingrained in me.

My father has fought many battles in the Indian Army and is a recipient of the Vishisht Seva Medal. From him I learned about moral courage—that it’s most important. He also taught me to be a free thinker, jog everyday, know basic martial arts for self defense and always stand tall, very tall and love unconditionally.

Mom was crowned Black Cat Institute’s Most Elegant Lady of the year in 1982 in Gangtok, Sikkim for her work in adult literacy, not to mention her timeless, ageless beauty. She spent the two years in the isolated mountains in Sikkim, India, educating the women who never got to go to school—most were spouses of soldiers. I helped her sort the inventory of books and pencils that would pour in from various sources to help. 

My life sways crazily and calmly between two continents. Three years ago, Mom was diagnosed with Leukemia. Her positivity, cheerfulness, strength and endurance has become part of her legacy. My mother passed away in November 2019, leaving an eternal void in my life. With my very best friend and my best cheerleader gone, I’m wading through grief to find my feet again. However, I also realize that she had given me so many gifts that are only developing wings now- through my role as a mother, in my business, and my growth as a woman, as she had meant them too but unbeknownst to me then. I miss my daily phone conversations with her and I will never be whole again without her laughter and encouragement but whatever is left of me, will do, because I have her in me.

Having spent some very impressionable growing up years in Sikkim and Kashmir, I feel PA was a near perfect place to settle down for me. I enjoy the mountains and how the change of seasons nudges you to overhaul your life periodically. My husband, my four human and one Irish Wolfhound  keep my after-work hours giddy with activities, chores, writing, and love. 

In my husband, I have found the love of my life. We are polar opposites and never cease to intrigue each other. We met by chance, fell in love unknowingly and stayed in love because of destiny and a strong desire to make it work. 

 My life is the entwining of all these relationships. 

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After staying in Pennsylvania for about twenty years, we moved to the Jersey Shore during the pandemic and hope to stay here for a long time.