Page 14 - Masala Lite Issue 176 August 2025

14 SPILL THE CHAI
Keeping

Cultural Voices
ALIVE

BY NINA PHICHITSINGH

t’s no secret—language is the thread that binds generations, weaving together
emotion, identity, and heritage. As parents raise the next generation in an
ever-evolving world, the desire to pass down cultural roots and philosophies
remains a powerful instinct. In this feature, I speak with six community members,
including parents and teachers, to explore how they preserve their mother tongue
and traditions, nurturing a sense of belonging in their children and students.

LAXSHMI SACHATHEP
Entrepreneur, MISB School Director

When my daughter Anoop was born, my
husband and I made a conscious decision:
her first words would be in Punjabi.
Though I was born and raised speaking
it, it’s my husband who speaks Punjabi
more fluently. His confidence became

my strength, and together we’ve created
a home where Punjabi is the heart of our
daily life.
Now two years old, Anoop already
understands and uses Punjabi for most
of her basic needs. It hasn’t been without
challenges. Living in Bangkok after spending some time in Canada, we found very few
children’s books or resources in Punjabi. I’ve had to turn to online videos and songs,
and lean on cousins and family members to keep her immersed in the language.
One unexpected issue we’ve encountered is in her early schooling. Anoop often
responds to her playgroup teacher in Punjabi—sweet, but confusing for her teacher
who doesn’t understand it. Still, I believe this is a temporary phase. English and Thai will
come naturally from school and surroundings. But Punjabi? That’s our responsibility.
We use Punjabi in every interaction, from asking for milk to sharing bedtime stories.
YouTube cartoons in Punjabi, and her mimicry of her older cousin sisters, have also
helped.
My biggest hope is that Anoop remains proud of who she is: Indian, Punjabi, and Sikh.
I want her to connect deeply with our traditions, understand Gurbani in its original
form, and never feel like a stranger to her roots. Punjabi is more than a language—it
is the essence of our heritage, echoing through our music, values, and spiritual roots. NAINA MANCHANDA
To other parents: don’t be afraid to lead with your mother tongue at home. The world Graduate Student, Substitute Teacher
will teach your child many things, but their roots, their language, must come from you.
Regardless of where we live, our culture and language remain an essential part of
HARSHPREET KAUR who we are. Growing up in Thailand, being immersed in Punjabi and Sikh traditions,
Digital Marketer I feel a strong desire to pass this heritage on to my daughters, Ashira and Samaira.

Fortunately, in California, we live near the Riverside Gurdwara, which offers a Khalsa
School every Sunday. The program teaches both the Punjabi language and Sikh culture.
Teaching our child Punjabi and Hindi is Not only did I enrol my daughters in the school, but I also joined as a volunteer teacher
our way of keeping him connected to his to be more involved in their learning journey and as a part of Sewa. Khalsa School

roots while giving him the gift of speaking offers a well-rounded experience.
more than one language. It’s not always Children learn shabads, explore Sikh history and values, and study Gurmukhi script.
easy—English dominates schools, screens, Each Sunday begins with a morning assembly where students sing shabads, starting
and daily life. with Deh Shiva —a shabad I fondly remember learning during my school days. They also
We often explain that language is about learn a new shabad each month. The principal shares information about upcoming
connecting with people and expressing Sikh events and encourages cultural connection. After the assembly, students are
yourself so if he learns more than one placed in appropriate academic levels, ranging from beginner to advanced. The
language, he can connect with more entire program is interactive and engaging, which keeps students, including my girls,
people. We keep it fun at home through excited to participate.
conversations, playful role plays (scenarios While I remain with the Baalwadi (beginner) class as a volunteer, my daughters move
like hailing a cab), and celebrating up a grade level each year. As the levels advance, the academic material becomes
moments when he proudly translates more challenging. The teachers conduct lessons entirely in Punjabi, using an accent

something for family members. rooted in Punjab, which differs from the accent I grew up with in Thailand. At times,
Alongside local weekend classes, books even I struggle to understand!
(Naveen Punjabi or Hindi stories), and My husband and I raise our daughters with the value of independence and encourage
movies (family-oriented Hindi and Punjabi them to make their own decisions. While there are times, they choose not to attend
films), we also make trips to India to class, they never miss the morning assembly. That alone speaks volumes about the
immerse him in the language naturally. connection they feel to their culture.

MASALA LITE ISSUE 176 - AUGUST 2025