About Us

The Middle India Co.

Hello, and welcome to our story!

I was born and raised in Hyderabad, India, and made the life-changing move to the United States at 19. Not long after arriving, I got married—and shortly after that, I found myself in the kitchen, trying to cook for the first time. It was a bit of a surprise to me, as I quickly discovered that I had little to no experience with cooking, nor did I know where to start. Even more surprising, I didn’t exactly enjoy it at first! So, what kept me going? Beyond the basic need to feed my new family, it was my love for hosting and my desire to bring joy to my husband.

My husband is a true foodie—passionate about good food and incredibly appreciative when a dish turns out well, even though in those early days, that wasn’t often the case! On the other hand, I wasn’t naturally a foodie, which made things a little more challenging. He became my toughest critic and biggest cheerleader in many ways.

It was during this time of trial and error that my father gave me an Indian cookbook, written in a language I couldn’t read, but one my husband could. I now see it as a brilliant move on his part—encouraging us to work together in the kitchen, and in doing so, strengthening our bond. My husband translated the recipes, explaining the nuances of Indian and Mughal dishes. I jotted down notes, asked my mother countless questions, and learned to improvise with the few ingredients we could find in those early years.

This marked the beginning of my journey—a journey that involved not just learning how to cook, but also adapting to a new culture and realizing the privilege of my new life in the United States, especially when compared to the hardships I had witnessed back home in India. The contrast between poverty and opportunity inspired me to want to make a difference.

It wasn’t until I read Banker to the Poor by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus that my aspirations took shape. Inspired by Yunus’ work, I knew I wanted to create a business that not only shared the flavors of India with others but also supported underprivileged communities in India. However, life had other plans. I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and just 11 months later, thyroid cancer. My dreams were temporarily set aside as I focused on healing.

As if that weren’t enough, a car accident left me with significant injuries to my neck and right hand, resulting in several surgeries, a plate, two rods, and 12 screws in my neck. But after years of recovery and therapy, I am once again ready to pursue my vision.

Today, I’m thrilled to have turned my long-held dream into reality: a socially conscious spice business that gives back. With every product you purchase, we contribute to efforts to feed hungry children in India—one meal at a time.

This journey has been filled with obstacles, but also with growth, gratitude, and a deep commitment to making a positive impact. Thank you for being part of our story!

 

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